September 2025
Annual CACFP Training FY25
Tuesday, September 9 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern
Looking for in-depth CACFP training? Join us for a two-hour training where we will cover essential topics, including meal patterns, meal counts, claims submission, review procedures, recordkeeping requirements, monitoring protocols, the reimbursement system, Civil Rights, key updates in the CACFP, and answers to frequently asked questions using NCA's CACFP Meal Pattern Minutes.
New to CACFP? You will benefit from attending this training as this is a comprehensive overview of the requirements of participation.
Earn a certificate for 2.0 CEUs for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Best Practices: Working With Your Board
Thursday, September 11 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Learn how to effectively work with your Board of Directors. You will discover best practices for creating effective communication, running productive meetings and leading collaborative decision-making. Share your challenges and get your questions answered.
- Define clear roles and expectations.
- Establish strategies for effective communication.
- Learn techniques for overcoming board-related challenges.
Earn a certificate for 1.0 CEUs, Specialty 6 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Alexia Thex, MEd, Vice President of Policy, Partnerships and Events, National CACFP Association
Sweet Changes Ahead: Preparing for CACFP's Sugar Rules
Thursday, September 18 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Effective October 1, 2025, CACFP regulations are moving to ADDED sugar limits for breakfast cereals and yogurts. Be in the know on how to prepare for the transition and calculate the new added sugar limits. Learn what this means for product selection, menu planning, and staying in compliance, so you can confidently serve nutritious meals to children in your care.
- Learn how to use the Nutrition Facts Label to identify added sugars for breakfast cereals and yogurt.
- Evaluate breakfast cereals and yogurts to see if they meet the added sugars limit.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEUs, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Farm to CACFP Boot Camp
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 11:00 am - 5:15 pm
Get ready to grow your program from the ground up! Get equipped with the tools you need to successfully implement and grow Farm to CACFP initiatives. We’ll dive into the heart of Farm to CACFP with real stories, hands-on strategies and creative ideas to bring local food and learning into your care setting. From navigating procurement to sparking curiosity through agricultural education, you’ll gain the tools and inspiration to make a lasting impact in your community.
Why NCA Membership Matters
Tuesday, September 30, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm
Join us to explore how NCA membership provides trusted resources, expert support, and nationwide community. See firsthand why over 30,000 providers choose NCA to grow their programs with confidence and creativity.
- Understand the full range of benefits included with NCA membership, including professional development, advocacy, and access to CACFP-specific tools and resources.
- Learn how to implement the How Does Your Garden Grow? calendar and training program to enhance nutrition education and engagement throughout the year.
October 2025
Beyond Spaghetti: Explore the Pasta-bilities
Tuesday, October 7, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
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.
- Discover best practices for preparing and crediting different types of pasta in the CACFP.
- Get inspired with kid-approved, budget-friendly pasta recipes you can confidently add to your menus.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEUs, Specialty 1 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Super Snacks: Power Up Afterschool Supper
Thursday, October 9, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
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.
- Identify required meal components, serving sizes, and creditable foods for at-risk afterschool supper under CACFP guidelines
- Explore fun, nutritious super snack ideas that meet CACFP meal pattern standards and appeal to children in afterschool settings.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEUs, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Farm to CACFP Week
October 12-18, 2025
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 food-based 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.
Sprouting Success: Celebrate Farm to CACFP Week
Wednesday, October 15, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
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!
Join us to discover ways to grow your participation and access fresh ideas and resources for inspiration.
- Learn more about Farm to CACFP and how you can get involved.
- Access helpful resources to "sprout" your Farm to CACFP efforts.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 3 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Building Your CACFP Cycle Menu
Thursday, October 23, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
Menu planning is more than just demonstrating CACFP meal pattern compliance, it’s a tool for staying organized, meeting requirements, and supporting child nutrition. Learn how to create a practical and compliant cycle menu using USDA’s new resources, Let’s Make a Snack and It’s Breakfast Time. Find out what tools and strategies to use to build sample menus with confidence. Whether you're new to menu planning or looking to refresh your approach, you'll walk away with helpful tools and resources to make the process easier and more effective.
- Understand the benefits of using a cycle menu for organization, variety, and compliance.
- Walk through the steps of developing a cycle menu using USDA and NCA resources.
- Gain access to practical tools and templates to support CACFP meal pattern compliance.
Earn a certificate for 1.0 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
State Agency Collaboration
Tuesday, October 28 | 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 **
Why Participate in the CACFP? Discover the Power of the Food Program
Wednesday, October 29, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern and 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Eastern
Did you know that the CACFP provides nutritious meals and snacks to over 4.5 million children and adults every day? This program is more than a meal—it’s a powerful way to strengthen your program while making a meaningful difference in your community.
By participating in the CACFP, you can empower your program to serve healthy and nutritious meals, receive valuable reimbursement, and access a nationwide network of caregivers and resources. This not only helps enhance nutrition security but also makes your program more competitive by showing families your commitment to their well-being.
Join us to explore how the CACFP can transform your program and help you create a lasting impact on the children and families you serve!
Earn a certificate for 1.0 CEU, Specialty 7 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
November 2025
Diabetes: Food for Thought
Tuesday, November 4, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
With diabetes continuing to impact millions of children and adults across the country, understanding how nutrition plays a role in prevention and management is more important than ever. Get a foundational overview of the different types of diabetes and explore practical, evidence-based nutrition recommendations to support those living with the condition. Learn actionable insights to support healthy eating for all ages.
- Identify the key differences between Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
- Apply general nutrition principles, including the Diabetes Plate, to support healthy eating for individuals with diabetes.
Presented By: Stacey Krawczyk, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition & Wellness, American Diabetes Association
Why Certification Matters
Thursday, November 6, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Want to learn how to earn your CACFP professional designation—and why it matters? Join us for an overview of the CACFP Child Nutrition Professional (CCNP) and CACFP Management Professional (CMP) designations. You’ll hear from professionals who have earned their certification and learn firsthand why it matters to them. We’ll give a basic overview of the qualifications and how to apply. This is your chance to get inspired and take the next step towards certification!
Presented By: Blair Munday, Marketing Communications Specialist, National CACFP Association
Creditable or Not? Ask a Nutritionist
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Determining which foods are creditable in the CACFP can sometimes feel like a guessing game. Our Nutrition Education Specialists, Isabel and Melinda, can walk you through the ins and outs of the CACFP meal pattern. Bring your questions about what is and isn't creditable, and learn the reasoning behind each guideline to help you confidently serve meals that meet CACFP standards.
Presented By:
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
May 2026
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