News & Updates
March is National Nutrition Month! The CACFP promotes serving meals and snacks that are tasty and healthy. Try out these #CACFPCreditable snacks when you plan your next grocery trip:
Tuna salad and crackers
Chili and baked potato
Baked tofu and asparagus
Edamame and peach slices
Try out these #CACFPCreditable snack combinations when you plan your next grocery
Dear Child and Adult Care Food Program Operators:
The California Department of Social Services Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Branch is reminding CACFP child care centers and family child care homes to register and attend the 2025 Child Care Meal Quality (MQ) and Nutrition and Physical Activity (NPA) Forums.
Child Care Meal Quality Forums
The Child Care MQ Forums are designed to assist early child care program food service staff to enhance the quality of meals served to young children. The Child Care MQ Forums will take place in-person and in a virtual classroom and kitchen. The forums will highlight ways to enhance the nutrition environment of early child care programs through improved food preparation and service using the U.S. Department of Agriculture CACFP meal patterns for children. The forums highlight healthy meal planning, food purchasing, food preparation, culinary skills, recipe development, and kitchen safety. Participants will be exposed to culinary techniques to assist with the creation of meals to bolster health and wellness. All attendees will receive a toolkit with a variety of resources that they can immediately use in child care centers and day care homes.
Visit the California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) Child Care MQ Forums web page for the agenda, registration links, session descriptions, speakers, target audience, recommendations to optimize the virtual and in-person Child Care MQ Forum experience, professional growth hours, and contact information.
The cost to attend the in-person MQ forum is $35 and includes a morning snack and lunch. The virtual forums are free to attend. All forum participants will receive a Certificate of Completion and a tote bag filled with sample menus, recipes, and other resources. Space is limited to the first 30 registrants.
Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Forums
The Child Care NPA Forums highlight and demonstrate methods for integrating nutrition education, edible gardens, wellness policies, and physical activity into Child Care Centers (CCC) and Day Care Homes (DCH). Participants will learn ways to create environments that maximize opportunities for children to develop healthy eating habits and to move their bodies to learn. Additionally, participants will learn about the Farm to CACFP Initiative and the Preschools Shaping Healthy Impressions through Nutrition and Exercise (SHINE) program. For more information about Preschools SHINE and how to apply, visit the CDSS Preschools SHINE web page. For more information about the Farm to CACFP Initiative, visit the CDSS CA Farm to CACFP Initiative web page.
These forums provide a unique platform where early childhood educators can express challenges and develop solutions toward supporting active living and healthy eating environments. All attendees will receive a variety of tools and resources they can immediately use in CCCs and DCHs.
Visit the CPIN Child Care NPA Forums web page for the agenda, registration links, session descriptions, speakers, target audience, professional growth hours, and contact information.
The cost to attend the in-person NPA forum is $35 and includes a morning snack, lunch, printed Certificate of Completion, and a tote bag filled with nutrition education materials for children, and physical activity music and props.
Contact Information:
For questions regarding this subject, please email Madison Fellenz, Nutrition Education Consultant, at Madison.Fellenz@dss.ca.gov.
February 27 is National Strawberry Day! The strawberry is a great fruit to choose if you’re looking to add more color to your plate. We love how they look on a fruit pizza. Try out our #CACFPCreditable recipe and let kids get creative building their own fruit pizza for breakfast or snack.
Valentine’s Day
Looking for a healthy Valentine’s Day recipe? Try our Heavenly Hummus, which pairs wonderfully with strawberries for a snack that children and adults will both love.
· Free Activity Page: Valentine Matchmaking
January 29 is National Corn Chip Day and National Puzzle Day! Try out our #CACFPCreditable Beanie Dip for a delicious pairing with your favorite corn tortilla chips. We’ve also got some fun puzzles for you to print out and enjoy.
Looking to introduce new food items and flavors to your menu? NCA’s Orange Tofu recipe is perfect for you! Try this tangy meat/meat alternate recipe at lunch or supper to get children’s tastes buds excited with something new.
January is National Soup Month. Try out the USDA’s standardized recipe for tomato soup, and also catch our Meal Pattern Minute on how to credit a store-bought tomato soup. Want to learn more about cozy comfort soups that you can make for your CACFP participants? Catch next month’s free webinar on Thursday, February 6.
December is National Pear Month! Try NCA’s Fruit and Nut Butter Pita Pockets to incorporate pears into your menu this month. This crunchy and delicious recipe is easy to make and only requires four ingredients to credit for the meat/meat alternate, grains, and fruit components.