CACFP Updates for 3/16/2018: USDA Comment Period Extended; New Recipes; FBG Mobile App; CACFP Conference; Team Nutrition Message and Resources: 5210 Posters; Farm to CACFP Survey; Grant
FY 2018 Bureau Notes - March 16, 2018
Bureau updates will be posted here. This may take a few days.
USDA News
USDA Seeks Public Input on Child Nutrition Food Crediting
USDA has extended the deadline to April 23 for the public to submit comments on food crediting. Electronic comments are preferred and may be submitted by clicking here. Crediting is the system that defines what foods can be served in CACFP meals.
New Standardized Recipes for CACFP
USDA has released 40 recipes for use in the CACFP. Team Nutrition developed the recipes in response to requests from State agencies, CACFP sponsoring organizations, and our partners for recipes that reflect a variety of cultures. The set of globally-inspired recipes are standardized to yield 6, 25, and 50 servings and include information on how the recipes credit towards CACFP meal pattern requirements.
Food Buying Guide Mobile App Now Available in Apple App Store and Google Play Store
- Search and navigate food yields
- Compare food yields to decide the best food to purchase
- Create a favorite foods list
- Email and print search results, comparisons, and favorite foods list
- Find CN Program-specific information for meeting meal pattern requirements
- Get information related to food purchasing
- See resources on meal pattern requirements and menu planning
Bureau of Nutrition News
CACFP Conference agenda features topics on the new meal pattern, infant feeding, and creating a healthy mealtime environment. USDA regional office nutritionists and the DMACC child care chef will be among the guest speakers. Attendance is strongly recommended but not required. Come sample USDA recipes on both days, get the latest CACFP resources, and network with your colleagues from around the State.
April 24: Pre-Conference - CACFP Basics
For new center directors and other interested staff. April 24, 1-4 pm, Grimes State Office Building, Room B-100.
Location: Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 East 14th St, Room B100, Des Moines, IA (Parking across the street in lot 16)
April 25-26, 2018 - Leading the Way – Healthy Habits for a New Generation
For CACFP center and home sponsor staff. Location: Hope Lutheran Church, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA
Click here to register (you must register for each day you plan to attend). There is no charge to attend. Deadline: April 13.
A limited number of rooms are reserved for April 24 and 25 at SpringHill Suites at a discounted rate ($99.00) effective until March 25. Call 515-223-9005 and mention “CACFP Conference” or click here. The hotel is located at 1236 Jordan Creek Parkway, West Des Moines, IA 50266, a few blocks from the conference.
Questions: contact Janelle.Loney@iowa.gov (515)281-5356. If you cannot attend after registering, contact Janelle by April 20 to adjust the food order. If you send a substitute, provide their name so we can have a certificate ready.
Team Nutrition
A message to Center Directors from Patti Delger, Team Nutrition Co-Director:
"I wanted to invite you to check out the new Iowa CACFP Facebook page at #IowaCACFP. The Facebook page will help childcare provide an environment that supports healthy eating and physical activity for children and staff. Please share the link with your staff! I would love to have you and your staff "like" and/or "follow" the #IowaCACFP page. And if you have a Facebook page, please share the link with me, or send me photos and posts to share at #IowaCACFP
Team Nutrition will be sharing the Healthy Habits Start Early project application for centers, which includes a $400 stipend for wellness environment changes at the April 24-26 CACFP Conference.
I look forward to seeing you all at the conference and thanks for following #IowaCACFP."
Patti
New Iowa Team Nutrition Resources
Menu Planning Checklist with Best Practices
Iowa 5210 - Healthy Choices Count! is a health-focused movement for kids under the nationally recognized obesity prevention program, 5-2-1-0. It features the importance of four simple daily health habits:
- 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables;
- 2 hours or less of screen time;
- 1 hour or more of physical activity; and
- 0 (or reduced) sugar-sweetened beverages.
To promote 5-2-1-0, you can request printed copies of the 11x17 inch posters shown in the photo below. Request posters by e-mailing patti.delger@iowa.gov. Include the quantity and your mailing address. For more information, visit the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative webpage!
The National Farm to School Network (NFSN) Survey
Click here to complete a brief (10-20) minute research survey on farm to early care and education activities, including local foods, gardening, and food and nutrition education. NFSN seeks responses from staff in all early care and education settings even if you are not currently involved in farm to early care and education activities. If you are a CACFP Sponsor, please forward the survey and instructions to your sponsored sites. Click here for Spanish (para completar la encuesta en español, siga el enlace a continuación). By completing the survey, you will be eligible to enter a random drawing for a farm to ECE curriculum titled Early Sprouts. Your name, site name, or any identifying information will not be in publications or reports. Your feedback and contributions are very important to NFSN's future work. NFSN serves as a hub for information, networking, and advocacy for communities working to bring local food sourcing, gardening, and food and farm education to schools and early care and education settings. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, April 4. Learn more.
National Recreation and Park Association Grant
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is offering grants up to $25,000 to support children’s health through park and recreation out-of-school time programs. Grants in 2018 will focus on increasing the number of healthy meals children receive through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) or the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) during out-of-school times as well as providing nutrition literacy and implementing healthy living practices and policies. Learn more and apply here. Deadline: March 18.
Robin Holz, MS, RDN
CACFP Lead Consultant, Centers
Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services
400 E 14th St
Des Moines 50319
Phone: 515-281-3484
Fax: 515-242-5988
Iowa Department of Education Website
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