Update: Creditable Non-Dairy Beverages (ALL)
The Creditable Non-Dairy Beverages handout is updated to include additional options for creditable fluid milk substitutes.
- New creditable beverages: Bettergoods Original Soymilk, Ripple Milks (specific kinds/sizes), Silk Kids Oatmilk Blend, and Your Good Foods
- Beverages removed: Great Value Soymilk (discontinued), Sunrich Naturals
A creditable non-dairy beverage may be served in place of milk for non-disability reasons such as dietary, religious, cultural, or ethical preferences. A written request for a creditable non-dairy beverage must be on file; a medical statement is not required. Program operators are encouraged but not obligated to meet requests that are not related to a disability.
Program operators are required to provide fluid milk substitutions requested due to a disability. When the requested milk substitute is not creditable (i.e., does not meet the nutritional standards of cow milk) a medical statement signed by a state licensed healthcare professional authorized to write medical prescriptions or registered dietitian must be on file.
Reminder: Special Dietary Needs (ALL)
The Special Dietary Needs Tracking Form is required to be completed by agency staff for each participant requiring and/or requesting a modification to one or more meal components. This form and applicable documentation, as specified in Guidance Memorandum: Special Dietary Needs, must be kept on file.
This Medical Statement is an optional form that can be used by families to obtain a valid medical statement for a CACFP participant who has a disability that restricts the diet (physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; for example, digestion).
Annual Civil Rights Training Reminder (ALL)
All Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participating agencies must provide annual civil rights training to all staff members who interact with program applicants or participants and those persons who supervise these staff. In order to assure that all of the USDA Civil Rights required subject matter is covered, use DPI’s CACFP Civil Rights Training PowerPoint and/or its handout version to complete the required CACFP civil rights training. Use the links below for the most current versions. FDCH Sponsors refer to Guidance Memorandum H Civil Rights Training materials.
Civil Rights Training (Spanish) (Hmong)
Civil Rights Training Handout
Records indicating agency staff who received civil rights training, civil rights topics covered, and date(s) civil rights training was completed must be retained on file. Use the CACFP Civil Rights Training Attendance Sheet to document its annual civil rights training with all staff.
Note, the And Justice for All posters are not currently available for order through USDA. Guidance will be provided when the posters are available.
Continue to display the 2019 And Justice for All poster or the current And Justice for All poster.
Posters that display the Statue of Liberty are out of compliance and are not acceptable to post.
Reminder: Race and Ethnicity Data Form (ALL)
The Race and Ethnicity Data Form is an annual requirement. Use the most current form under Guidance Memorandum: Civil Rights.
The preferred method to obtain this information is through self-identification and self-reporting, preferably from parents/guardians of participants. When information cannot be obtained through these methods, and therefore the race or ethnicity of a CACFP participant is unknown, the total number of unknown participants can be documented on the Race and Ethnicity Data Form.
FFY 2026 1st Quarter CACFP Financial Report (SO)
If your agency participated in the CACFP with two or more sites, at any time between October 1, 2025, and December 31, 2025, you are required to submit the 1st quarter financial report by March 1, 2026. Refer to the Quarterly CACFP Financial Report Instructions and contact Cari Ann Muggenburg with questions.
Planning for National CACFP Week - March 15-21, 2026 (ALL)
National CACFP Week is coming up! This national education and information campaign celebrates the CACFP for its work to combat hunger and bring healthy foods to the table for children and adults. DPI recognizes this would not be possible without the dedicated work of providers across Wisconsin.
For information and resources to help celebrate CACFP Week, check out the information from the National CACFP Sponsors Association website.
Let us know if you are planning something special during CACFP Week! Email cnt@dpi.wi.gov your event plans and post-event photos so we can share them!
Reminder: Wisconsin Chili Lunch (ALL)
Wisconsin Chili Lunch Day is Thursday, February 26, 2026, but schools and organizations are encouraged to celebrate any day during the month. This is an opportunity for K-12 schools, early care and education programs, hospitals, colleges and more to cook and serve a chili recipe featuring local foods.
Prepare your chili with locally grown and produced ingredients such as local meat, vegetables, cheese, sour cream, and yogurt. Download the 2026 Wisconsin Chili Lunch Guide for ideas to help highlight the amazing local foods available in our state! The DPI Farm to School (F2S) team also has a brand new resource called, “Cooking with Dried Beans In a Nutshell” Learn how Wisconsin grown beans can be prepared and added to your favorite chili recipe. Register Here for this fun event!
ICN CACFP 101 Webinar: Healthy and Affordable Serving CACFP Meals and Snacks (ALL)
Join ICN to learn simple, practical ways to choose healthy foods without overspending. The webinar will talk about smart planning and purchasing tips that help you stretch your budget while still serving nutritious meals. You’ll also discover easy, creative ideas for preparing and serving affordable foods so you can make tasty, healthy CACFP meals on a budget.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn how to choose healthy foods that fit your budget using simple planning and smart purchasing tips.
- Explore easy and creative ways to prepare and serve low-cost foods so you can make healthy, affordable CACFP meals.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026: 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Register to Attend.
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