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  

CACFP Virtual Conference – Meals for the Picky Eater  Register to attend both days (September 29 and October 6) of the CACFP Virtual Conference if your schedule allows. You will receive the Zoom link prior to each event. Earn 2 hours of CACFP training hours/day for participating in the virtual conference. Agenda items include: Keynote Kelly Matthews - Picky Eating and the Culture of Food Culinary Snack Demonstration with Chef Brenda Windmuller Tackling Grains Using Ounce Equivalents Healthy Habits Start Early Toolkit Register today! CACFP center staff, Home Sponsors, and childcare home providers are invited to attend.  September 29  - 1 - 3:00 p.m.  October 6 - 1 - 3:00 p.m. Centers and Home Sponsors who participate are eligible to apply for a $350 sub-grant to implement information learned at the training!

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's COVID-19 Child Care Considerations A publication series to help families sort through decisions during these trying times. Exploring Child Care Options in a Pandemic discusses the pros and cons of different options and gives tips on finding and paying for child care. Child Care in Your Home offers helpful guidance for hiring someone to provide full or part-time care for children. The Transportation Scramble helps parents make good decisions about shared transportation to and from school. Publications are free to download.

Handwashing Resources in Multiple Languages The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) has many resources and promotion materials to help stress the importance of washing hands with soap and water. Regular handwashing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. They  are available in multiple sizes and languages, and can be ordered for free via CDC-Info on Demand.

NEW Resources NEW training and resources for CACFP include: CACFP Trainer's Tools: Feeding Infants in Print in English and Spanish CACFP Meal Pattern Training Worksheets in English and Spanish, including Serving Snacks in CACFP; Serving Vegetables in CACFP; How to Spot Whole Grain-Rich Foods in the CACFP; and Using the WIC Food Lists to Identify Grains for the CACFP The latest CACFP Halftime training webinar on Mealtimes with Toddlers for virtual learning in English and Spanish

Iowa Local Food Day  October is National Farm to School Month! Iowa has designated the 2nd Wednesday of October as Iowa Local Food Day (October 14th) but you are encouraged to pick any day of the month that works best for your early care site. On Iowa Local Food Day, participating schools and childcare centers and homes will serve menus featuring local ingredients. To participate, sites must serve at least 2 local items for breakfast or lunch. Sign Up Today!

CACFP Ambassador Stipend  A childcare center or home provider currently participating in CACFP can apply to receive an Ambassador Stipend ($300 for centers or $150 for home providers) for mentoring a center or home provider who does not participate in CACFP.  Application due date is June 30, 2021 Ambassador Application for Center Ambassador Application for Home Providers CACFP Peer to Peer Mentoring Flyer - Provides information to centers and home providers about what is expected of a CACFP Ambassador. What can CACFP do for me? - Promotional flyer for childcare centers and homes to highlight the benefits of participating in CACFP. Available in English and Spanish. Contact patti.delger@iowa.gov for more information.

October is Healthiest State Month Celebrate 5-2-1-0 during Healthiest State Month in October. There are a number of ways you can participate. Celebration Toolkit - the education toolkit for early care includes resources in the event of virtual learning and a household toolkit has been added this year! Keep an eye out for weekly giveaways on the Healthiest State Facebook page and a fun, new resource that will also include a giveaway for kids who complete it! Healthiest State 10th Annual Walk on October 7th Register your childcare today! 5210 Healthy Choices Count Virtual Summit is on October 15th. Registration is open!

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/.