November 2025
Annual CACFP Training FY26
Thursday, November 13, 2025 | 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.
Presented By: Isabel Ramos Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, Senior Nutrition Education 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
Fridge Finds & Fun Fixes
Thursday, November 20, 2025 | 2:00 pm - 2:30 pm Eastern
Explore creative and practical ways to use leftovers during the holiday season while reducing food waste. Come get six recipes highlighting how to transform common holiday foods into new dishes. Learn about dishes inspired by cultural celebrations, like tamale stuffing and latkes! Get tips about safe food storage, freezing, and reheating methods to keep meals delicious and safe to eat.
- Apply strategies and recipes for repurposing holiday leftovers.
- Identify safe methods for leftover foods to reduce waste while maintaining food safety.
Presented By:Â Melinda Nguyen, MS, RDN, LD, Nutrition Education Specialist, National CACFP Association
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.
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
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 in Schools and At-Risk Afterschool Sites
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
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