March 2026
Hot Topics in Food & Nutrition: Processed Foods
Tuesday, March, 31, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Ultra-processed foods are dominating nutrition headlines and raising questions for CACFP operators. Join the International Food Information Council for a practical, research-based session informed by the latest consumer insights. We’ll explore how ultra-processed foods fit into current nutrition discussions, what consumers really understand and how to address these concerns when they come up with families and staff. Leave feeling empowered to address ultra-processed food questions with confidence and credibility.
- Identify common misconceptions and consumer perceptions about ultra-processed foods using research and resources from the International Food Information Council.
- Apply practical communication strategies to confidently address questions about ultra-processed foods and nutrition trends with families and staff in CACFP operations.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 1 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Alyssa Pike, RDN, Senior Manager of Food Safety & Nutrition Communications, Food & Nutrition International Food Information Council
April 2026
The Tool 30,000+ Providers Count On
Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
There’s a reason more than 30,000 providers turn to this resource every year.
Get ready as we reveal NCA’s 2027 Nutrition Calendar & Training Program: Healthy Planet, Healthy Kids.
Discover practical ways to bring sustainability and wellness into your CACFP operation while supporting healthy habits that last a lifetime. Explore nutrition education, physical activities, business tips, training modules, parent resources, recordkeeping tools, and more, all designed to help children thrive while caring for the world they'll grow up in.
Join us for an inside look at the 2027 edition and walk away with fresh ideas to inspire your program, empower families, and create meaningful change through everyday actions.
Presented By: Jennifer Basey, MEd, Certification Program Administrator, National CACFP Association
2026 National CACFP Association Annual Meeting
Wednesday, April 15, 2026 | 10:30 am - 11:00 am Eastern
Free for NCA Members Only
Members of the National CACFP Association are invited to attend our annual meeting to learn about where the organization is today and find out what we have planned for the future. Our mission is to provide you with education resources, training opportunities, and guidance on federal program policies.
This session will be held live in-person at the National Child Nutrition Conference in Las Vegas, NV with a virtual option on Zoom as an added benefit.
Milk Alternatives Made Simple
Thursday, April 30, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Not all “milk” is created equal. We’ll break down what types of milks are creditable in the CACFP, what meets the nutrition profile for cow’s milk and why some popular non-dairy drinks don’t make the cut. You’ll learn how different dairy milks fit into the food program and how age requirements play a role. Feel confident choosing the right options and serving milk (and alternatives) that nourish kids and older adults while meeting CACFP requirements.
- Identify which types of milk are creditable in the CACFP by age group.
- Evaluate milk substitutes by using the nutrition profile for cow’s milk and Nutrition Facts label to determine creditability.
This session offers a helpful introduction to milk substitutions, with even more in-depth training on special diets and meal modifications coming Wed, June 17th in our Special Diets Boot Camp. Details coming soon...
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 1 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
May 2026
Provider Day
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Eastern
In celebration of Provider Appreciation Month and the 40th anniversary of the National CACFP Association, we’re taking a moment to celebrate you: the child care providers who make a difference every single day.
Together, we’ll explore easy menu ideas, playful ways to turn everyday meals into opportunities for learning and movement, and helpful resources designed with providers in mind. It’s a chance to connect, feel appreciated and pick up simple ideas you can use right away!
Earn a certificate for 2.5 CEU, for attending these Zoom webinars.
Annual CACFP Training FY26
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern
Get a comprehensive review of the essential components of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Explore key topics including meal patterns for all meal types, meal counts, claims submission, review procedures, recordkeeping requirements, monitoring protocols and the reimbursement system. The training also covers Civil Rights compliance, recent updates in CACFP guidance, including learning how to calculate added sugars in yogurt and breakfast cereals.
Annual CACFP Training is based on federal guidelines and will not cover state specific additional training requirements.
*Please check with your Sponsor or State Agency to confirm if this training meets your annual training requirement.
Earn a certificate for 2.0 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Root to Fruit: What Grows Where?
Wednesday, May 27, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Gardens come in all shapes and sizes, from backyard beds to windowsill jars. Each one offers a unique way to grow delicious, nutritious foods. Discover how different gardening methods support every part of a plant, from root to fruit. Learn how to match plants with the best growing method to make gardening fun, flexible, and full of flavor—no matter how much space you have.
- Learn about different gardening methods.
- Compare the benefits and limitations of various gardening methods for growing different types of plants.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 3 for attending this Zoom webinar.
*FREE with promo code inside the 2026 How Does Your Garden Grow calendar
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
June 2026
Infants in the CACFP Q&A
Thursday, June 25, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Got questions about feeding infants in the CACFP? We’ve got answers! Join our nutrition education specialists, Melinda and Isabel, for a members-only Q&A where no question is too small. Bring your curiosity and leave feeling confident in caring for your littlest participants.
Exclusive to Members Only
Presented By:
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Brittany Uribe, Senior Event Specialist, National CACFP Association
July 2026
State Agency Collaboration
Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Learn about the newest NCA resources, hear about what's happening in CACFP policy, get advocacy updates, and provide feedback about how we can support you (and your operators) in your work with USDA child nutrition programs.
** Invitations for this event will be sent out to State Agency Directors and State Agency NCA Members who work in the CACFP **
Email policy@cacfp.org for more information.
October 2026
Farm to CACFP Week
October 18-24, 2026
Farm to CACFP Week is a national education campaign hosted annually during the third week of October by the National CACFP Association. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting child and adult care sponsors and operators with local foods. Through local food procurement, gardening activities and agriculture education, Farm to CACFP leverages CACFP funding to help incorporate local foods into the nutritious CACFP meal pattern thus strengthening community food systems and supporting positive health outcomes for those in care.