April 13-17, 2026
Las Vegas, Nevada
CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food
Schedule of Events
Registration for the conference includes all hybrid onsite/virtual sessions, both live and on-demand, through May 15, 2026.
Schedule is subject to change. ^ Pre-Registration Required * By Invitation Only
All times below are listed in Pacific Time.
For Virtual-Only Attendees
April 8, 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern | Navigating the Virtual Sessions
April 8, 2:45 pm - 3:15 pm Eastern | Virtual Meet & Greet
Monday, April 13, 2026
| Onsite Sessions | Hybrid Onsite/Virtual Sessions | ||
| 8:00 am - 11:30 am | National CACFP Association Board Meeting* | ||
| 8:00 am - 7:00 pm | Registration & Information Desk Open | ||
| 10:00 am - 1:00 pm | Preconference Academy^ | ||
| 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm | Partner Meeting* | ||
| 12:45 pm - 1:30 pm | Industry Partner Exclusive* (for NCA Industry Partners Only) | ||
| 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm | Navigating the Conference Q&A | ||
| 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm | Afterschool Meals Overview & Leadership Lab: Goal Setting That Fuels You and Your Organization | ||
| 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | State Agency Collaboration* | ||
| 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Professional Headshots | ||
| 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Preconference Academy^ | ||
| 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm | SFSP Overview & Leadership Lab: Level Up Your Leadership Skills for 2026 | ||
| 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm | Professional Networking Strategies & Tips | ||
| 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Regional Networking | ||
| 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm | President's Reception* | ||
| On Demand Only | SFSP Overview |
Tuesday, April 14, 2026
| Onsite Sessions | Hybrid Onsite/Virtual Sessions | ||
| 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | Registration & Information Desk Open | ||
| 7:15 am - 7:45 am | Creditable Tools & Resources | Creditable Tools & Resources | |
| 8:00 am - 9:00 am | Group Meetups | ||
| 9:15 am - 10:15 am | CACFP Overview | CACFP Overview | |
| 9:00 am - 12:00 pm | Preconference Academy^ | ||
| 9:00 am - 1:00 pm | Exhibit Hall Open | ||
| 10:30 am - 11:00 am | CACFP Certification Program Overview | CACFP Certification Program Overview (On Demand) | |
| 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Coffee Break in Exhibit Hall | ||
| 11:00 am - 12:30 pm | State Agency Office Hours | ||
| 1:15 pm - 2:45 pm | National Conference General Session | National Conference General Session | |
| 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Featured Speakers | USDA CACFP Policy Update | |
| 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | Exhibit Hall Open | ||
| 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm | 40th Anniversary Celebration Reception |
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
| Onsite Sessions | Hybrid Onsite/Virtual Sessions | ||
| 6:00 am - 6:45 am | Fire Up Your Fitness: All-Level Bootcamp | ||
| 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | Registration & Information Desk Open | ||
| 7:00 am - 8:00 am | Continental Breakfast, Coffee & Conversation | ||
| 7:15 am - 7:45 am | Shop Talks | ||
| 8:00 am - 9:00 am | Workshops Session One | Maximizing Your Budget Through Menu Planning | |
| 9:15 am - 10:15 am | Workshops Session Two | From Scratch to Success: Creating Cycle Menus and CACFP-Ready Recipes | |
| 9:30 am - 12:30 pm | Exhibit Hall Open | ||
| 10:30 am - 11:00 am | National CACFP Association Annual Member Meeting* | ||
| 10:30 am - 1:00 pm | Professional Headshots | ||
| 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm | Lunch | ||
| 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm | Workshops Session Three | Protecting Your Energy and Purpose in CACFP Work: The Power of No | |
| 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Workshops Session Four | Overcoming Challenges to Strengthen Your Food Program | |
| 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm | Workshops Session Five | Ultra-Processed Foods: Nutrition Quality in Policy and Practice | |
| 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm | Shop Talks |
Thursday, April 16, 2026
| Onsite Sessions | Hybrid Onsite/Virtual Sessions | ||
| 6:00 am - 6:45 am | Mindful Moves: All-Level Yoga Session | ||
| 7:00 am - 6:00 pm | Registration & Information Desk Open | ||
| 7:00 am - 8:00 am | Continental Breakfast, Coffee & Conversation | ||
| 7:15 am - 7:45 am | Rise & Dine: RD Networking Breakfast* | ||
| 7:15 am - 7:45 am | Shop Talks | ||
| 7:15 am - 7:45 am | RD Meet-Up* | ||
| 8:00 am - 9:00 am | Workshops Session Six | Oversight and Monitoring of the CACFP | |
| 9:15 am - 10:15 am | Workshops Session Seven | Food Explorers: Growing Adventurous Eaters | |
| 10:30 am - 11:30 am | Workshops Session Eight | Local Food Procurement: Find the Best Fit for Your Site | |
| 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Lunch | ||
| 12:45 pm - 1:15 pm | Workshops Session Nine- Speed Sessions | Savoring Connection: Nurturing Community with Our Kitchen | |
| 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Workshops Session Ten | Quizapalooza: Are You a Meal Pattern Super Star? | |
| 2:45 pm - 3:45 pm | Workshops Session Eleven | No Money, No Problem: Turning Scarcity into Innovation | |
| 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | Featured Speakers | USDA Summer Meals Program Policy Update | |
| 5:15 pm - 5:45 pm | Shop Talks |
Friday, April 17, 2026
| Onsite Sessions | Hybrid Onsite/Virtual Sessions | |
| 8:00 am - 10:00 am | Postconference Academy^ | |
| 8:15 am - 8:45 am | Rising Leaders Coffee & Conversations | |
| 9:00 am - 10:00 am | More About the CACFP: Ask Us Anything! | |
| 10:15 am - 11:15 am | CACFP Professionals Certification Q&A | |
| 10:30 am - 12:30 pm | Postconference Academy^ | |
| 11:30 am - 12:30 pm | CACFP Meal Pattern Exceptions |
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