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Team Nutrition has released the updated Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). This handbook is an important supplemental companion to the Food Buying Guide for crediting and meal planning for CACFP operators.
The handbook provides information on:
- the CACFP meal patterns
- crediting guidance for each meal component
- a Crediting in Action section to practice crediting skills
- and a list of helpful resources
Major revisions include the transition to crediting grains in ounce equivalents (oz eq) instead of grains/breads servings, which went into effect on October 1, 2021.
The updated Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program is available on the Team Nutrition website: https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/crediting-handbook-child-and-adult-care-food-program
Coming soon:
- Printed copies will be available for ordering from Team Nutrition in the Fall.
- The online Spanish-version will be available later this year.
Please save the date for this upcoming webinar where we will discuss several important upcoming Program changes. These changes will affect all Sponsors operating CACFP.
Register for the What's New in CACFP Webinar
Date: Wednesday, May 4
Time: 1:30–2:30 pm PT
During this webinar we will discuss:
- Study month for Fiscal Year (FY) 23
- Renewal closing date for FY22
- Infant meal pattern requirements for all centers with enrolled infants
- Budget Reporting
- Waiver usage
- Training resources for new staff
- OSPI staff updates
Questions? Please contact your OSPI CNS Program Specialist.
The State agency must be notified when centers experience closures of any length due to COVID-19 or staffing shortages.
Site Calendars
Site calendar(s) must be updated to reflect the days your center was closed.
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If your center is closed two weeks or less: Add closure dates as Non-Operating Days
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If your center is closed longer than 2 weeks: Edit current calendar to end on the last day of operation
Create a new calendar to begin the first day of operation after center closure has ended.
Please notify your specialist to report center closures as they occur. As a reminder, you can always use the Find Your CACFP Specialist Map to find your specialist.
Since the late 1970s, each legal entity that receives funds from the US Government is required to have a unique identifier called a DUNS number. As of April 4, 2022, the Federal Government changed the requirements for these numbers. They will now be using a 'SAM' ID.
If you have received an email from your Program specialist requesting a valid SAM ID for your business, action is required.
Please email your specialist your SAM ID as soon as possible.
You can go to www.sam.gov, register for a new account, and request your unique SAM ID in just a few minutes.
SAM.gov provided this video on how you can get your SAM ID.
You can also follow these written instructions on how to request a SAM ID.
Questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist.
 Team Nutrition recently released the Let’s Make a Snack! Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Snack Menu Planner for Children 3 Through 18 Years of Age. This menu planner will help child care center and family child care operators understand CACFP meal pattern requirements and serve high-quality snacks. It includes sample menus, checklists, menu planning activities, and 20 new snack recipes:
• Apples and Almond Butter
• Baked Carrot Fries With Yogurt-Sunflower Seed Butter Dip
• Caprese Bruschetta
• Cheesy Bean Tostada
• Chicken and Cheese Snack Cup With Grapes
• Corny Salsa With Tortilla Chips
• Curried Chicken Wraps
• Deli Bento Box
• Dried Fruit and Cereal Snack Mix
• Fresh Veggie Wraps
• Fruited Chicken Salad With Crackers
• Herb Bagel Bites
• Mini Egg Salad Sandwiches
• Mini Graham Crackers and Berry Nut Butter
• Parmesan Zucchini Chips
• Peach and Yogurt Smoothies
• Savory Yogurt-Hummus Dip With Veggies
• Toasted Pita Wedges and Fruit Dip
• Tuna Salad and Apples Slices
• Very Berry Parfaits
Recipes are standardized to meet minimum serving amounts of at least one meal component for children 3 through 5 and 6 through 18, and are available in yields of 6, 25, and 50 servings. All are taste-tested and kid-approved!
Download Let's Make a Snack
About the Dietary Guidelines
The Dietary Guidelines provides science-based advice on what to eat and drink to promote health, reduce risk of chronic disease, and meet nutrient needs. It is designed for policymakers and nutrition and health professionals to help all individuals and their families consume a healthy, nutritionally adequate diet.
Information in the Dietary Guidelines is used to develop, implement, and evaluate federal food, nutrition, and health policies and have aided in the development of Child Nutrition Program meal patterns.
Submit Your Feedback
Every five years, USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services partner to provide the latest, science-based nutrition guidance in re-evaluating the Dietary Guidelines. These agencies are kicking off the process of developing the next edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by posting proposed scientific questions for public comment.
Your feedback on the proposed questions – and throughout the development process for the Dietary Guidelines for Americans – will help us change lives and ensure a healthier, more prosperous future for all Americans. These departments are committed to equity and transparency at every point in the process, which is why this first step starts with you – the public.
The public comment period opens April 15, 2022. We invite you to read the proposed scientific questions and comment before May 16, 2022, to inform the process from the very start!
Additional Resources
Do you believe in the power of good nutrition? Are you interested in assisting school districts and other institutions in providing children with healthy and nutritious meals? CNS is seeking skilled candidates for several positions. Does this sound like you? Apply to join the CNS team today!
Current Recruitments
Join the Farm to ECE Community of Practice call to learn how early learning programs can bring gardening into their programming.
Register for the April Farm to ECE Community of Practice Call
Date: Tuesday, April 26
Time: 3–4 pm PT
This call will include information on:
- Community gardens
- On-site gardens
- Classroom gardening activities
- Technical assistance organizations in your area to identify funding opportunities
- Questions/Answers
- Feedback request- What can we do to help you start a successful garden.
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