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Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
2026-02
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Alaska Department of Education and Early Development
Division of Finance and Support Services
Child Nutrition Programs
P.O. Box 110500
Juneau, AK 99811 |
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Subscription Management
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This newsletter contains hyperlinks to information created and maintained by other public and private organizations. These links are provided for the reader’s convenience. DEED does not control or guarantee the accuracy, relevance, timeliness, or completeness of this outside information. Furthermore, the inclusion of links is not intended to reflect their importance, nor is it intended to endorse any views expressed, or products or services offered, on these sites, or the organizations sponsoring the sites.
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USDA Policy, Information, and Implementation Memos |
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Sponsoring organizations and institutions are required by regulation to keep Bulletins, Instructions, and USDA Policy Memorandums for reference and to apply immediately the appropriate instruction to agency programs. The latest policy memos are found on the USDA FNS policy page. Call Child Nutrition Programs if you need further clarification.
There are no new policy memos at this time.
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Additional Topics
Staffing Change
- The Department of Education & Early Development (DEED) is saying goodbye to Gavin Northey, who has served as Program Manager of the Child Nutrition team since January 2023. His last day is today, December 19, 2025.
- Stepping into the role is Adrianne Schwartz (schwartz@alaska.gov), who brings many years of experience from her work on DEED’s ESEA Federal Programs Team and as the Juneau School District’s Food Service Director.
Please join us in saying goodbye and thank you to Gavin and in welcoming Adrianne!
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Updated Procurement Thresholds and Updated Financial Management Training
Procurement thresholds administered under Federal awards were increased to the following starting October 1, 2025:
- Federal micro-purchase threshold - increased from $10,000 to $15,000 and;
- Federal simplified acquisition threshold (formerly known as the Federal small purchase threshold) - increased from $250,000 to $350,000.
State agencies and program operators are reminded to continue referencing Federal procurement regulations at 2 CFR 200, which cite the above regulations.
SFSP Turnip the Beet Awards
Nominations to USDA-FNS’ Turnip the Beet Awards are open until January 23, 2026. These awards recognize outstanding summer meal program sponsors across the nation who work hard to offer nutritious, high quality meals to children during the summer months.
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Resources
Mealtime Memo: Preventing Lead Poisoning
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Learn more about lead poisoning and how to prevent it through the December issue of Mealtime Memo, a monthly newsletter from the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). Mealtime Memo is focused on nutrition and wellness in child care settings and provides research-based best practices for planning, preparing, and/or serving nutritious, safe, and child-friendly meals in child care settings operating the CACFP.
You can subscribe on the ICN page to receive the monthly Mealtime Memo newsletter and other updates.
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Q&A: Milk in the CACFP Q&A
The National CACFP Association (NCA) is hosting a Q&A on Milk on January 9, 2026. Subject matter experts will be on hand 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!
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On behalf of the Child Nutrition Programs team at the Department of Education & Early Development, thank you very much for all the work that you do to feed nutritious meals to the children and adults in your communities. We look forward to working with you all again next year!
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Contact Us
Child and Adult Care Food Program
School Meals
Summer Meals
Food Distribution Program
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
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Farm to School
The Emergency Food Assistance Program
Child Nutrition Grants
Child Nutrition Financial Management
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USDA Nondiscrimination Statement (English)
In accordance with Federal law and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency), sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language) should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY).
To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be obtained online at AD-3027 (PDF, 351 KB), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (OASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
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