Fall brings some of the best produce of the year — and most of it is CACFP-creditable. Apples, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin, pears, carrots, and beets are all in season, affordable, and easy to work into your existing menus. Whether you’re planning breakfast, lunch, supper, or snack, here’s how to bring fall flavors into
August is National Breastfeeding Month — a time to recognize the families who choose to breastfeed and the providers who support them every day. If you care for infants in a CACFP-participating program, breastfeeding support is already part of what you do. The CACFP infant meal pattern is designed to encourage breastfeeding, and your role as a
The USDA has officially released the 2026–2027 CACFP reimbursement rates, effective July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. Rates increased across all meal types and program categories. And yes — the new rates have already been updated in KidKare, retroactive to July 1, 2026. 2026–2027 Rates: Contiguous States Centers and Afterschool Programs Meal Type Free Change Reduced
As a CACFP sponsor, July marks the start of one of the most important planning windows of the year: preparing your annual budget for the October 1 submission. The CACFP fiscal year runs October 1 through September 30, which means your organization’s FY2027 budget needs to be drafted, reviewed, and submitted to your state agency
Summer changes everything in a childcare program — the schedule, the energy, and definitely the appetite. When it’s hot outside, heavy snacks don’t land the same way. Kids want something cool, colorful, and easy to eat between activities. The good news? CACFP-creditable snacks are a perfect fit for summer. Fresh fruits, vegetables, yogurt, and whole
June is National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month — and the timing could not be better. The growing season is hitting its stride, farmers market tables are filling up, and local produce is at its most colorful, flavorful, and affordable. For child care providers, it’s a natural moment to put more fresh produce on the menu and
A new USDA final rule gives CACFP operators more flexibility in the types of milk they may serve to children ages 2 and older. Here’s what changed, when it takes effect, and what it means for your program. Milk has always been an important part of the CACFP meal pattern. It supports children’s growth and
Most CACFP sponsors know that enrollment paperwork takes time. Collecting forms, chasing signatures, verifying income, tracking expirations — it’s a constant cycle that stretches staff thin, especially during peak enrollment periods. But here’s what often goes unspoken: the biggest cost of paper-based enrollment isn’t the labor. It’s the reimbursement that quietly disappears when documentation is
Whether you run a center or a family child care home, you need recipes that come together fast and fit the CACFP meal pattern. Here are four easy summer favorites — three lunches and a breakfast — that check both boxes. All four are scalable, with crediting mapped to ages 3–5. Confirm your exact portion
Spring is here — and so is a whole new lineup of fresh, affordable produce. If your menus still look like January, now is the perfect time for a quick refresh. Here’s how to do it in KidKare, fast. Step 1: Pick Your Swaps You don’t need to overhaul everything. Start by swapping 3–5 winter
