Learning Center
Sprouting Success: Celebrate Farm to CACFP
Farm to CACFP Week is October 12-18, 2025! NCA is excited to help you celebrate with resources to get you started. Wondering how to participate? It can be as simple as sharing a newsletter with parents, planning an educational activity with your kids, or creating an interactive experience like starting a garden. Chances are, you’re already doing something that ties into Farm to CACFP!
Read MoreLittle Sprouts, Big Lessons: Farm to Early Education ($)
Nutrition and agriculture education represent one of the three core elements of Farm to ECE. Explore fun and engaging activity ideas along with best practices for bringing food-based learning into your early childhood program. Discover free resources to help you implement these hands-on learning experiences with ease.
Read MoreCooking Up Local Goodness ($)
Discover how to enhance your CACFP menu planning by integrating fresh, locally sourced foods into nutritious and appealing meals. Learn smart strategies for menu development, seasonal planning, and creative ingredient swaps that make the most of local grains, meats, eggs, dairy, fruits, and vegetables.
Read MoreSowing Success: Real Stories & Strategies in Farm to CACFP ($)
We’re bringing together voices from the field to share how Farm to CACFP works in real-world settings. Hear from a provider, sponsoring organization, and State agency as they discuss their journeys, challenges, and best practices for implementing and sustaining local food efforts. Listen to practical insights and inspiring stories to help you grow your own Farm to CACFP operation.
Read MoreFind Your Farmer: Enrich Farm to ECE Through Producer Relationships ($)
Farm to ECE enhances community access to healthy and local foods by changing food purchasing practices, elevating food and agricultural education, and strengthening local food economies. Explore the National Farm to School Network’s role in supporting ECE programs, steps for connecting with local producers for procurement and innovative approaches to food purchasing.
Read MoreCultivating Funding for Farm to CACFP: Strategies and State Support ($)
Discover how to leverage CACFP reimbursement and State support for Farm to CACFP. Learn about allowable costs, reimbursement rules and how to apply geographic preference when sourcing local foods. Hear about effective strategies, State strategies and gather ideas on how to collaborate for success.
Read MoreRooted in Purpose: What is Farm to CACFP? ($)
Let’s kick things off with a deep dive into the Farm to CACFP movement. Learn how connecting local farms to child and adult care programs supports nutrition, education and local economies. Hear inspiring success stories and receive a roadmap for getting started.
Read MoreBeyond Spaghetti: Explore the Pasta-bilities ($)
Pasta is more than just a pantry staple—it’s a versatile, budget-friendly ingredient that kids love and CACFP providers can use creatively across meals and snacks. We’ll explore practical strategies for preparing pasta across a variety of recipes, including how and when to cook it depending on the dish. Join us and learn the many ways you can confidently use pasta in your menus while staying aligned with CACFP guidelines.
Read MoreSuper Snacks: Power Up Afterschool Supper
When the school day ends and the adventure begins, Super Snack swoops in to save the day! We will walk you through the CACFP supper meal pattern requirements and show you how to create “Super Snacks” that are both creditable and kid-approved. Learn how to build balanced, colorful and exciting meals that meet guidelines and keep children energized after school.
Read MoreWords Matter: Empower and Motivate Health with Facts ($)
Nutrition is a multi-billion-dollar industry with no shortage of information available to the average person. Unfortunately, not all of that information is factual or helpful. Learn ways to effectively provide factual and empowering nutrition messages at your facilities that can make lasting positive change.
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