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Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Reallocation of State Administrative Expense (SAE) Funds in Child Nutrition Programs
USDA released guidance to provide the information needed to conduct the FY 2023 reallocation of State Administrative Expense (SAE) funds. Reallocation is a formal process by which State agencies can: (1) request additional SAE funds above their initial authorized funding level; or (2) return SAE funds they do not need. All State agencies must submit an SAE Funds Reallocation Report (FNS-525) to their respective USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Regional office by March 20, 2023, even if the State agency is neither requesting nor returning funds.
Read MoreReimbursement for Meals and Snacks Served at Child and Adult Care Food Program Emergency Shelters after the Public Health Emergency Ends
During the pandemic, emergency shelters participating in the CACFP were temporarily allowed to claim reimbursement for meals and snacks served to individuals under the age of 25. The Food and Nutrition Service announced that these temporary authorized reimbursements are expected to end on May 11, 2023, concurrent with the expiration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Read MoreOffsite Monitoring of the Child and Adult Care Food Program and School Meal Programs After the Public Health Emergency Ends
The Administration has announced that the plan is for the COVID-19 public health emergency to expire on May 11, 2023. In the event that the emergency ends, on June 10, 2023 nationwide onsite monitoring waivers will expire and onsite monitoring requirements for CACFP will be in effect.
Read MoreFree Webinar Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP and SFSP Meal Patterns
The USDA released a document with proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns in order to be consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We’re partnering with USDA and other organizations to host a webinar on how these proposed changes would impact the CACFP and SFSP. After the webinar, we’ll be hosting our own Q&A session for our NCA members and their feedback.
Read MoreScholarship Recipients Announced for #NCNC23
Fifteen scholarships have been awarded from the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for the 2023 National Child Nutrition Conference. Through the scholarship program, NCA is honored to recognize the professionals who are dedicated to ensuring that our nation’s most vulnerable populations have access to nutritious food.
Read MoreFive Valentine’s Day Ideas for CACFP Providers
It’s customary to hand out Valentine’s Day cards to those we care about. Here’s our Valentine note for you!
Read MoreMeal Pattern Minute: Vegan Cheese
Plant-based diets are growing in prevalence, and there are tons of great vegan options to serve in the CACFP, like tofu, tempeh, nuts and legumes. Does vegan cheese fit into the CACFP meal pattern?
Read MoreProposed Rule: Revisions to Meal Patterns to be Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans
The USDA released a document with proposed revisions to Child Nutrition Programs’ meal patterns in order to be consistent with the 2020 dietary guidelines for Americans. Key proposed changes that affect CACFP include:
1. New “added sugar” standards for breakfast cereals and yogurts
2. Flavored milk restrictions, dependent on age-group
3. Vegetables can be substituted for grains in programs that primarily serve American Indian or Alaska Native children
4. Nuts and seeds may credit for the full meat/meat alternate component
5. Terminology Changes
Meal Pattern: Crediting Yogurt as Fluid Milk
Yogurt – does it credit as a meat/meat alternate or a fluid milk?
Read MoreExperiences of Early Child Care and Education Operators During the Pandemic
In December 2022, the Indiana University CACFP Project Team released a report describing the child nutrition and care provision experiences among early care and education (ECE) stakeholders, sponsors, and center directors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was conducted in four states and a variety of ECE stakeholders participated. The study identifies six common experiences among ECE stakeholders during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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