Posts Tagged ‘child nutrition’
Proposed 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
The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Seafood
Take the stress out of planning and preparing family meals with seafood! Our partners at Seafood Nutrition Partnership have some quick tips to make sure your seafood meals turn out delicious every time.
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.
Read MoreInteractive State Policy Map and Handbook
Our partners at the National Farm to School Network (NFSN) have a fantastic resource to help you stay up to date on state-level policies related to child nutrition. Their interactive State Policy Map allows you to see what in your state/territory during the current legislative session for: Expanding Access for All Kids, Farm to School/Early Care and Education (ECE), Values-Aligned Food Procurement and Equitable Producer Support, Scratch Cooking, School Wellness, and Labor.
Read MoreFacilitators and Barriers to FCCH Enrollment in CACFP
In December 2022, the Indiana University CACFP Project Team released a report describing the facilitators and barriers to CACFP participation by family child care homes (FCCHs). The report concludes with suggestions for potential strategies to promote participation in the CACFP by FCCHs. The study was conducted in two states, Arizona and New York, that have varying levels of CACFP participation. The study outlines the facilitators and barriers to FCCHs’ enrollment in CACFP and recommends a few strategies to increase participation.
Read MoreSponsoring Organizations Well-Positioned to Apply for WIC Outreach Subgrants
Apply for WIC outreach funding! Sponsoring organizations are well placed to do great WIC outreach, as they have large networks of providers with whom they can disseminate WIC information. Providers will then have the information they need to share with the families they serve who may be eligible to participate in WIC.
Read MoreAdding Plant-Based Products to Your Menu
As plant-based products are becoming more popular among school-aged children, consider how you can incorporate them into your menu. Did you know that serving plant-based products can actually save you money while allowing you to provide a greater variety of food to those in your care? Our partners at the Humane Society of the United States have amazing resources to help you add more plant-based options to your menu!
Read MoreHealthy and Fresh at Home Cookbook
Start the New Year with healthy and nutritious meals for you and your family! Check out the Healthy and Fresh at Home Cookbook from our partners at Partnership for a Healthier America. The cookbook includes a variety of delicious and nutritious recipes that are perfect for anyone looking to live a healthier lifestyle.
Read MoreSafe Feeding Practices to Prevent Choking
Choking while eating can happen quickly and be very scary. Children 0-4years old are at the greatest risk of choking because they may not chew food properly. Want to make eating safer for young children in your care? Our partners at the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) have some great resources on how to decrease choking risks.
Read MoreHealthy Day Toolkit
With the start of the new year, many of us are looking to build healthier habits. Our partners at Alliance for a Healthier Generation want to encourage families to create a healthier home life. If you want to help families feel well, live well, and learn well, check out the Healthy Day Toolkit from Alliance for a Healthier Generation!
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