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Are you wanting to update your menus but you feel you don’t have the time? Or you feel overwhelmed when thinking about starting this process? Let us highlight the importance of menu planning for the children you serve in the CACFP!
Why is Menu Planning Important?
As a CACFP Sponsor, you must be sure that your menus provide at least the minimum required portion size of all meal pattern food components to each age group of children served.
If you do not meet CACFP reimbursable meal requirements, this could lead to the return of money from the monthly claims during an Administrative Review. For more information on CACFP meal requirements, refer to the CACFP Meal Requirements Reference Sheet.
Menu planning also helps with:
- Variety
- Seasonality
- Cost savings
- Ability to accommodate special diets
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How do I Start the Menu Planning Process?
Menu planning can be fun and exciting! There are many resources available to assist you in your journey.
- Let’s start with a menu template; this helps ensure that the meal pattern per age group is being met.
- Next, identify a Whole Grain Rich item is offered daily on your menus.
- Ensure you have documentation for recipes and purchased products when required.
- Standardized Recipes are required for menu items containing two or more ingredients to ensure minimum portions are met. Recipe resources:
- Child Nutrition (CN) Labels or Product Formulation are required for commercially prepared combination items.
- Fluid milk must be listed at all meals (not required at snack). Identify the type of milk offered by age group on the menus.
- Ensure there are no grain based desserts listed. These are not creditable grain items.
- Date your menus to show the day/week these menu items are to be served.
- Include the USDA Non-Discrimination Statement for Child Nutrition on your menu.
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Menu Planning Resources
When is the Best Time to Start Menu Planning? -- NOW!
Need additional assistance? Have questions? Please contact your CACFP Specialist or attend one of the office hour sessions offered this month.
49% of American Indian and Alaska Natives experienced food insecurity during COVID-19
The Native American Agriculture Fund and the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) launched a new survey for continued research about food access, food sovereignty, and food security for Native American people that can help determine resources needed to improve access to nutritious food for tribal communities.
Submit your response by June 30, 2023.
The last survey was conducted in 2021. Review findings from the survey report, Reimagining Hunger Responses in Times of Crisis. This report illuminates the challenges of food security in Indian Country and the Tribally-driven solutions needed to address.
Do you have a newsletter, social media, or other ways you communicate to those you serve? Use this customizable communications toolkit to highlight the important issue of Native American food insecurity and encourage others to take the food access survey.
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Based on the latest nutrition science and feedback from Child Nutrition Stakeholders across the nation, USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) 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.
USDA Wants Your Feedback
The Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has extended the deadline to submit comments on the “Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020 Dietary Guideline for Americans” proposed rule to May 10, 2023.
Comments on the Proposed Rule can be submitted through the Federal eRulemaking Portal. 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.
Want to learn more?
View the Proposed Rule Child Nutrition Programs: Revision to Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans in the Federal Register.
Available Webinars
Proposed CACFP/SFSP Meal Pattern Revisions Webinar
USDA FNS presented a webinar on March 1 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.
The renewal closing date for the current program year is June 30, 2023.
If your organization is planning to operate the CACFP during August or September 2023 and is not operating the program this school year, you must complete the program renewal application in WINS no later than June 30, 2023.
Sponsors most affected by this change are those who plan to operate At-Risk or Pre-school programs. For more information on this, please refer to the FY23 CACFP Annual Updates Webinar.
To start the FY23 renewal process, refer to the CACFP Application and Renewal Reference Sheet and the CACFP Preparing to Complete Renewal Application Checklist.
Please contact your Program Specialist if you have any questions.
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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! |
Upcoming May Office Hours Schedule
Specialist: Sandra Goodman, Region 5
Topic: Meet and Greet—New Program Specialist!
Date: 5/9/2023 Time: 9:30 am Click here to join the meeting
Specialist: Tina Bischoff, Region 8
Topic: Recipes and the Food Buying Guide
Date: 5/10/2023 Time: 4:00 pm Click here to join the meeting
Specialist: Jeannette Green, Region 3
Topic: Meal Counts
Date: 5/12/2023 Time: 12:30 pm Click here to join the meeting
Specialist: Samantha Evans, Region 2
Topic: Recipes
Date: 5/15/2023 Time: 9:30 am Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Eddie Griffin, Region 7
Topic: Whole Grains
Date: 5/15/2023 Time: 11:00 am Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Teresa Diaz, Region 1
Topic: Recipes
Date: 5/22/2023 Time: 1:00 pm Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Andy Weaver, Region 6
Topic: Staff Training
Date: 5/22/2023 Time: 1:00 pm Click Here to Join the Meeting
Specialist: Molly Gleason, Region 4
Topic: CN Labels/Product Formulation Statements
Date: 5/22/2023 Time: 1:30 pm Click here to join the meeting
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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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The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is the only federally funded national center dedicated to applied research, education and training, and technical assistance for child nutrition programs.
Register for a Webinar
Managing food allergies and special dietary needs is important in providing safe and nutritious meals for the children in our care. Join ICN for their May CACFP 101 webinar to learn good practices and tips for managing food allergies and special dietary needs for small and large centers, including family child care homes.
Register for the May CACFP 101 Webinar Managing Food Allergies and Special Dietary Needs
Date: Tuesday, May 16
Time: 12–1 pm PT
Additional Details
- After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
- Webinar recordings can be found on ICN’s online course platform, iLearn, one week after the live webinar.
Subscribe to ICN's Newsletter for up-to-date opportunities!
The Institute of Child Nutrition (ICN) is excited to invite Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) professionals to join the CACFP National Advisory Committee (NAC). As a committee member, you would have a unique opportunity to contribute your expertise, knowledge, and perspectives to shape the future of ICN's CACFP education and training resources.
Submit Your Application Today!
Who Should Apply?
ICN is seeking a diverse range of professionals from various programs, including family child care providers, small and large child care centers, adult day care centers, emergency shelters, afterschool at-risk programs, and sponsoring organizations. A diverse committee will provide a range of perspectives to help better understand the needs of the CACFP community.
Committee Details
The CACFP National Advisory Committee members serve a three-year term and attends annual meetings. In-person meetings are hosted every other year and costs are covered by ICN. The first CACFP NAC meeting will occur virtually in Fall 2023.
As a CACFP NAC member, individuals have the opportunity to:
- Advise ICN on future CACFP projects and initiatives
- Provide feedback on current CACFP policies and practices related to education and training
- Collaborate with other CACFP professionals from different backgrounds and programs
- Participate in discussions and provide input on CACFP best practices
- Develop and recommend solutions to improve CACFP education and training resources
- Promote and support the CACFP on a national level
The 2023 Team Nutrition Grant Application is now open!
The goal of the FY23 Team Nutrition Grant is to facilitate the adoption of healthy eating patterns by school-aged children (grades Pre-K through 12) through the coordination and implementation of MyPlate nutrition education connected to the nutritious meals and snacks offered through USDA Child Nutrition Programs.
Apply for This Grant
School Food Authorities (SFA) are eligible to apply for up to $1 million in grant funds. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with your local district to get nutrition education to those you serve!
Applications are due on Monday, May 22, 2023 by 8:59 pm PT.
SFAs can view the Request For Applications (RFA) and apply online using the grants.gov website. FNS expects to announce the grant awards in August 2023.
An informational webinar on this RFA was held on Wednesday, April 5. This webinar was recorded and will be posted on the Team Nutrition website.
Grant Objectives
The FY23 Team Nutrition Grant funds will support grant activities that focus on four objectives:
- Increasing the consumption of nutritious foods and beverages offered through the NSLP and CACFP At-Risk Afterschool Meals and Outside School Hours Care Centers (OSHCC) via high-quality MyPlate nutrition education.
- Increasing awareness of the MyPlate symbol and accompanying MyPlate nutrition education tools, resources, and messages.
- Increase awareness of the nutritional contributions of meals and snacks offered to students from parents/caregivers, school coaches and athletic trainers, school nurses, afterschool program operators, and Pre-K through 12 teachers.
- Improving equity by increasing the number of students from historically underserved and marginalized populations who are reached by nutrition education resources, including resources and recipes that are culturally appropriate and/or in the preferred language of the students and their families.
- Increasing school community engagement in the development, implementation, and assessment of Local School Wellness Policies.
Additional information about the Team Nutrition Training Grant Program is available on the Team Nutrition Training Grants webpage.
Questions about this grant? Please email Anna Arrowsmith, Team Nutrition Grant Officer.
The National CACFP Sponsor Association (NCA) is hosting a training opportunity that may serve as annual training for Sponsor staff. This two-hour training is based on federal guidelines.
*Please note, this training is not offered by OSPI and will not fulfill Washington’s state specific annual training requirements.
Register for the NCA CACFP Training here
Date: May 10, 2023
Time: 11 am–1 pm PT (Live)
Cost: $29
This session will include:
- CACFP meal pattern
- Meal counts
- Claims submission & review procedures
- Recordkeeping requirement
- Monitoring requirements
- Reimbursement system
- Civil Rights
- Updates in the CACFP
On demand training will be available until June 7, 2023.
To support sponsors in integrating local foods into your meals, OSPI CNS is excited to feature a new Harvest of the Month section in our newsletter. Each newsletter will highlight one local food that will be in season the following month. The highlight will include recipe ideas, educational resources, and more!
Strawberries
There are more than 600 unique varieties of strawberries in varying shapes, sizes, and flavors. This accessory fruit is part of the rose family and usually the first commercial berry to start ripening in our state.
Did you know that Washington state grows approximately 1% of the country's strawberries, with most being produced in Skagit and Whatcom counties? This is one of the many reasons to highlight strawberries in your menus!
The USDA SNAP-Ed Strawberries webpage has some amazing resources including tips on selection and storing these fruits and preparation tips.
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Is your school district engaged in Farm to Child Nutrition programing or interested in starting? The Washington State Farm to School Network invites you to the first in-person gathering since 2018! The goal of the gathering is to reconnect and reinvigorate the network and those involved in all aspects of Farm to School and Farm to Early Childhood Education activities.
What is Farm to Child Nutrition?
Farm to School looks different in every community but is typically comprised of one or more of the following activities:
- Serving local food as part of a school meal or snack.
- Providing food and agriculture related education opportunities.
- Offering garden-based hands-on learning.
Who is the Washington Farm to School Network?
The network is compiled of School Districts, Early Care Centers, Farmers, Chefs, State Agencies, Non-profits, and anyone who is passionate about Farm to Child Nutrition. The network exists to advance Farm to School (F2S) and Farm to Early Childhood Education (F2ECE) activities in WA state, increasing equitable access to healthy nutritious foods and connecting youth to their food sources, and instilling lifelong healthy habits.
Register to attend the Gathering by May 22!
Location: Wenatchee Confluence Technology Center
Date: Friday, June 9
Time: 8 am – 3 pm
Cost: Free
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