 CACFP week is here! To celebrate, Child Nutrition Services at OSPI is joining the National CACFP Sponsors Association (NCA) for its annual national education and information campaign. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of how the USDA's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) works to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for participants of child care centers, adult day care services and day care homes across the country.
CACFP Excellence Awards/Testimonials
Thank you for your CACFP Excellence Award nominations and telling/showing us what CACFP Means to you! Excellence Award Recipients & CACFP Testimonials will be shared via direct email from your Specialist this week and communicated in our next CNS Update.
We appreciate all that you do to provide healthy meals and snacks to participants, and we are excited to highlight your brilliance!
Continue to stay engaged this week by:
- Reading daily CACFP resource packets
Read the CACFP resource packets that will be curated by CACFP Specialists and sent each weekday of CACFP week. These packets will contain valuable information along with some fun activities/resources.
- Attending a live NCA webinar each weekday of CACFP Week
These webinars are centered around the NCA themes of Community, Advocacy, Children, Food Program and Participate.
Monday, March 13 – Community: Building Healthy Bodies with the Foods We Serve
Tuesday, March 14 - Advocacy: Good News! Sharing Your CACFP Story
Wednesday, March 15 - Children: Healthy & Strong with Sesame Street
Thursday, March 16 - Food Program: Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure
Friday, March 17 - Participate: Tools & Resources for CACFP Success
Register for Live Webinars Here and for NCA CACFP Week Resources
USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative is pleased to announce the release of two slightly revised PowerPoint (PPT) training slides for “Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods for the CACFP Using the Ingredient List”, Parts 1 & 2. The English and Spanish versions of the following training slides have been updated to remove footnotes related to the COVID-19 Pandemic and to include new images.
Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods for the CACFP Using the Ingredient List Part 1:
Identifying Whole Grain-Rich Foods for the CACFP Using the Ingredient List Part 2:
To view the full collection of Team Nutrition’s ready-to-go CACFP Meal Pattern Training Slides, visit fns.usda.gov/tn/meal-pattern-training-slides-cacfp.
Questions about this announcement may be sent to TeamNutrition@USDA.gov.
Diapositivas de capacitación actualizadas para el CACFP
Team Nutrition se enorgullece en anunciar el lanzamiento de dos diapositivas de capacitación en PowerPoint (PPT) revisadas: “Use la lista de ingredientes para identificar alimentos ricos en grano integral en el CACFP, Partes 1 y 2”. Las versiones en inglés y español de las siguientes diapositivas se han actualizado para eliminar las referencias relacionadas con la pandemia de COVID-19 y muestran nuevas imágenes.
Use la lista de ingredientes para identificar alimentos ricos en grano integral en el CACFP, Parte 1:
Use la lista de ingredientes para identificar alimentos ricos en grano integral en el CACFP, Parte 2:
Para ver la colección completa de diapositivas de capacitación sobre el patrón de comidas del CACFP visite: fns.usda.gov/es/tn/meal-pattern-training-slides-cacfp.
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Effective March 1st, 2023 the CACFP email address, comunitynutrition@k12.wa.us is no longer in use. General inquiries should be sent to CACFP@k12.wa.us. For specific questions, please contact your Program Specialist directly. |
Reckitt (Mead Johnson Nutrition) voluntarily recalled a very small amount of Enfamil ProSobee Infant Formula on Sunday, February 19. No illnesses have been reported and no other ProSobee Simply Plant-Based Infant Formula batches or other Reckitt products are impacted. It is not expected that the recall will have a substantial impact on consumers or CACFP providers. For additional details about this recall, visit ProSobee Recall 2023 | Enfamil US.
CACFP providers are encouraged to check the bottom of their Enfamil ProSobee 12.9oz Infant Formula for the following affected batch codes: ZL2HZF and ZL2HZZ. The UPC Code for these products is 300871214415. Only those cans with these batch codes, this UPC, and a “Use By Date” of “1 Mar 2024” are affected by the recall.
CACFP providers who have recalled product should contact Reckitt by calling 1-800-479-0551 or by emailing consumer.relations@rb.com.
The Washington State Farm to School Network is planning a gathering to regroup and revitalize Farm to Child Nutrition efforts in Washington State. The event will be held in Central Washington.
Please complete this brief survey letting the network know what topics you are interested in.
New to the Washington Farm to School Network? The network focuses on active participation to connect members and grow Farm to Child Nutrition participation and success in Washington state. Join the network to get updates on all things Farm to Child Nutrition.
The Proposed Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans has been published in the Federal Register.
Based on the latest nutrition science and feedback from Child Nutrition Stakeholders across the nation, USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service is proposing updates to the child nutrition standards. The proposed updates reflect the goals of the most recent Dietary Guidelines, as required by law, and build in time for planning and implementation to ensure Sponsors and the children they serve are set up for success.
Want to learn more?
Proposed CACFP/SFSP Meal Pattern Revisions Webinar
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) presented a webinar on March 1st tailored specifically for CACFP and SFSP sponsors. You can access the Child Nutrition Programs Proposed Rule: Revisions to the CACFP & SFSP Meal Patterns presentation by registering for the on-demand recording.
Proposed Child Nutrition Program Meal Pattern Revisions Webinar
If you would like to know about proposed revisions across all Child Nutrition Programs, you can access the recorded webinar, Child Nutrition Programs: Revisions to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans Proposed Rule on FNS’s Website.
USDA would like your Feedback!
Comments on the Proposed Rule can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal through April 10, 2023. Section 16 of the proposed rule provides a summary of the rule and a list of specific questions for which USDA is seeking public comments. For more information on submitting comments, please see Tips for Submitting Effective Comments.
For information and next steps on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, please review the following:
Post-Conference Updates
You are invited to join the Biden-Harris administration for their post-Conference monthly update.
Register for the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health Monthly Update session
Date: Wednesday, March 22
Time: 12:30 - 1:00 pm PT
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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 Recruitment
Administrative Program Specialist (In Training) Candidate Pool- Recruitment is ongoing. Looking to fill a position in Eastern Washington.
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This memo addresses the following Program Changes:
All Child Nutrition Programs (including CACFP)
- Prohibition on the use of chicken from China
NSLP/SBP
- Crediting of starchy vegetables
- Compliance with paid lunch equity requirements
- Renaming of the Farm to School Program
SFSP
- Establishment of a non-congregate meal service option
Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) for Children Program
- Establishment of a permanent Summer EBT Program
- Changes to Pandemic EBT
Does your childcare program teach children about food, agriculture or nutrition? Do you serve local foods in meals or snacks? Do you have a garden or grow plants in the classroom? Would you like to? If so, the Washington Farm to School Network wants to hear from you!
You can win one of 42 Amazon gift cards up to $50, and the survey only takes 20-30 minutes to complete. Information from the survey will be used to develop resources, trainings, and support for Farm to ECE locally and across the state.
TAKE THE SURVEY
The survey has been extended until March 17th.
Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) includes any activities that promote food knowledge, good nutrition, and connections to the way our food is grown, harvested or foraged. Farm to ECE can benefit programs and their communities by offering experiential learning opportunities, supporting local businesses, engaging families, and instilling lifelong healthy habits.
To learn more about F2ECE check out the WA F2ECE website and join the WA F2ECE Community of Practice.
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Each month your regional staff will be holding office hours. Specialists will start office hours by providing important CACFP updates and reminders. During the remainder of the session, specialists will provide technical assistance and training around specific CACFP topics. If a specialist outside of your region is hosting office hours with a topic of interest to you, please feel free to join! |
Office Hours Schedule
Specialist: Jeannette Green, Region 3
Topic: Menus
Date 3/17/2023 Time: 12:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Eddie Griffin, Region 7
Topic: Staff Training
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 11:00 AM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Teresa Diaz, Region 1
Topic: Monitoring
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Tina Bischoff, Region 8
Topic: Special Dietary Needs
Date 3/20/2023 Time: 4:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Arianne McConchie, Region 5&9
Topic: Training Resources
Date 3/21/2023 Time: 3:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Andy Weaver, Region 6
Topic: Monitoring
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:00 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Molly Gleason, Region 4
Topic: Infant Meals
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Samantha Evans, Region 2
Topic: Special Dietary Needs
Date 3/27/2023 Time: 1:30 PM Click Here to Join the Meeting
Want to feature local products in your meals but don’t know where to start? You don’t have to make the whole meal local to make your efforts count. Starting small by featuring one item a month can go a long way to incorporating Farm to CACFP programming.
To support integrating local foods into your meals, OSPI CNS is excited to feature a new Harvest of the Month section in our newsletter. Each month we will highlight one local food that will be in season the following month. The highlight will include recipe ideas, educational resources, and procurement tips.
Radish
Radishes grow well in all parts of Washington. They are typically available locally from April – November, however; because they prefer cooler climates, they may be less abundant from July – September. Warmer weather could make for a spicier radish but can also make the radish less tender. Radishes grow super-fast, only taking 3-6 weeks from seed to harvest, making them a great crop for kids to grow in the garden.
Radishes are available in a wide range of shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. They can be red, pink, purple, white, and black. They can be as small as a quarter and some varieties can even grow up to 100 pounds. The most common types of radishes are Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, and Easter egg because they tend to be small, sweet, and mild in flavor. Larger radishes like Daikon also tend to be sweet. Watermelon radishes are a type of Daikon that would be a fun item to feature in your meals because, while white and green on the outside, the inside is a surprisingly red or purple color. Make eating fun by providing your children with a variety of colors on their plates.
Radishes are an excellent source of vitamin C and also contain vitamin K, B6, niacin, folate, potassium, and pantothenic acid. Radish greens are also edible and contain more vitamin C and Calcium than the radish root.
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Register now to attend free, live, interactive training sessions for child nutrition professionals offered by the Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN). These virtual training sessions feature individual lessons led by ICN's expert trainers on important topics for child nutrition professionals in child care programs.
Trainings will be held in January–March 2023. Some of the child care trainings include:
- Food Safety in Child Care (4 hours)
- Introductions to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings (4 hours)
- Norovirus in Child Care (2 hours)
- Training Culturally Diverse Groups (4 hours)
- Basic Culinary Math (4 hours)
For a list of trainings as well as training dates and times, please visit ICN’s VILT Registration page.
Registration is limited to 25 participants per session, and training sessions will fill up quickly.
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Washington WIC gives families access to nutritious food and provides health screening, risk assessment, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to health and social services. The program provides essential services for pregnant people, new and breastfeeding persons, infants, and children under five. Most pregnant people and young children on Medicaid or Basic Food (SNAP) qualify for WIC services.
To meet the needs of families during the pandemic there have been important changes to the program:
- WIC enrolls new applicants, provides nutrition education and breastfeeding support, and issues food benefits by phone or video chat.
- WIC expanded the choice of foods allowed for purchase using WIC benefits.
- Participants now shop for WIC foods using a WIC card, which makes shopping easier.
- The WICShopper app guides shoppers, and provides recipes and parenting tips!
Given layoffs and other economic consequences related to COVID-19, people may be seeking WIC services for the first time.
What Can You Do to Help?
Help the families you serve by sharing information about the benefits of WIC. The Department of Health has a great handout you can share (see image) that is available in 14 languages. You can order it from myPRINT.wa.gov so you can offer them to families.
Find WIC Services in Your Area
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March 15
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February Claims Due in WINS
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March 12-18
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National CACFP Week
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