December 2025
Summer Food Conversation and Connections
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Join fellow NCA Members who are Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsors or operators for an engaging session of networking, collaboration and community building. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the SFSP, this virtual meet-up offers a space to share insights, spark ideas and strengthen connections.
Presented By: Alexia Thex, MEd, Vice President of Policy, Partnerships, and Events, National CACFP Association
Not yet a member? Learn more about NCA Membership today!
Head Start Boot Camp
Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Discover how nutrition and CACFP regulations work hand in hand with Head Start programs to support children and families. From infant feeding to family style dining, these sessions will give you practical tools and fresh inspiration to strengthen your program. Walk away with strategies you can apply right away to build healthier habits and brighter futures in Head Start.
Members-Only Meetup: Connect. Collaborate.Â
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 | Please plan to join us at your region's designated time.
Join us for an exclusive members-only virtual networking event. Through Zoom Meetings, you will have the opportunity to engage with professionals in your region and within your job type, allowing you to network with peers who understand your specific challenges and opportunities. Whether you are an administrator, provider, sponsor, or involved in any other capacity in the CACFP, share your experiences and expand your professional network in this convenient online setting.
Exclusive to Members Only | Free
Not yet a member? Click here to learn more about NCA membership!
Moderated By: Lisa Mack, President/CEO, National CACFP Association
Medical Statements: Updates and Guidance
Thursday, December 18, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Get a refresher on when medical statements are required in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and how to properly implement them. With the 2025 USDA regulation update, Registered Dietitians (RDs) are now authorized to sign medical statements for meal accommodations, making it easier for operators to support safe and nutritious meals for participants with special dietary needs. This session will equip attendees with practical strategies to apply the new rule and recognize the benefits of involving RDs in meal planning.
- Learn the required components of a CACFP medical statement.
- Understand how updates to the medical statement involve Registered Dietitians.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
January 2026
Milk in the CACFP Q&A
Friday, January 9, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Celebrate National Milk Day with our nutrition education team! Isabel & Melinda are ready to answer NCA members’ most pressing questions about serving milk in the CACFP. From types of milk and required portion sizes to milk allergies and creditable substitutions, every question is welcome!Â
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
Moderated by: Brittany Uribe, Senior Event Specialist, National CACFP AssociationÂ
Build Your Path to Certification
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Make 2026 the year you commit to professional growth! Discover upcoming events, explore on-demand learning opportunities and start mapping out your path to certification as we guide you through the application process. Start the year strong with a clear plan to earn your CACFP Professional designation!
Presented By: Jennifer Basey, MEd, Certification Program Administrator, National CACFP Association
Learn more about how to join this exceptional group of CACFP professionals!
Crediting Recipes Step-by-Step
Thursday, January 15, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm Eastern
New to crediting recipes for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)? This beginner-friendly session breaks down the process using a real recipe submitted by a CACFP operator. Through a step-by-step walkthrough, participants will learn how to identify creditable components, use essential tools, and document meal contributions accurately. Whether working in a family child care home, center-based program, or emergency shelter, this session offers practical guidance and resources to build confidence in recipe crediting.
- Understand the purpose of recipe crediting and identify key components required for CACFP compliance.
- Analyze a recipe to credit each component using USDA tools and resources.
- Identify common errors in recipe crediting and learn strategies to avoid them.
Earn a certificate for 1.0 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Summer Meals Spotlight
Thursday, January 22 | 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Eastern
Discover how your organization can help close the summer nutrition gap through USDA’s SUN Meals, also known as the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). SUN Meals provides free meals and snacks to children ages 0–18 in schools, parks and community sites, with non-congregate options supporting rural communities. Hear from experienced partners, get practical tips, and access resources to strengthen or launch your program next summer.
Supporting Emotional Well-Being with Sesame Street in Communities
Monday, January 26, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
A new year brings new beginnings, and a wonderful chance to refocus on the emotional well-being for those in our care. Join Sesame Street in Communities to explore free resources that help children name big feelings, build healthy coping skills, and strengthen bonds with the caring adults around them. Through videos, storybooks, and hands-on activities with your favorite Sesame Street friends, you’ll discover joyful ways to nurture emotional health and bring more calm, confidence and connection into your daily routines.
- Identify key Sesame Street in Communities resources that promote emotional well-being for young children and caregivers.
- Apply strategies and activities to help children recognize emotions, build coping skills, and strengthen resilience.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 3 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: Antonio Freitas, MST, Sr. Director, Educational Experiences, Sesame Workshop
State Agency Collaboration
Tuesday, January 27 | 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 **
February 2026
Navigating Afterschool Snack and Supper Service
Thursday, February 5, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, the National School Lunch Program's snack service will follow the same meal pattern requirements as the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). With operators now utilizing the CACFP snack meal pattern, it's a good time to consider CACFP supper service as well. Join us for a fun, practical session that breaks down what’s required and how to make it work for your program. Learn the key differences between snack and supper services, discover creative ways to meet meal pattern requirements, and get inspired with kid-approved menu ideas. Whether you’re a school, sponsor, or afterschool site, you’ll leave ready to serve nutritious meals that kids enjoy while keeping your program compliant.
- Understand the key differences between NSLP and CACFP snack and supper meal pattern requirements, eligibility, and operations.
- Leave with the Program Comparison Resource produced in partnership by the National CACFP Association and the School Nutrition Association, and ideas to serve snacks and/or suppers that kids will love.
Earn a certificate for 0.5 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By:
Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
Alexia Thex, MEd, Vice President of Policy, Partnerships, and Events, National CACFP Association
Grains Essentials: Creditable Grains, Whole Grain-Rich and Grain Ounce Equivalents
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 | 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm Eastern
Let's talk about grains! Learn what creditable and non-creditable grains are in the CACFP, how to identify whole grain-rich, and how to calculate grain ounce equivalents in recipes and pre-packaged grain products to meet CACFP grain requirements for the age(s) you are serving.
- Differentiate between creditable and non-creditable grains in the CACFP.
- Learn the six methods for identifying whole grain-rich.
- Calculate grain ounce equivalents to know how much to serve.
Earn a certificate for 2.0 CEU, Specialty 2 for attending this Zoom webinar.
Presented By: 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