2022 Child Nutrition Today Magazine

Child Nutrition
Today

For the Child and Adult Care Food Program Community
cacfp.org :: 1 :: 2022-2023

Child Nutrition Today

Inside... 10│Civil Rights Training & Impacts of Sodium
Stay on top of important matters
3│Menu Templates
A must-have planner for any CACFP provider 12│Why Iron Matters
Grow and maintain healthy bodies
4│Meal Service Fun
Power Bowls, Charcuterie, Sheet Pans & Muffin Tins 14│Infant Development, Providers & Milk in the CACFP
Keeping kids healthy from infancy and onward
6│Celebrating Cultural Foods
Our role and how we can make an impact 16│CACFP Inspire Awards
Meet the winners and read their stories
8│Sample Cycle Menu with Recipes
Implement freshly-harvested ingredients

Download or order printed meal pattern cards at cacfp.org

cacfp.org :: 2 :: 2022-2023

Customize Your Weekly Menu

Planning your weekly menu of #CACFPCreditable meals and snacks is a breeze with our weekly menu templates.
Visit cacfp.org/cacfp-templates to download fillable templates that are tailored to different age groups and service times.

Standard Template Or choose from 21 templates to fit
(All Ages for Breakfast, the needs of your program
Lunch/Supper & Snack)
cacfp.org :: 3 :: 2022-2023

Meal Service Fun

Add some pizazz to meal or snack time with these
preparation/presentation methods!

Power Bowls

What better way to serve your meal pattern components than
to put them in a bowl? Power bowls focus on fresh ingredients
that will provide nutrition and energy for hours. They’re quick
to create and are easily tailored to the tastes of your CACFP
participants. You can even set up a power bowl bar and let
participants choose which options they would like. For example,
for 3-5 year olds, start with a 1/2 oz eq. scoop grains, like brown
rice or quinoa. Then, they can choose their meat/meat alternate
with a 1 1/2 oz scoop of diced chicken or chickpeas. Finally,
they can choose their fruits and veggies. They can add 1/4 cup
scoop of fruits, like strawberries or pineapples, and 1/4 cup
scoop of vegetables, such as carrots or avocado. You could also
exclude the fruits and add more vegetable options, like kale and
cucumbers, and instruct them to pick their favorite two options.
Just make sure all the options are different types of vegetables in
order for the meal to be #CACFPCreditable! Then pair with 3/4
cup of milk and you’ve got yourself a delicious meal.

Charcuterie Boards Find members-only resources on these methods at
cacfp.org/recipes-menus/education
If you’ve got participants who are more into snack-type foods
during meals, a charcuterie board can be a fun option to use,
especially for family-style dining. If you don’t wish to participate in
family-style dining, you can still create beautiful charcuterie plates
or have your participants arrange their own.
For the individual plate to the right, we used curves and pockets to
create a fun visual. For a family-style board, portion the number
of servings needed of each component and make sure that the
same meal pattern component does not touch another of the same.
Here’s an idea that you can use for 3-5 year olds.

Kidcuterie Board

• 1 1/3 oz. turkey pepperoni
• 1/2 oz eq. fish-shaped crackers
• 1/4 cup bell peppers
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• Serve with 3/4 cup fluid milk

cacfp.org :: 4 :: 2022-2023

Muffin Tin Recipes

Using large muffin tins while preparing meals helps ensure that every participant is
receiving the correct serving size for each meal pattern component. Here’s a quick
breakfast recipe that you can try out! This example is ingredients per 3-5 year old child,
so you can fill up as many muffin spaces as you need in the tin. Baking without a
paper liner or silicone cup? Brush the tin with vegetable oil before adding ingredients.

Omelet Cup

• 1 egg
• 1 slice ham
• 1/2 cup diced onion, green pepper and tomato mixture
• 1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
• 1 tbsp cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 425° F. Line each muffin tin with ham.
Whisk egg, cheeses and vegetable mix together. Pour into
the cup and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 15
minutes. This recipe credits for meat/meat alternate
and vegetable. Add 3/4 cup milk for a complete
#CACFPCreditable breakfast!

Sheet Pan
Recipes

Oven roasting your meat/meat alternates and vegetables is not
only fast, but also reduces your amount of cleanup. This method
is great for meals in which you want to serve two different
vegetables in place of a vegetable and a fruit. The trick is to
select ingredients that have a similar cooking time, so nothing
will be undercooked or burned.

You can either prepare your sheet pan like you see to the left,
with everything in separate sections that will be portioned out
upon serving, or you can mix it all in one bowl to combine
your oil and seasoning. If you choose to combine everything,
just make sure you add a little bit extra of each meal pattern
component to ensure that your participants will get the
minimum requirement with each serving.

Here’s a recipe using the combining method, with eight servings
for ages 3-5.

Veggies First!

• 1.5 lbs chicken breast in 1” cubes
• 2 cups butternut squash in 1/2” cubes
• 2 cups small broccoli florets
• 1/2 medium onion, sliced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Seasonings to taste

Preheat the oven to 450° F. Combine all ingredients in a
large bowl and spread out on a baking sheet. Cook for 20
minutes. Serve with 1/2 oz eq. grain and 3/4 cup milk.

cacfp.org :: 5 :: 2022-2023

Celebrating Cultural Foods

Our Role Fitting Cultural Foods within the Meal Pattern

Foods tell us a lot about individuals and their way of life. It provides As you collect recipes from families, local restaurants and online
a sense of belonging in a community and is often part of someone’s resources, determine if they could be served in the CACFP. Some
identity. The CACFP provider’s role is to help uncover the stories might need modification. For example, if empanadas are typically
behind these foods, destigmatize cultural differences, and encourage fried - can they be baked? Or if there are no tomatillos in your area,
children to celebrate and try new foods. a green tomato would be a comparable substitute in a soup or salsa.

Culture Defined How often should you provide cultural meals? There are no
requirements in the CACFP that address this, but incorporating
Culture is a word to describe a group of people that are specific to this practice into your menu planning will allow you to expand the
a region or location who share knowledge, characteristics, beliefs, palates of your participants, celebrate differences and honor their
cuisine, language, customs, music, arts and much more. Families heritage. A cycle menu would be a useful tool to ensure a frequency
from around the world who have immigrated to the United States, of culturally friendly meals are provided.
as well as families who have lived in the U.S. for decades, all have
different backgrounds and diverse customs. Culture is developed Lastly, have fun uncovering new flavors and foods! Every dish has a
not only from where we are born, but also built by our surrounding story. Talk to the children about your adventures in trying cultural
environment. foods. This will get them excited to explore and eat the foods
prepared for them.
Impact of Cultural Foods
Watch these webinars at cacfp.org/cacfp-university
Think back to your childhood. What food item or meal brings a
comforting memory? The foods we grew up with are part of our • Cultivating Cultural Awareness Through Food
identity. As CACFP providers, we are building childhood memories, • Cultural Sensitivity & Humility in Head Start
and this should include respecting foods and flavor profiles from
your local community. The dishes children eat at home may
not be the same foods that are served at the child care center or
home, which may cause children to feel like they do not fit in. It is
important to celebrate differences, teach children about cultures,
and include recipes encompassing the local community cuisines.

What is Cultural Sensitivity?

As a CACFP provider, it is important to build skills that will
help you acknowledge and learn about families whose cultural
background is not your own. You don’t have to be an expert in
other cultures, but your openness and willingness to ask questions
about cultures and including them in conversations to modify the
CACFP meal plan will not only diversify your menu, but bring
inclusivity into your child care center or home.

cacfp.org :: 6 :: 2022-2023

Steps to Becoming More Creditable
Culturally Inclusive
& cultural snack ideas that meet
CACFP meal pattern guidelines.

ü Potato Pancake & Applesauce easy!
ü Jicama-Melon Salad
ü Polish Carrot Salad
ü Maple Slaw & Ambrosia Apple

sweet!

Embrace Differences ü Banana Bread & Dried Dates
ü Baked Hush Puppies & Peach Slices
Recognize, acknowledge and accept that each child and their family are different in the ü Soft Pretzel & Plum
way they may eat, communicate and relate with others. Create a safe space by seeking ü Crumpet & Strawberries
to understand, maintain neutrality, show respect and be person-centered when
interacting with individuals from various cultures. ü Baked Papa Rellena classic!

Remove Assumptions ü Cucumber/Carrot Sticks & Tzatziki Dip

Just because someone looks a certain way, whether it is their gender, race, ethnicity ü Mexican Street Corn Cups with Cotija Cheese
or personality, we cannot automatically categorize them a certain way. Everyone is
unique and has their own cultural history. Instead, ask questions and be an active ü Mangú & Egg
listener! Remember, it is okay to admit that you do not know everything about
someone’s culture. ü Pita Bread & Afghan Salata
ü Bean Bread & Seasonal Vegetables
Do Your Research ü Pupusa & Curtido
ü Crackers & Baba Ghanoush
Invite and encourage parents/caregivers to join a menu planning meeting at your
child care center or home. Inform them about wanting the menu to be more culturally ü Persimmon & Roasted Seeds/Nuts
diverse while following the CACFP meal pattern. You can go a step further and ask ü Spiced Orange Slices & Cheese Cubes
families where they like to eat or go shopping for their food at home. Not sure how to ü Mango Lassi
cook certain foods? Ask! People will go out of their way to explain to you how to make ü Papaya & Bola Bola
a favorite meal because you are going the extra mile to understand their culture.
must try!
Create a Culturally Friendly Environment
Encourage children to participate in fun activities that recognize holidays, music, arts, ü Onigiri (Brown Rice Balls) & Tuna Mayo
sports and foods from various cultures, especially those ü Turkish Pide Bites
established in their community. For example, ü Spring Rolls
you can celebrate Holi, an important ü Tofu Musubi
festival in India, by making tie dye
shirts to celebrate the colors of life! Find more creditable recipes
When it comes time to eat together, at cacfp.org/recipes-menus
spark conversation around a
cultural food on their plate, the cacfp.org :: 7 :: 2022-2023
differences as well as similarities
to what they may have tried
before, and have children
describe what it tastes like.
A handout with the recipe
could be given to parents to
showcase a culture that was
covered to extend the
learning into the home.

Harvest Cycle Menu

Get some ideas for Autumn with our Harvest Menu! Start out with this two-week cycle menu, then visit our website
to download the four-week version. The grains in bold help you make sure that you’re providing at least one serving of
whole grain-rich per day, and recipes that are listed in orange are also available at cacfp.org/recipes-menus/recipes.

BREAKFAST Milk MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
Fruit/Vegetable DAY 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5

Grain/Meat+ Whole Milk (age 1) or Berry Blast Smoothie Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or
Milk 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)
Whole, 1% or Fat-Free Milk
Hash Browns Banana Strawberries & Orange Wedges
Berry Blast Smoothie Blueberries
Confetti Egg Taco Mixed Berries Cinnamon Oatmeal Bird’s Nest Toast
Egg & WGR Tortilla Caterpillar Pancakes WGR Bread & Egg
Whole Milk (age 1) or WGR English Muffin Whole Milk (age 1) or WGR Pancake Whole Milk (age 1) or
1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)
Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or
1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)

Vegetable Broccoli Bell Peppers Creamy Cole Slaw Green Beans Cucumber Tomato Salad

LUNCH Fruit/Vegetable* Apple Slices Fiesta Corn Watermelon Mashed Potatoes Peach Slices
Corn Turkey & Cheese
Meat/Meat Alternate Chicken Alfredo Black Bean Patty Meat Lasagna WGR Bread Slice(s)
Chicken Quesadilla Black Bean Ground Beef
Grain WGR Spaghetti Noodles Chicken Meat Lasagna
WGR Burger Bun WGR Pasta
Chicken Quesadilla
Tortilla

Milk -- -- -- -- --

SNACK Vegetable -- Baby Carrots -- Harvest Salsa --
Fruit -- Fresh Apple Rings 100% Fruit Juice
Skillet Pineapple Bean, Corn, Onion, Tomato
Pineapple
--

Meat/Meat Alternate Cottage Cheese -- Nut Butter -- --

BREAKFAST Grain -- WGR Crackers -- Tortilla Chips Cereal Trail Mix
Cereal & Pretzels
Milk DAY 6 DAY 7 DAY 8 DAY 9
Fruit/Vegetable Day 10
Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or
Grain/Meat+ 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) Whole Milk (age 1) or
Milk Barn Owl English Muffin 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)
Blueberries & Banana Raspberries Cantaloupe Peach Slices
Vegetable Barn Owl English Muffin Strawberries
WGR English Muffin Oatmeal WGR Cereal WGR Waffle
Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or Autumn Bites
1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) Whole Milk (age 1) or Whole Milk (age 1) or Egg & Ham
1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5) 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)
Broccoli Baked Potato Veggie Delight Pinwheel Whole Milk (age 1) or
Carrots & Cucumber Italian Chicken & Veggies 1%/Fat Free Milk (2-5)
LUNCH Fruit / Vegetable* Apple Kiwi Roasted Potatoes
Mixed Fruit Green Beans
Meat/Meat Alternate Fish Nuggets Shredded BBQ Chicken Italian Chicken & Veggies
Veggie Delight Pinwheel Roasted Brussels Sprouts Mango Chunks
Grain Mac n Cheese WGR Bread Roll Cheese & Hummus
Italian Chicken & Veggies Chicken Tenders
Veggie Delight Pinwheel Chicken Drumsticks
WGR Tortilla Waffle
Brown Rice

Milk -- -- -- -- --

SNACK Vegetable Cucumber -- -- -- --
Fruit Watermelon -- Tasty Plum Salsa Big Bird’s Happy Day Cinnamon Applesauce
Yogurt
Meat/Meat Alternate -- Loose Granola Plum Sunrise Smoothie --
Grain -- -- Pineapple Graham Crackers

Tortilla Chips Big Bird’s Happy Day
Sunrise Smoothie
Plain Yogurt

--

+ Meat and meat alternates may be served in place of the entire grains component at breakfast a Find the full four-week cycle menu and more cycle
maximum of three times per week. menus at: cacfp.org/recipes-menus/menus

* The fruit component at lunch may be substituted by an additional vegetable.

cacfp.org :: 8 :: 2022-2023

These recipes credit for 3-5 year olds.

Harvest Salsa

• 1 (15 oz) can of black beans • 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 (15 oz) can of corn kernels • 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup cilantro, minced • 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 red onion, diced

Mix all ingredients into a medium bowl until they are well combined. Serve 1/2 cup with
tortilla chips or on top of tacos.

Veggie Delight Pinwheels

• 8 100% whole wheat tortillas • 2 cups cucumbers, cut in 3” sticks
• 8 cheese slices (1 oz each) • 2 cups shredded carrots
• 1 cup hummus

Lay out each tortilla and place a slice of cheese on top. Spread 2 tablespoons of hummus over
the cheese. The cheese prevents the tortilla from getting soggy from the hummus! Add 1/4
cup cucumbers and 1/4 cup carrots to each tortilla. Roll the tortilla up and slice into 6 round
pieces that look like pinwheels. One tortilla makes one serving.

Bean Patty

• 1 (15 oz) can of beans (black, navy • 1/4 tsp salt
or pinto), drained & rinsed • 7 whole wheat hamburger buns
• 7 (1 oz) slices of cheese
• 1/4 cup chunky salsa
• 1/2 cup cooked brown rice

Preheat oven to 350° F. Place beans, chunky salsa, brown rice and salt into a food processor or
blender. Scoop 1/4 cup of the bean mixture onto a greased baking sheet and flatten to about
1/4” thick. Repeat until you have seven patties. Bake for 8-10 minutes, then flip and bake for
another 8-10 minutes. Serve one patty on a bun with a slice of cheese, lettuce and tomato.

WGR Caterpillar Pancakes

• 1 cup 100% whole wheat pancake mix • 2 cups strawberries, chopped
• 1 cup unflavored milk • 2 cups blueberries, halved
• 1 large egg • 1/2 bell pepper, sliced

Prepare 32 mini pancakes according to the instructions on the box. Each mini pancake is 1
tbsp of batter. For each serving, assemble 4 mini pancakes for the body of the caterpillar. Add
4 halved blueberries as the “feet” of the caterpillar. Placed 2 sliced bell peppers on the head for
the antennae and 2 halved blueberries for the eyes. Place 1/2 cup of the mixed strawberries
and blueberries on the plate as the caterpillar’s food.

cacfp.org :: 9 :: 2022-2023

And Justice For All

Civil rights within the CACFP

It is a requirement for all CACFP sponsors, operators (i.e. frontline staff, chefs, daycare
providers, full-time & part-time staff), and volunteers to be trained on civil rights annually. This
is so all individuals who are involved in the administration of the CACFP understand the Federal
laws, regulations, instructions, policies and other guidance.
The training includes the protection of individual or groups from discrimination, handling
civil rights complaints, effective public notification system, resolution of noncompliance,
requirements for language assistance, requirements for reasonable modifications for persons
with disabilities, compliance review techniques, customer service and collection and use of data.

Watch these webinars at cacfp.org/learning-center
• Civil Rights 101: Compliance with Rights Requirements
• Accommodating Participants with Disabilities in Community Meals

The “And Justice for All” poster must be prominently displayed at meal service sites, schools,
day care centers and adult care centers. Day care homes are exempt from this. Contact your State
Agency or program sponsor in your state to order copies of the “And Justice for All” posters.

Learn more about civil rights compliance at fns.usda.gov/civil-rights.

Celebrate CACFP Week!

Every third week of March, celebrate
the community that works to ensure that
millions of children and adults have access
to healthy meals and snacks every day.

Download great resources
for CACFP Week!

Learn more at CACFPWeek.org

cacfp.org :: 10 :: 2022-2023

Impacts of Sodium

Reduce sodium to shape healthy food preferences

People use salt in cooking because it enhances flavor. You might be surprised to learn that one teaspoon of salt provides 2,300 mg of
sodium. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this is the maximum intake recommendation for any age and almost double
the recommendation for children up to age three. Our bodies do need this mineral to perform several important functions like regulating
blood pressure, maintaining bodily fluid balance, aiding in muscle contractions and helping our cells absorb nutrients and water. However,
consistently high levels of sodium intake over time can cause stroke, heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney stones and osteoporosis.

While there is no requirement in the CACFP that addresses sodium limitations, it is our responsibility to help shape healthy eating
preferences for those in our care as they grow and develop their palates. Here are ways to train the children’s taste buds early with foods
lower in sodium that are still bursting in flavor.

Herbs, Spices & Citrus, Oh My! Marvelous Marinades Drain & Rinse Canned Foods
Reduce salt by adding herbs and spices. Try Marinades can vastly help improve You may have noticed that some
making your own combinations like an Italian meats that tend to dry out when canned foods like carrots, beans,
blend, curry powder, Chinese five spice, cooking. The three essential ingredients and tomatoes contain a high sodium
blackening seasoning or jerk seasoning. Oranges, a marinade needs are fat to retain content per serving. Do not fret! You
limes, lemons and other citruses have similar moisture, acids to tenderize and spices can reduce the sodium by draining the
characteristics to salt in that they enhance flavor. to add flavor. Plan ahead to marinate liquid in the can, which will remove
Next time you are preparing a dish, try adding your meat, fish, seafood or vegetables. up to 36% of the sodium. Go one step
juice and the zest of one of these fruits and you The time a protein food takes to further and rinse the food under water,
will see how it brightens up the meal! marinate without toughening varies. resulting in 41% sodium reduction.

What It Says What It Means Skip the Salt
Broths, cheeses, deli meats, seasonings, and sauces generally contain
Salt/Sodium-Free Less than 5 mg of sodium per serving enough sodium that you do not need to add additional salt to your
recipe. Read the Nutrition Fact Label to find lower sodium foods at
Very Low Sodium 35 mg of sodium or less per serving the supermarket.

Low Sodium 140 mg of sodium or less per serving Know the Sodium Claims
Regulated by the FDA, packaged food products may contain a label
Reduced Sodium At least 25% less sodium than the indicating it is lower in sodium. There are several common claims
regular product that you might see but may not know what they mean. The table to
the left from the FDA will help you navigate the lingo as you review
Light in Sodium/Lightly Salted At least 50% less sodium than the the Nutrition Fact Label on each product.
regular product
cacfp.org :: 11 :: 2022-2023
No Salt Added/Unsalted No salt is added during processing,
but these products may not be
salt/sodium-free unless stated

Why Iron Matters

Growing strong kids with iron-rich foods

Iron is a mineral that is essential for both child development and overall health. It is primarily used to supply the body with oxygen, but it is

also used in muscle metabolism, maintaining connective tissue, physical growth, nerve development and cell functioning. We all need iron

every day throughout our lives, especially during times of major

development like infancy and puberty. How much iron is needed per day?

There are two types of iron found in the foods we eat. Heme iron 0-6 months .27 mg
is found in meats and seafoods, while non-heme iron is found 6-12 months 11 mg
mostly in plants. Non-heme iron does not absorb as well as heme 1-3 years 7 mg
iron, so if a participant has a vegetarian or mostly plant-based 4-8 years 10 mg
diet, aim for twice the recommended amount. 9-13 years 8 mg

Chicken and beef liver yield the highest amount of iron, but it is 14-18 years 11 mg for men 15 mg for women

not always a favorite option, especially among picky eaters. You 19-50 years 8 mg for men 18 mg for women

can also incorporate heme iron with eggs and lean meats such as 51+ years 8 mg

beef chuck, pork loin, chicken breast, turkey and canned tuna. Recommended intake from the National Institutes of Health
Plant options that are high in iron include white beans, lentils,

spinach, soy beans, tofu and pumpkin seeds. But one of the easiest ways for little ones to get their iron is with iron-fortified cereal. A 1/2 oz

equivalent of iron-fortified cereal usually contains between 4 and 6.5 mg of iron.

Three-Bean Chili • 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 (15 oz) can of Cannellini beans • 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15 oz) can of Great Northern beans • 1 small jalapeno, diced
• 1 (15 oz) can of garbanzo beans • 1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
• 1 (14.5 oz) can of stewed tomatoes
• 1 lb 93% lean ground beef

Rinse the beans and place in a slow cooker. In a skillet, heat the oil and cook onion, jalapeno
and garlic until the onion turns clear. Add to slow cooker. Using the same skillet, brown
the ground beef, then add to slow cooker. Stir in tomatoes and chili powder. Cover and
cook on low for 6-8 hours. This recipe makes 6 servings for ages 3-5. One serving provides
approximately 5 mg of iron.

Try out this low-cost, high-iron recipe!

cacfp.org :: 12 :: 2022-2023 Download the PDF with more recipes
at cacfp.org/recipes-menus/education

NCA Membership Benefits Learning

We know that many members of the child nutrition community want access to high-quality Center
materials, as well as access to training, support, crafts, recipes and fun physical activity ideas.
With more than 100 hours of
We can help! Become an NCA Member today to access exclusive benefits. Learn more about Continuing Education Units,
how an NCA Membership is a must for any provider at cacfp.org/membership-opportunities. including free training webinars,

Get access to resources, including... Educational our Learning Center has
PDFs something for everyone!
Activity
Pages Visit cacfp.org/learning-center to
browse our catalog of webinars.
Motivation Moments

Members also enjoy discounts to the National Child Nutrition Conference.
Learn more at cacfp.org/conference.

JOIN THE HUNDREDS OF PROVIDERS

who have received their Professional Certification.

“Getting the certification is a sign of
the time and effort it takes to learn
the ins and outs of the CACFP, and
how to use the knowledge to better
influence your program.”

- Champaigne Spivey, CCNP

Children First, Inc.

CACFP Child Nutrition Professional (CCNP) is the professional certification for the home
child care provider or staff employed at a center operating CACFP, and/or a CACFP agency
(Sponsor, Head Start, State Agency, etc.) administering CACFP.

VISIT CACFP.ORG/CERTIFICATION

to find out if you already qualify!

caccafcpf.po.rogrg:: :1: 313:: :2: 022022-22-0220323

Stages of Infant Development

Developmental milestones are used as markers to ensure that infants and toddlers are growing in a healthy direction. During early years, a
child’s relationship with food is crucial for their health and development. Learning the physical stages that relate to feeding is important to
understand this process.

Birth - 5 Months 4 - 6 Months 5 -9 Months 8 - 11 Months 10 - 12 Months
Reflexes: Suck/swallow,
tongue thrust, rooting, gag Gag and tongue thrust Begins control of food Moves food side to side in Rotary chewing
Requires head, neck & reflex begin to disappear positioning in mouth mouth
trunk support Good head control, can sit May sit without support
with support Begins to use jaw and Feeds self easily with
Brings hands to mouth tongue to mash food fingers and begins with
around 3 months spoon
Coordinates suck-swallow-
breathe when feeding Up and down munching, Follows food with eyes Begins to curve lips around Dips food with spoon
uses tongue to swallow Drinks from cup with help cup; sits without support rather than scoop,
Moves tongue back and Recognizes spoon and and begins to feed self
forth to suck opens mouth Begins to use fingers to pick Begins to hold cup with
up objects two hands, drinks from
Hunger cues: Wakes and straw
tosses, sucks on fist, fusses
or cries Introduction to pureed and Transfers food between Eats with hands, begins to Begins to eat small pieces
strained foods hands, tries to grasp food eat small pieces of soft food of table food and textured
Satiety cues: Seals lips
together, turns head away, food
decreases/stops sucking,
falls asleep/spits out nipple Hunger cues: Fusses or Hunger cues: Reaches for Hunger cues: Reaches and Hunger cues: Uses words or
cries, smiles/coos during spoon or food, points to points to food, gets excited sounds for specific foods
feeding, moves head toward food about food
spoon

Satiety cues: Turns head Satiety cues: Eating slows Satiety cues: Eating slows Satiety cues: Shakes head
away, decreases/stops down, pushes food away, down, pushes food away and says “no”
sucking, spits nipple out, clenches mouth closed
distracted by surroundings

Watch these webinars at cacfp.org/learning-center Get the resource in English & Spanish
• Feeding Infants: What, When and How at cacfp.org/everyday-education
• Feeding Infants: 0-5 Months
• Feeding Infants: Starting Solid Foods

cacfp.org :: 14 :: 2022-2023

Why We Do What We Do

Candy Triunfel

After working in criminal justice for six years,
Candy Triunfel realized that she simply was
not fulfilled by her career. Reflecting on her
life passions, she opened her home child care in
2011, and is overjoyed with her new career.

When Candy started her child care, she

immediately joined the CACFP, which allowed

“Their gratitude is better than her to serve nutritious meals. The staff eats
alongside the children to role model healthy

anything I could have received in eating and facilitate discussion about food. The

my previous job.” children are involved with mealtime, performing Serving Milk
in the CACFP
a job for the week to help serve or prepare the
Got questions? We’ve got answers! There
meal. Candy also hosts parent engagement days where parents visit the class for arts are a number of training and technical
assistance tools to help CACFP operators
and crafts, projects, and mealtimes. Candy understands that when parents, teachers, and know which milk to serve to different
age groups to ensure menus are fully
students are all working together and on the same page, the children are more successful. reimbursed. Check them out!

Fausat Rahman-Davies Download worksheets in English & Spanish
at cacfp.org/meal-patterns
Fausat Rahman-Davies’ early life was in a village in Nigeria
before she immigrated to the United States for better
education, but she often tells people that the community of
Rialto, California is her village now. Fausat is on a mission
to stop hunger in Rialto, and she has had an enormous
impact on the CACFP locally.

When the pandemic shutdown forced meal distribution at the
Rialto Unified School District into drive-thru lines, Fausat’s team didn’t simply hand out
lunch sacks through car windows. She gave it a unique twist, creating drive-thru BBQs
with DJs, community volunteers, seasonal themes, and most importantly, delicious and
nutritious food. In a period of isolation for many, Fausat found a way to create joy and
offer culturally relevant dining - all while maintaining pandemic precautions.

Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action

The Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action Train your staff with
Head Start uses the Harvest for Healthy Kids Serving Milk Bingo,
Curriculum, where each month a different available in English
vegetable and fruit are focused on through all of & Spanish at
the senses. They have a community garden where fns.usda.gov/tn/serving-milk-bingo
parents and children work together.
Watch the webinar
Through the CACFP and Head Start, there are Serving Milk in the CACFP at
cacfp.org/thirty-on-thursdays
requirements to serve healthy food, but the team
Find information on flexibilities
goes beyond those. They started an initiative to at cacfp.org/policies-regulations

“We are able to provide families incorporate more culturally diverse foods into cacfp.org :: 15 :: 2022-2023

with quality care and children their cycle menus to appeal to their families.
with the nutrition they need to They asked for feedback from parents, teachers,
and students, and children serve as “Official Head
grow up and develop.” Start Tasters.” Community Action Head Start

wants the children in their care to succeed not just now, but throughout life, in all areas of

life. Involving the parents and asking children to participate in their nutrition choices is

part of attaining the overall goal.

Tell us your story by emailing [email protected]. We would love to feature your program.

CACFP Inspire Awards

This year, we created the CACFP Inspire Awards, which celebrate the incredible individuals and organizations who reimagined and
executed the CACFP during the pandemic. Winners were named in three categories at the 2022 National Child Nutrition Conference.

When the pandemic began, Feeding Many people developed new hobbies Children’s Hunger Alliance currently
the Gulf Coast had to quickly change during the pandemic, from baking bread sponsors 525 family child care
from serving snacks and suppers to to learning a new instrument. Brooke providers, 60 child care centers, over
serving hot meals for about 1,600 Wolf brought gardening and farm-to- 350 afterschool programs, and over
students per day within its Mobile and plate eating to 17 individual sites, 174 250 summer programs. In the wake of
Baldwin County area. Rebekah Dawson children, and 135 families. Quality Care the pandemic, CHA stepped in with
demonstrated flexibility and urgency Services recorded over 7,500 pounds of curbside or grab-and-go ready meals,
in rapidly pivoting their services. With local foods served in nine months from securing approved components and
Rebekah at the helm, they served 84 17 sub-grantees. This gardening grant packing them onsite for providers.
afterschool meal sites with 276,614 inspired, encouraged, and improved the The collaboration between CHA and
snacks and 91,000 suppers dispersed quality of the CACFP throughout the its providers grew to such scale that
across their 24-county service area. Quality Care Services sponsorship.  they ultimately leased a warehouse to
accommodate the size of the operation.

Read more inspiring stories from over 500 nominations and our Inspire Award finalists at cacfp.org/blog.

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A National Platform for the Child and Adult Care Food Program Community

This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Know someone who isn't participating on the food program?
Help them get reimbursed for serving nutritious meals.
Connect them with Find a Sponsor at cacfp.org.