NEW USDA Waivers & Recommendations for Further Action
In response to COVID-19, the USDA has released three new nationwide waivers to support access to food in the child nutrition programs. These waivers are effective immediately, and remain in effect through June 30, 2020, or until expiration of the federally declared public health emergency, whichever is earlier. These waivers apply automatically to all States that elect to use them, without further application.
The National CACFP Forum, in partnership with the CCFP Roundtable, has submitted additional recommendations to USDA that would allow CACFP to operate at its fullest capacity during this public health crisis.
- Meal Times Nationwide Waiver applicable to NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP (link)
- Non-congregate Feeding Nationwide Waiver applicable to NSLP, SBP, SFSP, and CACFP (link)
- Afterschool Activity Waiver applicable to afterschool snacks in NSLP and at-risk afterschool meals and snacks in CACFP (link)
The National CACFP Forum, in partnership with the CCFP Roundtable, has submitted additional recommendations to USDA that would allow CACFP to operate at its fullest capacity during this public health crisis.
Your Action Needed: Contact your Congressperson!
Congress is making decisions NOW about the trillion dollar economic stimulus package. The National CACFP Forum has written a letter to ensure the CACFP is well represented in this package. You can view it here.
Our partners at the National CACFP Sponsors Association have made it quick and easy to tell your Congress members to not forget about CACFP during this crisis. Don't wait - join us in standing with your CACFP community.
Our partners at the National CACFP Sponsors Association have made it quick and easy to tell your Congress members to not forget about CACFP during this crisis. Don't wait - join us in standing with your CACFP community.
Send your Comments to USDA by March 23, 2020!
USDA wants to hear your feedback on simplifying meal service and monitoring requirements. Personal comments and experiences are important to guide the rule making process and we’ve provided a few sample comments to get you started. Don’t forget:
Tell them who you/your organization is (e.g., your mission) and why you care.
Tell them who you/your organization is (e.g., your mission) and why you care.
- Delete all of the highlighted content and the section of instructions, if you use the sample comments
- When your comments are complete, copy and paste into USDA’s form
- All comments are due by 11:59 PM EST on March 23, 2020
- Follow this link to comment >> https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2020-00926
The National CACFP Forum Policy Priorities for 2018
The Forum's policy priorities are outlined in this one page document - both legislative and regulatory priorities can be found here.
USDA Releases CACFP Grain Requirement Q&A update
April 4, 2018 USDA FNS clarifies Grains in this highly anticipated policy memo CACFP 9-2018
USDA Seeks Public Input on Child Nutrition Food Crediting
A public invitation to submit ideas on food crediting, the system that defines how each food item fits into a meal for the National School Lunch Program and other federal child nutrition programs. Announcement WASHINGTON, Dec. 14, 2017 Commenting Period Ends Februay 12, 2018
Child Nutrition Program Integrity
Child Nutrition Program Integrity Child Nutrition Program Integrity; Extension of Comment Period - Comment Period Closed
Jul 07, 2016 11:59 PM ET
Proposed RulePosted: 06/07/2016
ID: FNS-2016-0040-5342
Child Nutrition Program Integrity - Comment Period Closed
May 31, 2016 11:59 PM ET
Proposed RulePosted: 03/29/2016
ID: FNS-2016-0040-0001
Jul 07, 2016 11:59 PM ET
Proposed RulePosted: 06/07/2016
ID: FNS-2016-0040-5342
Child Nutrition Program Integrity - Comment Period Closed
May 31, 2016 11:59 PM ET
Proposed RulePosted: 03/29/2016
ID: FNS-2016-0040-0001
USDA Food and Nutrition Services Memo: Early Implementation of the Updated CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements and the NSLP and SBP Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns
Last Published: 06/30/2016
This memorandum outlines options for implementing the updated Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern requirements and the updated infant and preschool meal pattern requirements in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) prior to the compliance date of October 1, 2017. This memorandum also includes questions and answers.
File Upload:
Early Implementation of the Updated CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements and the NSLP and SBP Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns (151.57 KB)
Document #:
SP42 CACFP14-2016
This memorandum outlines options for implementing the updated Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern requirements and the updated infant and preschool meal pattern requirements in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) prior to the compliance date of October 1, 2017. This memorandum also includes questions and answers.
File Upload:
Early Implementation of the Updated CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements and the NSLP and SBP Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns (151.57 KB)
Document #:
SP42 CACFP14-2016
Child Nutrition Program Integrity-A Proposed Rule by the Food and Nutrition Service Comment Due May 31, 2016
This rule proposes to codify several provisions of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 affecting the integrity of the Child Nutrition Programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), the Special Milk Program for Children, the School Breakfast Program, the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and State Administrative Expense Funds. The National CACFP Forum has been apart of a team working through the proposed rule for the commenting period. Download letter below.
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FNS-2016-0040
Commenting Ends May 31,2016.
https://www.regulations.gov/#!docketDetail;D=FNS-2016-0040
Commenting Ends May 31,2016.
| v2_very_short__draft_model_comment_letter_child_nutrition_program__integrity.docx |
CACFP Meal Patterns Proposed Rule AnnouncementOn January 9, 2015, the USDA’s FNS released a proposed rule to update the CACFP meal patterns. Under the proposed changes, children and adults in day care will receive meals with a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, more whole grains, and less sugar and fat. These proposed changes will help ensure children have access to healthy, balanced meals throughout the day and may serve as a foundation for healthy choices for life. This is the first time the CACFP meal patterns have been significantly revised since the program was created in 1968. FNS is proposing incremental changes that are achievable and do not increase costs for providers.
Proposed Rule Materials |
USDA/FRAC Webinar, "New Proposed Healthier CACFP Meal Standards: What You Need to Know,"Was held on Thursday, January 29th, 2015 at 1:30 PM.
For those of you who could not hear or attend, you can view the replay of the webinar by clicking on the link below. You may also download the material from the webinar. |
Meeting the Under Secretary of the USDA
Members of the Forum Board of Directors relaxing with USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon at the Sunday night reception for attendees of the CACFP Leadership Conference, March 2, 2014.
Pictured Front left: Ipek Taffe, The Planning Council; Susanna Reza, El Paso Human Services, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon; James D. Weill, President FRAC; Marty Campolito, President National CACFP Forum; Carolyn Morrison, CACFP Forum. Back Row: Elyse Homel Vitale, CFPA; Samantha Daleiden Marshall, Child Care Info; Geri Henchy, FRAC; Chris Clark, CCFP Roundtable.
Pictured Front left: Ipek Taffe, The Planning Council; Susanna Reza, El Paso Human Services, USDA Under Secretary Kevin Concannon; James D. Weill, President FRAC; Marty Campolito, President National CACFP Forum; Carolyn Morrison, CACFP Forum. Back Row: Elyse Homel Vitale, CFPA; Samantha Daleiden Marshall, Child Care Info; Geri Henchy, FRAC; Chris Clark, CCFP Roundtable.
Snap cuts in Farm Bill will lead to less food for vulnerable people
Statement attributable to FRAC President Jim Weill
Contact: Jen Adach, FRAC, 202-986-2200 or 202-631-3206, jadach@frac.org
Washington, D.C. — January 28, 2014 — The Farm Bill moving from conference committee to the floor of the House and Senate will cut SNAP benefits to an estimated 850,000 households by an average of $90/month. The Food Research and Action Center is encouraging members to vote “No” on the bill because of the pain this provision will cause for so many of the most vulnerable members of our society, making monthly food allotments fall even further short of what is needed.
SNAP is essential to the nutrition, health and well-being of 47 million Americans each month. But every participant suffered a significant cut in benefits beginning last November 1st. Demand at emergency food providers around the country has skyrocketed. Now the Farm Bill, if passed, will considerably worsen the already bad situation for nearly a million households.
The SNAP cuts in the conference bill amount to $8.6 billion over 10 years. The bill has modest boosts in nutrition supports in respects (e.g. for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), for “double bucks” farmers’ market programs, for improved SNAP education and training programs, for Healthy Food Financing). These are small positive steps but are far from commensurate to the SNAP damage in the bill.
We appreciate that key conferees and other Senators and House members spoke and acted to reject the far larger harmful cuts proposed by the House. But FRAC believes the $8.6 billion SNAP cut is deeply harmful.
This cut has been opposed by major newspapers, anti-poverty and anti-hunger groups and food banks across the country. It is inconsistent with polls showing voters—across party, age and other demographics—reject food stamp cuts. It is inconsistent with the President’s proposals to improve, not harm, SNAP benefits. In a bitter irony, the bill goes to the floor almost exactly a year after an expert Institute of Medicine committee found that SNAP benefits are already inadequate for most families to purchase an adequate, healthy diet; and it comes in the same month that researchers issued a new study showing that low-income people have increased hypoglycemia-related hospital admissions late in the month because they run out of food. The SNAP cuts will be a blow to health and nutrition, and to the government’s long-term fiscal well-being as well.
Contact: Jen Adach, FRAC, 202-986-2200 or 202-631-3206, jadach@frac.org
Washington, D.C. — January 28, 2014 — The Farm Bill moving from conference committee to the floor of the House and Senate will cut SNAP benefits to an estimated 850,000 households by an average of $90/month. The Food Research and Action Center is encouraging members to vote “No” on the bill because of the pain this provision will cause for so many of the most vulnerable members of our society, making monthly food allotments fall even further short of what is needed.
SNAP is essential to the nutrition, health and well-being of 47 million Americans each month. But every participant suffered a significant cut in benefits beginning last November 1st. Demand at emergency food providers around the country has skyrocketed. Now the Farm Bill, if passed, will considerably worsen the already bad situation for nearly a million households.
The SNAP cuts in the conference bill amount to $8.6 billion over 10 years. The bill has modest boosts in nutrition supports in respects (e.g. for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), for “double bucks” farmers’ market programs, for improved SNAP education and training programs, for Healthy Food Financing). These are small positive steps but are far from commensurate to the SNAP damage in the bill.
We appreciate that key conferees and other Senators and House members spoke and acted to reject the far larger harmful cuts proposed by the House. But FRAC believes the $8.6 billion SNAP cut is deeply harmful.
This cut has been opposed by major newspapers, anti-poverty and anti-hunger groups and food banks across the country. It is inconsistent with polls showing voters—across party, age and other demographics—reject food stamp cuts. It is inconsistent with the President’s proposals to improve, not harm, SNAP benefits. In a bitter irony, the bill goes to the floor almost exactly a year after an expert Institute of Medicine committee found that SNAP benefits are already inadequate for most families to purchase an adequate, healthy diet; and it comes in the same month that researchers issued a new study showing that low-income people have increased hypoglycemia-related hospital admissions late in the month because they run out of food. The SNAP cuts will be a blow to health and nutrition, and to the government’s long-term fiscal well-being as well.
