Blog
First National ECE Workforce Center Launched
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced the launch of the new National Early Care and Education Workforce Center. The ECE Workforce Center is the result of a $30 million investment to support research and technical assistance for states, communities, territories, and Tribal Nations to improve the recruitment and retention of a diverse and qualified workforce across early care and education programs.
Read MoreImplementation Guidance: Summer 2023 Non-Congregate Meal Service in Rural Areas
The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, established a permanent non-congregate meal service option for rural areas with no congregate meal service available. This memorandum provides guidance on the administration and operation of non-congregate meal service in rural areas during summer 2023 for the SFSP.
Read MoreNCA CACFP Sponsoring Organization and Provider Member Advocacy Survey Report
In December 2022, NCA carried out a member survey to obtain feedback on policy issues and COVID-19 flexibilities from CACFP sponsoring organizations and providers. The results of the survey will be used to inform NCAs advocacy efforts moving forward.
Read MoreMeal Pattern Minute: Flavoring Milk
Can you add syrups to unflavored cow’s milk and have it be creditable?
Read MoreSNAP Emergency Allotments are Ending This Month
Soon, many SNAP households will experience a change to their benefit amounts. That’s because the temporary pandemic-related boost to SNAP benefits, known as emergency allotments (EA), will end at the beginning of March.
Read MoreStates, US Territories and Local Authorities Can Take Action by Issuing a Proclamation Declaring the 3rd Week of March (March 12-18, 2023) CACFP Week
States, US Territories and local authorities can bring recognition to the importance of the CACFP and its stakeholders by proclaiming the 3rd week of March as CACFP Week.
Read MoreMeal Pattern Minute: Serving Juice More Than Once Per Day
100% full-strength juice is reimbursable for the fruit component in the CACFP. But how many times per day are you allowed to serve it?
Read MoreFiscal 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.
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