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Cheese, Louise! There are many natural cheeses that you can serve in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Review this Meal Pattern Minute to learn which cheeses and cheese products are creditable in the CACFP.
Try these recipes for some cheesy goodness.
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United Way of King County, through their Hunger Free Washington campaign, is offering statewide support to school districts and community organizations interested in starting or expanding their At-Risk CACFP Afterschool Snack and Supper Programs. They can help address technical, operational, and financial barriers, including funding for equipment, to ensure students have consistent access to nutritious meals.
School districts and community organizations are encouraged to reach out to discuss needs and support by emailing hello@hungerfreewa.org or Lisa Bonine at lbonine@uwkc.org.
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Attend a free webinar hosted by the National CACFP Association. This webinar will dive into the Afterschool Snack and Supper Service requirements for the CACFP.
Navigating Afterschool Snack and Supper Service
Date: February 5, 2026
Time: 11-11:30 am PST
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Harvest of the Month
OSPI’s Harvest of the Month resource sheets help sponsors feature seasonal, Washington-grown foods. For February, we’re spotlighting leeks. Each sheet includes fun facts, nutrition highlights, selection and storage tips, recipe ideas, and activities.
Access the leeks resource sheet on the Farm to CACFP webpage under the Harvest of the Month drop-down menu. If you don’t have access to leeks near you or want to feature another local food item, check out past Harvest of the Month resource pages on the OSPI Farm to CACFP webpage under the Harvest of the Month drop-down menu.
For support sourcing Harvest of the Month items, email farmtocnp@k12.wa.us.
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Grant Opportunities
Looking for simple, flexible ways to support food education, gardening, and local food awareness in CACFP settings? The resources and opportunities below are designed for early learning programs and can be adapted based on your site’s capacity and interests.
Funding Opportunity: Garden Grants for Head Start Programs
NHSA: GroMoreGood Garden Grant Head Start programs that are current National Head Start Association (NHSA) members may be eligible for the GroMoreGood Garden Grant, which provides funding to support school gardens and outdoor learning spaces that encourage healthy eating and hands-on learning.
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Award amount: $2,000–$5,000
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Application deadline: January 30, 2026
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Eligibility: NHSA-member Head Start programs
Resources
Culturally Inclusive Food & Garden Activities
Food and gardening activities, along with guidance that supports inclusive practices, can be a meaningful way to reflect children’s cultures, traditions, and lived experiences.
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KidsGardening – Selected Educator Resources Nonprofit, educator-focused activities that support inclusive, garden-based learning. Many resources are available in Spanish and explore food traditions, storytelling, and hands-on growing activities.
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Crediting Traditional Indigenous Foods in the CACFP Guidance from United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the National CACFP Sponsors Association on how traditional Indigenous foods may be credited in child nutrition programs when documentation requirements are met. Shared for awareness and planning support.
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Inclusive Preschool Through the Seasons – Seattle PlayGarden An example of inclusive, play-based learning that integrates gardening, food, and seasonal activities. These materials may offer inspiration for adapting activities in early learning settings.
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