2026 Virtual Sessions

April 13-17, 2026

Las Vegas, Nevada

CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food

Virtual Sessions

Not able to join us in Las Vegas? We're happy to once again provide a virtual option for the 2024 National Child Nutrition Conference. Attend the sessions live through Zoom, or watch them later on demand through May 15, 2026.

If you'll be joining us in Las Vegas, your registration fee also includes all virtual sessions, which you can attend onsite or watch on demand through May 15, 2026.

What's Included?

Every workshop block will have one session that will be identified as a hybrid onsite/virtual session. These will be streamed on Zoom, but in-person attendees are also welcome to attend the workshop live.
Select spotlight sessions will be live streamed as well. This includes the General Session, CACFP Creditable Resources for Professionals, CACFP Overview, SFSP Overview, the USDA CACFP Policy Update, and the USDA SFSP Policy Update.
NCA members will be emailed a private link to the NCA Annual Meeting.
There are also a number of virtual-only sessions. These include Navigating the Virtual Sessions and the Zoom Regional Networking Meeting.

Monday, April 13

On Demand Only | SFSP Overview

Unsure about what SFSP even means? Are you brand new to child nutrition food programs? Do you run one program and are thinking about sponsoring another? Learn how this summer food program provides healthy food access for children in child care, afterschool and out-of-school time during the summer months when school is out of session. ~ CEU Specialty 8, Beginner

Understand the basics of SFSP.
Identify the need for summer meals.
Learn the types of sites and how areas of eligibility are determined.

Presented by: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association

Tuesday, April 14

7:15 am - 7:45 am | Creditable Tools & Resources

Learn about the nutrition education resources which are available free-of-charge, including the guides for Identifying Whole Grain-Rich, determining sugar content in cereals and yogurt and which milk to serve in the CACFP. ~ CEU Specialty 3, Beginner

Learn where to find free nutrition education resources.
Discover different types of resources.
Learn how to apply nutrition education resources.

Presented by: Brittany Uribe, National CACFP Association

9:15 am - 10:15 am | CACFP Overview

You’re new-ish to the food program and concepts in the CACFP may not be as foreign to you, but you’d love to really explore the important areas in the CACFP. Join us as we review the meal patterns, identify basic program administration and get a refresher on how reimbursement works in the CACFP. ~ CEU Specialty 2, Beginner

Learn the basic requirements in administrative review.
Understand how CACFP reimbursement works.
Discuss the CACFP meal patterns.

Presented by: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association

On Demand | CACFP Certification Program Overview

Interested in learning more about how to earn the CACFP Management Professional or the CACFP Child Nutrition Professional designation? Join NCA board members to hear why the program was started, what the qualifications are and next steps to getting the certification complete. ~ Beginner

Presented by: Jennifer Basey, MEd, National CACFP Association

1:15 pm - 2:45 pm | National Conference General Session

What you do matters! When we all come together in one room with one focus, you can be sure you’ll leave knowing that your role is as important as any other in ensuring that all children will have access to healthy foods. This session is strategically planned with speakers who will motivate us and remind us why we work to support our nation’s most vulnerable populations.

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | USDA CACFP Policy Update

Hear from USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff as they present an overview of new and revised policy guidance for the Child and Adult Care Food Program and share a state-of-the-state update of the CACFP. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs including the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which is crucial to ensuring children have access to nutritious foods and where healthy eating becomes a habit. ~ CEU Specialty 7

Presented by: USDA Food and Nutrition Service Staff

Wednesday, April 15

8:00 am - 9:00 am | Maximizing Your Budget Through Menu Planning

Menu planning is more than just demonstrating CACFP meal pattern compliance, it’s a budgeting tool to control costs and efficiency. Learn practical methods to calculate food costs and share purchasing strategies that save money without sacrificing quality. Gain tips for making cost-effective swaps and reviewing menus for maximum value. ~ CEU Specialty 2, Beginner

Understand the benefits of using a cycle menu for budgeting and cost analysis.
Learn to calculate food costs for meals.
Get tips on purchasing strategies.

Presented by: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association

9:15 am - 10:15 am | From Scratch to Success: Creating Cycle Menus and CACFP-Ready Recipes

Ready to make menu planning easier and more exciting? Discover how to streamline cycle menus and craft CACFP-compliant recipes that deliver great taste, nutrition and efficiency. Learn key strategies for building balanced menus, adjusting recipes to meet requirements, and using production tools to boost compliance and strengthen your nutrition program. ~ CEU Specialty 2, Advanced

Identify strategies to streamline cycle menus and support compliance.
Understand how to standardize recipes for CACFP success.
Explore ways to boost kid appeal while maintaining nutrition and efficiency.

Presented by: Omar Saldivar, Neighborhood House Association

1:45 pm - 2:45 pm | Protecting Your Energy and Purpose in CACFP Work: The Power of No

Saying “no” isn’t selfish, it’s strategic. Strengthen boundary-setting, reduce burnout and reconnect with purpose. Examine real-world CACFP scenarios, reflect on personal values and apply practical tools to say “no” with confidence and clarity, making space to say “yes” to what matters most. ~ CEU Specialty 6

Understand how saying “yes” too often leads to burnout.
Learn to say “no” clearly while preserving trust and priorities.
Reclaim time and energy by realigning actions with your purpose.

Presented by: Shay Sanchez, Oregon Child Development Coalition

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Overcoming Challenges to Strengthen Your Food Program

Are you a seasoned child nutrition professional, new child care center owner, recent hire or newly promoted food program leader? It’s time to move beyond just maintaining your program. Learn to think strategically about federal reimbursements, sustainability and challenges like low enrollment, staffing, and food costs to keep your program strong and thriving. ~ CEU Specialty 4, Intermediate

Assess the current stability and sustainability of your program.
Identify goals that boost program efficiency and accountability.
Explore the steps needed to achieve long-term sustainability.

Presented by: Constance E. Moore, MA, MBA, CCNP, YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South

4:15 pm- 5:15 pm | Ultra-Processed Foods: Nutrition Quality in Policy and Practice

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are common in nutrition programs but are increasingly linked to negative health outcomes. Without a universal definition, classifying UPFs remains challenging. Review leading classification systems, explore recent evidence, understand the complexities around developing UPF policies and dietary guidance and learn how to assess and improve food quality in alignment with current evidence. ~ CEU Specialty 7, Intermediate

Understand various systems used to classify UPFs.
Apply research findings to assess food quality in programs.
Identify strategies to reduce UPF exposure.

Presented by:

Sonya Irish Hauser, PhD, MS, Associate Professor, Russell Sage College

Laura A. McClure, MPH, Assistant Professor, Russell Sage College

Thursday, April 16

8:00 am - 9:00 am | Oversight and Monitoring of the CACFP

Program monitoring is essential for ensuring that the federally funded child nutrition programs meet the requirements set forth in regulations, are operated with integrity, and provide nutritious meals and snacks to those who participate in the programs. Learn what is required federally from sponsoring organizations to fulfill this responsibility. ~ CEU Specialty 2, Beginner

Understand Federal monitoring requirements for CACFP sponsoring organizations.
Identify best practices for effective and efficient monitoring reviews.
Establish a monitoring plan and evaluate your current monitoring practices.

Presented by: USDA Food and Nutrition Service

9:15 am - 10:15 am | Food Explorers: Growing Adventurous Eaters

Learn to create positive and supportive mealtimes that help children develop healthy relationships with food. Discuss the benefits of maintaining the division of responsibility in feeding in child care settings and how to grow confident and adventurous eaters through supportive language, modeling and consistency. Help even the most reluctant eaters grow into competent eaters who enjoy a variety of foods! ~ CEU Specialty 1, Beginner

Understand how to apply the division of responsibility in child care settings.
Identify language and behaviors that help and hinder.
Describe non-mealtime activities that help grow adventurous eaters.

Presented by: Molly Turnquist Butala, MPH, RDN, LD, CMP, CCNP, Providers Choice

10:30 am - 11:30 pm | Local Food Procurement: Find the Best Fit for Your Site

Interested in purchasing local foods but unsure where to start? Explore local procurement methods and how to choose the route that best fits your program. Learn how the CACFP supports local purchasing, including incorporating garden-grown or donated produce. Gain the confidence to take the next step in your local food journey! ~ CEU Specialty 5, Beginner

Understand the various methods of local procurement in ECE.
Determine which purchasing method is best for your ECE program.
Identify your local purchasing goals and how to integrate them with the CACFP.

Presented by:

LaVanya Watkins, MEd, Ohio State University Extension

12:45 pm - 1:15 pm | Savoring Connection: Nurturing Community Through Our Kitchen

Learn how to create and cultivate connections with staff, children and families through nutrition and food-based fun! From simple "Guess What's In The Bag" activities to more in-depth classroom and take-home cooking projects, get inspired with ideas on how to build meaningful relationships and bonding experiences through food. ~ CEU Specialty 1

Explore ways to build staff connection and morale through nutrition.
Discover innovative approaches to connect with children through nutrition.
Identify opportunities to engage families using cooking and nutrition.

Jasmine Bumps, CCNP, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program - Educare Central Maine

1:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Quizapalooza: Are You a Meal Pattern Super Star?

Think you know the meal pattern like the back of your hand? From meal components to required serving sizes, substitutions and variations of the meal pattern by age groups, there is so much more to know beyond the basics. Test your knowledge, or learn something new, as we review a wide range of meal pattern topics through polls and interactive learning! ~ CEU Specialty 2, Beginner

Review exceptions in the CACFP meal pattern.
Identify foods that are not creditable in the CACFP.
Strengthen documentation practices to ensure compliance and audit readiness.

Presented by: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Association

2:45 pm - 3:45 pm | No Money, No Problem: Turning Scarcity into Innovation

When budgets are tight and resources scarce, innovation becomes essential. Hear real-world strategies for building strong child nutrition programs with little to no money. Learn how to stretch resources, leverage community partnerships and turn barriers into breakthroughs so kids thrive, even when funding is limited. ~ CEU Specialty 4, Beginner

Discover how to maximize impact with tight budgets and creative sourcing.
Learn to leverage partnerships to expand resources and support.
Understand how innovation and flexibility overcome scarcity challenges.

Presented by: Jodi Walker, Founder/CEO, Kids At Their Best

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm | USDA Summer Meal Programs Policy Update

Hear from USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff as they present an overview of new and revised policy guidance for the Summer Food Service Program and share a state-of-the-state update of the SFSP. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program, which is crucial to ensuring year-round access to foods for children.~ CEU Specialty 8

Presented by: USDA Food and Nutrition Service Staff