February 2020

The CACFP Team Nutrition monthly newsletter provides information on nutrition and physical activity for young children, trainings and funding opportunities, resources, and success stories from Iowa CACFP programs working to support healthy habits.

Stay Connected! Iowa Department of Education - Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services

Facebook: @IowaCACFP  Email: patti.delger@iowa.gov  

Congratulations! Congratulations to TenderCare (Mt. Pleasant) and Tri-County Child & Family Development Council (Waterloo) for being awarded the 2020 Healthiest State Annual Award. These CACFP sites were recognized February 6th for their efforts to improve the physical, social and emotional well-being of their child care sites. Thanks for showcasing the value of CACFP!

CACFP Week - March 15-21 It is time to celebrate! March 15-21 is a great opportunity to bring positive attention to CACFP and the impact it has on your childcare environment. Ideas to celebrate CACFP Week include: Plan a healthy activity with children and promote it with your families. Share a few of the children’s favorite recipes with families to try at home. Have children complete activity pages and send home so families can learn more about CACFP. Download activity pages, marketing flyers, videos, certificate of awesomeness, awareness toolkits, social media images and more at cacfp.org.

Team Up for CACFP Success - March 12 Polk County ISU Extension and Outreach 1625 Adventureland Dr., Altoona Attendees will be grouped with mentors for a unique learning experience Opportunity to improve in menu planning and CACFP administration Each participant will leave with SMART goals for moving forward Connected to mentor for future assistance Mileage, sub-pay, and $300 sub-grants will be available Register Today! Space is limited. For more information, contact patti.delger@iowa.gov

CACFP Ambassador Opportunity Do you know a center or home provider who does not participate in CACFP? Centers can apply for a $300 stipend and home providers can apply for $150 to mentor a center/home that does not participate. A little extra assistance by a peer can make a huge difference in working through the CACFP application process. Coming Soon!

NEW CACFP Infant Staff Training Video Developed by the Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services,  the new training video (51 minutes) covers: Infant meal pattern requirements Creditable infant foods Record keeping procedures Other CACFP requirements Best practices New infant room staff are encouraged to watch the video and discuss the information with their supervisor to learn what forms to use and what procedures should be followed in their local center. The video can also serve as a refresher training for experienced infant room staff.

CACFP Conference April 28-30 - Register Today!  Central Rivers AEA, 1521 Technology Parkway, Cedar Falls Centers April 28; Dr. Jennifer Groos, The Impact of Childhood Obesity Centers and Home Sponsors April 29; Kelly Matthews, Picky Eating and the Culture of Food, and Feeding Infants in CACFP (4 CEUs for infant staff or directors) Home Sponsors April 30 - Registration Coming Soon!  For DHS credit go to i-PoWeR  and enroll.

CACFP Success Story Darci Kaplan says, "I enjoy having family style serving at lunch time. I find it interesting when the kids are pouring their own milk and they are so gentle and pour slowly so they don't spill. I enjoy having the kids help make their snacks, like ants on a log or a lady bug on a leaf. When the snacks are made by them sometimes I notice they are more excited and willing to try new foods. Family Style Dining Guide by Nemours

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter ad- dressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the com- plaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Ave SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
2. Fax: (202) 690-7442
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone numbers 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.