CACFP Memos and Updates for 12/27/2019: Memo - Government Shut Down; FBG Calculator Moved; 30 on Thursday Webinars; TN Network Update; New Phone App; CACFP Conference; CACFP & Schools; Donated Foods; National CACFP Week

FY 2019 Bureau Updates - December 27, 2018

Past and current Bureau Updates are posted here. It may take a few days for this bulletin to be posted.

USDA News

New CACFP Memo

Government Shutdown
Lapse in FY2019 Appropriations and Impacts for the Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), Child Nutrition Programs
CACFP 03-2019, Issued: December 26, 2018

We understand the uncertainty that these circumstances present for FNS customers and partners nationwide. Funding has been provided for the Child Nutrition Programs at least through January.

Click here for a full text of the memo. 

In a separate statement, USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Purdue indicated that regardless of the shutdown, CACFP will continue operations into February. Meal providers are paid on a reimbursement basis 30 days after the end of the service month. Carryover funding will be available during a lapse to support FY 2019 meal service.

Food Buying Guide (FBG) Calculator
The FBG Calculator was created by the Institute of Child Nutrition and has been moved to the FBG Interactive website (within the online tool). The FBG Calculator is designed to determine quantities of food needed to meet meal pattern requirements and create a shopping list.  Click here to access the calculator at the new location (you must open the FBG to first).

Thirty on Thursday Webinar Series

Upcoming Webinar
January 17, 2019: Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods - Part 2

Click here to register. 

English (1 to 1:30 PM CST)
Spanish (2 to 2:30 PM CST)

Recorded webinars

• October 19, 2017: Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars webinar 
• November 16, 2017: Choose Yogurts That Are Lower in Added Sugars webinar 
• January 18, 2018: Serving Milk in the CACFP 
• February 15, 2018: Meal Planning for the CACFP 
• March 15, 2018: Serving Meat and Meat Alternates at Breakfast 
• April 19, 2018: Offer Versus Serve in the CACFP
• May 17, 2018: Methods for Healthy Cooking
• June 21, 2018: Adding Whole Grains to Your Menu
• July 19, 2018: Feeding Infants: 0-5 months
• August 16, 2018: How to Support Breastfeeding in the CACFP
• September 20, 2018: Feeding Infants: Starting with Solids
• October 18, 2018: Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods for the CACFP Using the Ingredient List
• November 15, 2018: Grain-Based Desserts in the CACFP

Click here to view recorded webinars and request a certificate. 

NOTE: you must take a quiz and enter your information to get a certificate.

Team Nutrition CACFP Organizations Network - Update

The new Team Nutrition CACFP Organizations Network was created for CACFP participants interested in promoting healthy eating and physical activity. Click here to enroll.  You will be asked to enter A DUNS number (this is a required field).  However, the form will accept a 9 digit EIN (Employee Identification Number - Tax ID) instead of a 9 digit DUNS number. For questions or for more information, contact TeamNutrition@usda.gov.

Iowa Bureau of Nutrition News

New! CACFP Shopper Phone App

Save the date for an introductory webinar on January 11, 1-2 pm...details coming next week!

SAVE THE DATE! FY 2019 CACFP Conference

April 29- May 1, Location TBD

CACFP Meals Purchased From and/or Served in Schools

The CNP120 Food Service Agreement includes requirements for meals purchased from schools.  Organizations claiming CACFP vended meals are required to monitor the meals for compliance with the signed contract and communicate with the vendor when requirements are not met.  

Click here for a new USDA worksheet, Serving School Meals to Preschoolers, to help programs located in schools plan menus and serve compliant meals.  

Donated Foods

CACFP allows centers to accept donated foods. 

Points to remember:

• Fresh or frozen fruit and vegetables, including garden produce, are allowable and encouraged.
• Home canned foods may not be accepted or served on CACFP. 
• Meat and poultry can only be accepted if processed by a federal or state inspected facility. 
• Eggs must be federally inspected.
• Foods obtained using WIC benefits may not be donated to the center, but a parent may bring WIC foods for their own infant or child with special dietary needs.
• Meals that include donated foods may be claimed for reimbursement if the foods served are creditable and the meal meets meat pattern requirements.
• Non-creditable donated foods may be served as extras.  However, be aware these foods may contribute extra calories. 
• A record of donated items must be kept on file.  A form is available in Chapter 5 of the CACFP Administrative Manual; completed forms should be kept in the monthly CACFP file.
• Items accepted must be documented by date and amount.
• Accepting donated foods may make it more difficult to operate a non-profit food service.

National CACFP Week

March 17-23, 2019

CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored by the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA). The campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the CACFP brings healthy foods to child care centers, homes, and after school programs as well as adult day care centers.

Start planning today! Click here for ready-to-go resources.  Click here for parent newsletters on a variety of nutrition topics to incorporate into CACFP week.  

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