cacfp.org/conference 51 Thursday CACFP Meal Patterns, Beginner Quizapalooza: Are you a Meal Pattern Super Star? S2 Sebastian I-2 Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association Think you know the meal pattern like the back of your hand? From food components to required serving sizes to substitutions and variations of the meal pattern by age groups, there is so much more to know beyond the basics. Test your knowledge, or learn something new, as we review a wide range of meal pattern topics through polls and interactive learning! 1. Review the differences between the infant and child & adult meal patterns. 2. Identify foods that are creditable in the CACFP. 3. Learn about the food exceptions in the meal pattern. Program Admin & Operations, Beginner Oversight and Monitoring of the CACFP S4 Panzacola F-4 Melissa Tramontana, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Amanda Briggs, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Stephanie Robinson, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Program monitoring is essential for ensuring that the federally funded child nutrition programs meet the requirements set forth in regulations, are operated with integrity, and provide nutritious meals and snacks to those who participate in the programs. Learn what is required federally from sponsoring organizations to fulfill this responsibility. 1. Understand Federal monitoring requirements for CACFP sponsoring organizations. 2. Identify best practices for effective and efficient monitoring reviews. 3. Establish a monitoring plan and evaluate your current monitoring practices. Policy & Advocacy, Intermediate Promoting Participation: Advancing CACFP in Your State S7 Sebastian I-3 Nora Geary, MPH, MSW, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, McKing Consulting Corporation Learn how your state’s ECE system can promote participation in the CACFP through policies and activities, such as licensing regulations and recognition programs. Review data from the CDC’s updated ECE State Indicator Report (2023) and the Spectrum of Opportunities, which can be used to identify existing policies and activities that advance the CACFP. 1. Understand CDC’s Spectrum of Opportunities Framework. 2. Explore opportunities for collaboration. 3. Learn how to use CDC’s ECE State Indicator Report for action. Farm to ECE, Beginner Feed the Soil: Let’s Compost! S1 Sebastian I-1 Mary Greer, MPA, Community Action Organization of WNY Pamela Acker, MS, Community Action Organization of WNY Reports from the CDC reveal concerning statistics: each day 50% of children do not eat vegetables and 33% do not eat fruits. Surprisingly, the introduction of composting can have a positive impact on children’s willingness to try vegetables and fruits, as understanding their life cycle encourages them to try new produce. Discover how a NY Head Start program incorporated composting to promote healthier eating. 1. Examine data from the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Reports. 2. Learn how composting exposes children to science, logic and reasoning. 3. Explore how composting can encourage healthy eating habits. Afterschool Meals, Intermediate Making the Connection: Brain Foods For Healthy SEL S1 Panzacola H-2 Erica Moore, MA, CHN, Who Spilled The Veggies Co. How many times have you encountered a child who is “seemingly” having a bad day but does not want to talk about it? You then discover that they have had little to eat, an inadequate amount of water, and froze up while taking a test. They have struggled throughout the day and are feeling uncomfortable around their peers. Explore the connection between the foods we eat and our mental health. 1. Identify mental roadblocks to improve social emotional learning. 2. Develop a strategy to introduce foods for a healthy lifestyle. 3. Discover healthy, new foods and learn safe preparation skills. Commercial Understanding Overhead with Your Part-Time Controller Panzacola H-3 Theresa Ten Eyck, CPA, MPA, Your Part Time Controller Understanding overhead is vital to strong financial management for every organization. Discover what is an appropriate administrative ratio to maintain for nonprofit organizations. Explore how Your Part-Time Controller can help you develop a more effective financial analysis. 1. Hear how we debunk the overhead myth. 2. Understand the importance of reasonable and consistent cost allocations. 3. Identify how revenue diversification can help supplement overhead costs. Nutrition Education, Beginner Navigating Special Diets S1 Panzacola G Jami Rokala, MS, RDN, LD, CLC, CMP, CCNP, Headwaters Nutrition Counseling, LLC Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. What is the difference between the three? Learn how to navigate proper documentation, communication, and compliance to foster a safe environment for children with special dietary needs and requests. 1. Identify the differences between allergies, intolerances, and sensitives. 2. Learn what documentation is required for CACFP in order to make a substitution. 3. Get tips for communicating with families and medical providers.
52 National CACFP Sponsors Association Featured Speakers | 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm USDA SFSP Policy Update S8 Panzacola G Kevin Maskornick, MPP, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Megan Geiger, RDN, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Hear from USDA Food and Nutrition Service staff as they present an overview of new and revised policy guidance for the Summer Food Service Program and share a state-of-the-state update of the SFSP. The USDA Food and Nutrition Service works to end hunger and obesity through the administration of 15 federal nutrition assistance programs including the Summer Food Service Program, which is crucial to ensuring year-round access to foods for children. The Unconscious Mind: Implicit Bias S6 Panzacola F-1 Kavita Sawh, MS, University of Central Florida, Ginsburg Center for Inclusion and Community Engagement Research demonstrates that 90% of the time our decision-making occurs subconsciously, meaning our brain is forming perceptions and making decisions based on our beliefs and past experiences. Unless we make a conscious choice to explore our decision-making process, our conclusions often include biases and limit our ability to think outside the box, consider alternative solutions, work collaboratively with diverse populations, and treat people equitably. Understand the meaning and origins of implicit bias and explore how it shows up in your work. The Power of the Food Program S? Panzacola H-1 Lisa Mack, National CACFP Sponsors Association You’ve spent the week learning about operations, administration, meal patterns, policy, research, and resources integral to your participation in and understanding of the CACFP. But you’ve still got questions. It’s no secret that learning the ins and outs of the CACFP can be a journey that spans years. Whether you are a seasoned professional or are new to child nutrition, we can help! Discover where to find training opportunities, share a-ha moments, celebrate the important work you do every day, and participate in real talk about the Power of the Food Program. Scan the QR code to join our Facebook Community Group!
cacfp.org/conference 53 Thursday USDA Town Hall 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm S7 Panzacola G Join us at the USDA Town Hall and get the answers to your most commonly asked questions directly from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service team, based on those submitted in advance. Kevin Maskornick, MPP Alice McKenney, MS Melissa Rothstein Megan Geiger, RDN Shop Talks 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm Respecting Family Day Care Home Providers S4 St. John’s 25 You’ve been monitoring family day care home providers for years, but do you know all of their roles and responsibilities? Engage in an open discussion to understand how they impact your relationship with them as a monitor. Alethea Etinoff, CCNP, The Business Of Early Childhood Education Emergency Shelters: CACFP Safety Net S2 St. John’s 22 Exchange your best practices and strategies for ensuring equitable access to nutritious foods in Emergency Shelters. Crishna Hill, MPH, USDA Food and Nutrition Service Native Nutrition: Understanding Access & Overcoming Obstacles S1 St. John’s 26 Curious about traditional Native foods? Want to have a better understanding of food access on Indian reservations? Discuss the history of food obstacles for Native communities and share tips to overcome them. Amy Warne, MBA, RD, LD, Partnership for a Healthier America Next Steps: Applying Your #NCNC24 Wisdom S6 St. John’s 24 You’ve immersed yourself in the wealth of knowledge at the conference, but what’s the next step? Let’s exchange ideas to turn our conference insights into actionable steps for success! Jocelyn Moss, MA, CMP, CCNP, YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Menu Adventures: Engaging Staff and Parents S1 St. John’s 23 Is it a challenge to get your children to try new items on the menu? Swap ideas and suggestions for how to engage staff and parents to encourage children to try new menu items. Jennifer Lemons, Abundant Hearts Daycare NCNC23 was my first time attending and it was very well organized. The presenters were great. I gained lots of useful information and learned a lot from colleagues in other states. I will definitely return again! Andrea October Virginia Dept. of Education
54 National CACFP Sponsors Association Friday, April 26 8:00 am -9:00 am Rising Leader Coffee Hour Suwannee 17 You’re ambitious and passionate about the CACFP. Join us for a cup of coffee while we talk about how you can get more involved in the association and become a leader in your program. Lisa Mack, National CACFP Sponsors Association Annetta Rutland, CMP, CCNP, 4C for Children Denise Andrews, CMP, CCNP, For the Children Alix Pasillas, CMP, CCNP, Food for Kids 9:15 am - 10:15 am CACFP Meal Pattern Exceptions S2 Suwannee 17 The meal patterns are generally straightforward. However, there are some exceptions to the rules. Learn what to look for, how to menu plan with these in mind, and how they can benefit your meal service. 1. Get answers to commonly asked questions. 2. Discover how to find resources to tackle exceptions. 3. Understand how these impact your CACFP operations. Lisa Mack, National CACFP Sponsors Association 10:30 am - 11:30 am More About CACFP: Ask Us Anything! S2 Suwannee 17 Don’t go home with unanswered questions. Want to know if something is creditable or meets the meal patterns? Have additional questions regarding audits? Need to clarify program administration or budgeting guidance? Get the answers you need from our experienced panel and make sure you go home with knowledge to impact your program. Annetta Rutland, CMP, CCNP, 4C for Children Denise Andrews, CMP, CCNP, For the Children Alix Pasillas, CMP, CCNP, Food for Kids 11:45 am - 12:30 pm CACFP Professional Certification Q&A Suwannee 17 Are you ready to earn your CACFP Management Professional or the CACFP Child Nutrition Professional designation but need more information? Bring your questions about certification requirements, acceptable documentation and the application process. Elizabeth Sherman, National CACFP Sponsors Association Learning Excursions Discover firsthand how the Rosen Preschool and the Community Partnership School at Orange County Public Schools Academic Center for Excellence give students access to healthy nutrition, summer programs, before and after school services, mentors, counseling, and on-site health care—all where students and their families are comfortable: in their own school. Tour the school campus, the Orange Blossom Family Health Pediatrician, and the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida. Hear about core partnerships with the Rosen Foundation, University of Central Florida, and Valencia College that help make it all possible. Excursions will be from 8:30 am - 11:00 am and 9:30 am - 12:00 pm. Pre-registration required. Building Brighter Tomorrows: Rosen Preschool and OCPS Academic Center for Excellence
cacfp.org/conference 55 Friday Annual CACFP Training FY24 S2 Looking for comprehensive CACFP training for new or seasoned CACFP operators working in child care centers, family homes, or adult day care centers? Review annual training topics including meal patterns, meal counts, claims submission, review procedures, recordkeeping requirements, monitoring requirements, reimbursement system, Civil Rights, important updates in the CACFP, as well as medical statements and food allergies. 1. Learn how to maintain compliance in the CACFP. 2. Explore useful tools and resources to help you operate the CACFP. 3. Assess medical statements and what you need to have on file. Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association CORE Training: Management Plans S6 Learn the meaning behind management plans and how they relate to the CACFP performance standards. Learn the key points through individual and group activities. 1. Identify the purpose and requirements of a management plan. 2. Learn how to evaluate, monitor, revise, and submit a management plan. 3. Get management plan best practices for program success. Cherese Myree, CFE, MH Miles, CPA, PC Arnette Cowan, MS, RD, MH Miles Company, CPA, PC Leading and Managing Multigenerational Teams S6 Most organizations struggle to address the “generational crisis.” For organizations, generational differences in the workplace can cause conflict, dissent, and decreased productivity. When approached positively, a multigenerational workplace can promote innovation and increase profits. Learn how to rise above generational stereotypes in the workplace. 1. Understand generational differences. 2. Explore the implications of a multigenerational context for the workplace. 3. Develop strategies for leading a multigenerational team. Michael Strawser, PhD, University of Central Florida Medical Statements, Milk Substitutions & Specials Diets S1 Have you ever received a parent’s or doctor’s note describing a meal modification or substitution to serve a child or adult in your care? Maybe you have felt confused or overwhelmed on how to modify the menu to ensure foods are safe to serve to a participant with a disability. 1. Learn when you need to have a medical statement to serve safe, reimbursable foods in the CACFP. 2. Identify creditable and non-creditable milk substitutions in the CACFP, including what documentation you may need. 3. Understand how to tailor foods for special diets, like vegetarian, pureed, and gluten-free diets. Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, National CACFP Sponsors Association Grant Writing 101 S5 New to grant writing or need a refresher? Learn how to read and respond to a Request for Proposal when applying for a grant. Get tips on how to write a statement of need, outline measurable objectives and evaluation measures, and put together budget justifications. 1. Learn the grant process step by step. 2. Identify grant writing obstacles and how to overcome them. 3. Understand the three most important requirements when applying. Alexia Thex, MEd, National CACFP Sponsors Association Postconference Academy Pre-registration required. See your ticket for room location. Session 1 | 8:00 am - 10:00 am Session 2 | 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
56 National CACFP Sponsors Association Exhibitor Directory abtglobal.com Abt Global is a consulting and research firm that has combined data and bold thinking to improve the quality of people’s lives since 1965. Booth #117 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card amazingfruitproducts.com Here at Amazing Fruit Products, we have dedicated ourselves to providing you with all natural, whole food, fruit flavor-infused snacks that you can feel great about. Booth #118 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Walmart gift card earlylearningleaders.org Our mission is to elevate the quality of early learning experiences for young children by strengthening the knowledge, skills, and abilities of early education leaders and their teams. Booth #608 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card butterballfoodservice.com Butterball is a producer of turkey products in the U.S. with more than 60 years of experience. Booth #218 butterbuds.com Making Healthy Happen by Butter Buds! No cook Butter & Cheddar sauces plus high temp pan sprays available. Booth #415 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card sph.unc.edu/cgbi Free resources to reinforce lactation support for families & staff. Simple job aides created with & for ECE professionals. Booth #216 championfoodservice.com Provides a nutritional line of shelf-stable breakfast, lunch, snack, and supper packs for schools, food banks, and faith-based community organizations. Booth #604 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card childwatch.com Mobile meals capture, menu planning, milk reconciliation, site monitoring and claims processing for sponsors, homes & centers. Booth #308 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card choicepartners.org Choice Partners national co-op: competitively bid food, equipment and service contracts; EDGAR and USDA compliant; and may be used with federal funds. Booth #515 darlingtonsnacks.com Darlington offers a unique snacking experience. Products are I/W, shelf stable and pre-baked in a nut-free facility. Booth #315 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card dolefoodservice.com/k12 From time-saving products to menu trends and recipe inspiration, Dole brings Brilliant Fruit Solutions™ to K-12 operators. Booth #304 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card doctoryum.org We are a pediatrician-founded non-profit on a mission to help families and communities overcome the barriers to eating well. Booth #317 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card esfoods.com Our Meal Breaks meal kits are available three ways: shelf stable, thaw & serve and heat & serve. Booth #204 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card earlylearningventures.org Mission-driven nonprofit with a shared services model that provides one on one support for providers utilizing CACFP, EHS, and other ECE programs. Booth #417 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card ekonopac.com A company with a long history of making food packaging easier and eye catching for institutional food services. Booth #116 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card thefarmerstruck.com Mobile Produce Market Trucks to help your organization increase fresh, healthy, affordable food access in your community. Booth #616 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Target gift card fdacs.gov The Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness conducts, supervises and administers child nutrition and commodity food distribution programs. Booth #109 floridahealth.gov The Florida Child Care Food Program (CCFP) ensures children have access to nutritious foods for healthy growth. Booth #107 Door Prize Food Sample Giveaway Special Guest Industry Partner National Ally
cacfp.org/conference 57 foodandsupplysource.com Since 1999, Food & Supply Source has been assisting child care centers in saving money on food and supplies. Booth #318 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card pepsicofoodforgood.com In the US, Food for Good tackles child hunger by making healthy food more physically and financially accessible for lowincome families. Booth #413 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card freshbaby.com Fresh Baby develops products to empower all ages with the knowledge to put US Dietary and Physical Activity Guidelines into action. Booth #416 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card bellinstitute.com/resources/childcare At General Mills, we believe food should make us better, so we work hard to make food the world loves, while improving the nutrition of our products. Booth #503 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card gerber.com Gerber is a leader in childhood nutrition committed to being your partner in childcare. Access CACFP ordering options. Booth #516 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card gogosqueez.com Since 2008, GoGo squeeZ® has been the leading squeezable pouch snack made with fruit, vegetables, yogurts, and other nutritious ingredients. Booth #618 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card gonapsacc.org Build healthy eating and physical activity habits in children through our easy-to-use online tools, resources, and trainings. Booth #407 goya.com/en/recipes/myplate Goya MyPlate Recipes and Goya Better For You products are lower in sodium, sugar & saturated fat to help people deliciously meet U.S. Dietary Guidelines. Booth #404 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card healthepro.com Health-e Pro simplifies menu planning and compliance, helps with accurately crediting recipes and maintaining documentation. Booth #203 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card healthyfamilyproject.com At Healthy Family Project, our team is dedicated to creating a healthier generation through easy, fun, and inspiring content. Booth #115 highlandbeeffarms.com Highland Beef Farms is a leader in the development and marketing of high-quality, shelf-stable meat and cheese snack products. Booth #411 theicn.org Education and Training Resources for CACFP Professionals. All resources are FREE of charge and available for download on our website. Booth #205 jjsnackfoodservice.com J&J Snack Foods offers healthy, nutritious, student approved products with offerings for every time of day! Booth #217 packagedmealkit.com Grab & Go Meals For Afterschool & Summer Feeding Programs Booth #615 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card jacklinks.com Jack Link’s is a global leader in portable protein snacks with products that meet the needs of CACFP operators. Booth #314 kidkare.com 30 years leading CACFP-compliant software, eliminating Food Program paperwork. Maximize claims & empower providers nationwide. Booth #504 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card lapllc.com A leader in breastfeeding education for over 30 years. Now offering bilingual children’s books with a focus on healthy living! Booth #409 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Target gift card link2feed.com No more paper forms! A fully mobile point of service software that helps CACFP/SFSP sponsors go paperless, automate compliance and increase reimbursements. Booth #605 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card logatot.com LogATot’s VoiceBoard minimizes CACFP burden on providers, resulting in more providers on CACFP, higher compliance and lower costs. Booth #113 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card Scan the QR code to opt into our Door Prize program and enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes!
58 National CACFP Sponsors Association mhmiles.com MH Miles Co. is a CPA firm specializing in governmental compliance for CACFP, SFSP, and NSLP providing services to CNP sponsors, State agencies, and USDA FNS. Booth #603 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card missolivesreadymeals.com Miss Olive’s Meals provides shelf stable, healthy meals or meal kits perfect for your rural, non-congregate settings. Booth #312 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card mushroomsinschools.com Mushrooms are grown indoors and year-round, making them a nutritious and flavor-boosting ingredient to add to meals no matter the season! Booth #215 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card myersandstauffer.com Myers and Stauffer offers comprehensive Child Nutrition Program (CNP) compliance review services. Booth #612 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card cacfp.org The leading national organization supporting CACFP & SFSP sponsors and providers with educational webinars, resources and community. Booth #403 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card novickchildcare.com Novick Childcare Solutions provides the services, food, and essentials you need to succeed with your CACFP nutrition program. Booth #206 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card oliverquality.com Packaging system-machine, trays, film lidding. Package your fresh meals and snacks. Ideal for non-congregate service and FFVP. Booth #517 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card optimumfoods.com Optimum Foods is a shelf stable meal company dedicated to solving America’s child hunger crisis. Booth #303 Opt in for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare Better Kid Care provides evidence-informed professional development opportunities for those who care for children and youth. Booth #111 petersonfarmsinc.com Producer of packaged fresh sliced apples, applesauce cups (variety of flavors) and 108 oz pouch of applesauce. USDA and Smart Snack approved. Booth #306 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card simplegoodfoodsco.com Simple Good Foods LLC (SGF) delivers great tasting, grainbased snacks that are healthier versions of mass market products for the K-12 and Early Education Markets. Booth #310 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card streampay.com StreamPay streamlines sponsor payments, empowering providers with improved financial management and cuts admin burden. Booth #617 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card tarrierfoods.com Tarrier Foods/Rockin’ola supplies allergen friendly granola, cereal, and snacks to the foodservice industry. Booth #316 fns.usda.gov/team-nutrition The USDA Team Nutrition is your support in administering the child nutrition food programs! Booth #103 wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov WIC is there to help every step of the way, no matter what stage of the breastfeeding journey you’re in. Booth #106 fns.usda.gov/f2s/farm-to-school Makes local food and agricultural education available to child nutrition programs through grants, research, technical assistance, and training. Booth #104 voyatek.com Voyatek’s innovative CACFP solution optimizes the user experience, automates program processes, and meets all federal requirements. Booth #418 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card thewalkingclassroom.org The Walking Classroom is an evidence-based enrichment program that strengthens students’ physical, mental, and academic health. Booth #518 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card yptc.com YPTC began supporting nonprofits in 1993 as a small enterprise and has grown into a national firm of 600+ staff and 1700+ clients! Booth #610 Opt in for a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card Door Prize Food Sample Giveaway Special Guest Industry Partner National Ally Scan the QR code to opt into our Door Prize program and enter for a chance to win fabulous prizes!
cacfp.org/conference 59 NCA Memberships • NCA Membership • Organization Membership • CACFP Sponsor Membership • SFSP Sponsor Membership CACFP Professional Certifications • CACFP Child Nutrition Professional (CCNP) • CACFP Management Professional (CMP) Partnership Opportunities Contact [email protected] to learn more Find it in the Marketplace Reach Over 100,000 Stakeholders • National Child Nutrition Conference • CACFP in the Kitchen • Sponsored Content • Visibility on cacfp.org CACFP Resources Order bulk printed materials for providers or to send home • CACFP Meal Pattern Reference Cards • Child Nutrition Today Magazine • CACFP Nutrition Calendar & Training Program • Whole Grain-Rich Quick Guides Scan the QR Code or visit info.cacfp.org/marketplace cacfp.org :: 1 :: 2021-2022 Child Nutrition For the Child and Adult Care Food Program Community Today COVID Updates Ounce Equivalents New Food Crediting Meals to Go & More! In This Issue
60 National CACFP Sponsors Association Meet All Our Speakers & Presenters NCA Board of Directors Kate Abernathy, MS, RD, LD, CMP, CCNP Chief Executive Officer Providers Choice Kate’s work focuses on expanding participation of CACFP healthy meals and snacks to children across Minnesota. Providers Choice sponsors over 3,000 homes and 60 centers. Kate’s in-depth nutrition expertise and leadership supports providers with managing special diets, creating resources to simplify the CACFP and overall program support to child care providers. She has a BA from the College of Saint Benedict and her MS from Eastern Michigan University. Pamela Acker, PhD, MS Education Specialist Community Action Organization of WNY Pamela graduated from high school with honors and received a full scholarship to Canisius College, where she obtained her MS and PhD in Education. She is committed to the CACFP because she believes everyone needs a champion in their life. Yetunde Akingbemi, MPH, RDN Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Yetunde serves on the Nutrition Education and Innovation Division to work on promotion efforts for MyPlate. Yetunde’s career includes serving as an Early Childhood Health and Nutrition Specialist/Coordinator for the Early Head Start and Head Start programs, a nutritionist for the WIC program, and time as a Clinical Pediatric Dietitian. She holds a Master of Public Health in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota. Featured Speaker Kenneth Aldridge, Jr., RN-BSN, MS-HSA Director of Health & Wellness Rosen Health In his role, Kenneth oversees the care of more than 10,000 patients. He has over two decades of experience implementing preventative care services that have saved millions of dollars in healthcare costs. For this and other dedications, he was awarded the 2011 Outstanding Health Administrator by the Orlando Business Journal and the 2012 Outstanding Alumni Award from the UCF College of Public Health and Affairs. He serves on several board of directors and teaches as an adjunct professor in UCF’s Master’s Program. Kenneth earned his MS-HSA and RN-BSN from the University of Central Florida. Shannon Amos, MFCS Vice President, Agency Programs Children’s Hunger Alliance Shannon provides oversight and leadership for the sponsorship of over 900 child care centers, family child care homes, afterschool & summer sites; expanding children’s access to food through school breakfast expansion; and nutrition education in these settings. Shannon holds a BA in Child and Family Community Services and a MFCS in Human Development and Family Studies with a nutrition focus from Bowling Green State University. NCA Board of Directors Denise Andrews, CMP, CCNP CEO & Director For the Children Denise helped establish For the Children, a nonprofit CACFP sponsor for licensed child care homes in Oklahoma, in 2000. In her position at FTC, Denise strives to develop cooperative working relationships with other sponsors and child care providers and hopes to do the same at a national level. Tamara Baker Project and Communications Director Carolina Hunger Initiative and No Kid Hungry NC at UNC Chapel Hill In addition to her current role, Tamara has helped lead the No Kid Hungry NC anti-hunger campaign since it was established in 2011. She also manages the federal SNAP-Education grant for improving nutrition policy, systems and the related environment for children in low-income areas. She has decades of experience in child and food-related advocacy and communications. She is a graduate of Columbia College. Jennifer Bailey, MS, MPH, RDN, LDN, SNS Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Jennifer provides a variety of technical assistance and training for Child Nutrition Programs operators, State Agency personnel and food manufacturers. She recently joined the USDA team and brings with her over 15 years of experience at the district and State Agency levels in North Carolina school and summer nutrition programs. She is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine and the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.
Jennifer Basey, MEd Certification Program Administrator National CACFP Sponsors Association Jennifer has served in many roles for the association including membership, website, conference, sales, and education. She’s currently responsible for the development of education materials and oversees the Certification program. Jennifer spent ten years in education as an elementary teacher and as an instructional coach working directly with teachers. She holds an MEd from Texas State University. Charity Blair Education Program Specialist Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Charity creates and presents CACFP training topics including record keeping, meal pattern and menus, infant feeding, and Family Day Care Home training and compliance. Charity has extensive experience with the CACFP serving for twelve years as both a teacher and childcare center administrator. She received her Associate of Arts from Columbus State University. Caitlin Boland RD, LDN Principal Dietitian Novick Childcare Solutions Caitlin has a passion for using nutrition to make a positive impact on the lives of children and their families. She spends her time researching new products that meet the unique needs of the customer as well as the updated CACFP requirements. She assists clients with menu planning, product questions and provides nutritional training. Caitlin received her BS in Nutritional Sciences from Pennsylvania State University and completed her dietetic internship at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Tamika Boone, MPA Director of Nutrition Services Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Tamika has 19 years of state government experience and provides leadership and oversight of Georgia’s CACFP and SFSP programs. Tamika earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia and was designated a Certified Government Audit Professional by the Institute of Internal Auditors.
62 National CACFP Sponsors Association *SPECIFIC COMPONENTS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON AVAILABILITY
cacfp.org/conference 63 Lynda Bryant-Leibrock Grant Accountant III Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency Lynda’s experience spans over 37 years in accounting, operational and financial management in for-profit and non-profit organizations. Her leadership skills and experience in financial management, multiple fund accounting, grants management, strategic planning and business development are the tools she brings to equip individuals and business owners with the resources to become successful. Heather Burkhead-Goins, MEd Education and Training Specialist Institute of Child Nutrition Heather has over 20 years of experience in early childhood, special education, nutrition, preschool administration, and undergraduate adult learning. Prior to ICN, Heather was a child nutrition consultant for KY DOE; served as a director in Head Start, afterschool and family child care; and a statelicensed rater for ERS, assisting in the formation of the KY ALL STARS. She holds a MEd from Kentucky State University. McKenzie Brunner, MGPS Policy and Outreach Specialist National CACFP Sponsors Association McKenzie is responsible for tracking nutrition policy trends and legislation and serving as a subject matter expert for CACFP. She is also tasked with developing nonprofit partnerships and promoting collaboration among CACFP providers. McKenzie received her Master’s of Global Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. With a background in international development and foreign policy, McKenzie is passionate about increasing food security through promoting equitable policy and cross-sector collaboration. Patrick Butler, MS Education and Training Specialist Institute of Child Nutrition Patrick develops school nutrition education and trainings resources, and ICN’s Introduction to School Nutrition Leadership. He is passionate about providing child nutrition professionals with resources that can help them improve their skills and abilities. Patrick has 9 years of experience in school nutrition. He also has a master’s degree in leadership and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Belhaven University. Marion Campbell, MA Nutrition Education Specialist Coordinator YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Prior to joining the YWCA, Marion was a mental health professional at a group home, working with at-risk youth. In her current role, she coordinates the Tummy Program through monitoring, processing claims to the state, issuing payments and supporting the monitors in the field. Marion ensures that providers receive relevant information from CACFP and the State via trainings and written communication. She holds an MA in Psychology from Calumet College of St. Joseph. Walter Campbell, MBA Executive Director of Nutrition Services Charleston County School District Walter has had the privilege of running Charleston County School District’s Nutrition Services Department successfully since 2006. The district has one of the largest Summer Meals programs, supper programs, and fresh fruit and vegetable programs in the state. Over the last few years, he has created habits and developed a slight edge philosophy that has not only improved his health but the health of his Nutrition Services Department. He holds an MBA from The Citadel. Wendy Cannon Cooking Program & Outreach Specialist and Preschool Curriculum Creative Director Dr. Yum Project In addition to her role with Dr. Yum, Wendy is the Program Director at Fredericksburg Cooperative Preschool, where she has been teaching pre-K for 20 years. Wendy helps run The Table at St. George’s, a fresh-market food pantry focused on giving fruits and locally sourced vegetables to community members in need. She is a graduate of Mary Washington College. NCA Board of Directors Beth Carlton, CMP, CCNP Executive Director Child Care Links Association Beth has worked with the CACFP for over 25 years. This will be her sixth year as Executive Director. She has held her CMP and CCNP for the last seven years. She has a passion for making sure all children have access to quality child care and healthy meals and snacks, believing children should have a knowledge of where their food comes from.
64 National CACFP Sponsors Association Ken Cerini, CPA, CFP, FABFA Managing Partner Cerini & Associates, Inc. Ken is the executive responsible for the administration of not-for-profit and educational provider practice groups. In addition to his extensive audit experience, he has been directly involved in providing consulting services for nonprofits and educational facilities of all sizes throughout New York State in such areas as cost reporting, financial analysis, Medicaid compliance, government audit representation, rate maximization, board training, budgeting and forecasting, and more. Ken is a graduate of C.W. Post College. Tammy Chase-Brunelle, MA, CHES Food and Built Environment Lead North Carolina State University Tammy has worked in the public health sector for over 10 years in North Carolina and Hawaii, doing primary prevention work. As part of this work, Tammy works with community partners on the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs with a focus on food/nutrition security, physical activity and health equity. She holds an MA from East Carolina University and is currently pursing her PhD. Katie Chatfield, MPH, RDN, LD, CCNP Nutrition Manager Providers Choice Katie supports child care providers and staff in serving healthful, delicious food. She has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MPH from the University of Minnesota. Katie’s work, plus being a mom to her infant daughter, feeds her passion for childhood nutrition. Caliste Chong, MS Manager, Practice and Prevention Nemours Children’s Health Caliste joined the Nemours team in 2021 to support state partners to embed nutrition and physical activity strategies and best practices into state systems and to offer professional development opportunities for early care and education (ECE) providers. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s in human development and family studies from the University of Alabama. Featured Speaker Patti Jo Church-Houle Senior Executive Director Rosen Preschools and Home Day Cares Patti Jo began her education career first teaching kindergarten. Over the years, she also taught first and second grade. Her first seven years were spent in Polk County, Florida. She now oversees the Tangelo Park Preschool, Parramore Preschool, and the home day cares. Each day, she provides educational development and operational support to a devoted team of teachers. She says the field has let her achieve her lifelong dream of helping young people. Emily Clarke, RD, LDN Go NAPSACC Implementation Advisor, Nutrition Consultant UNC-CH, Center For Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Emily provides nutrition and implementation support to 23 states across the nation. Emily holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Food Science from Clemson University and is working towards her Master’s in Public Health at East Carolina University. She is passionate about increasing access to healthy food for children affected by food insecurity. Tristan Clerihew Product Manager Early Learning Ventures Having served educators nationally for more than 12 years, Tristan is highly regarded as an industry leader committed to social good. His goal is to empower others using technology and sound business practices to ensure long term success. During his tenure with Early Learning Ventures, he has helped hundreds of organizations improve their understanding of technology and how it can be applied to their mission and vision. He is a graduate of Siena College. Vickie Coffey Nutrition Services/Healthy Schools Director RBB Edgewood Schools Vickie has held her position for over 23 years and wears many hats for RBB including the Healthy Schools Chair, United Way Campaign Facilitator, and Stop the Bleed Coordinator. She is a Serv Safe Instructor and Proctor, trainer for the Institute of Child Nutrition, a LEAD to Succeed trainer for the National School Nutrition Association, and she has received the Franklin Leading Light Award for RBB Healthy Schools Culture. She attended Indiana University.
Brittany Coleman, MS, RD, LDN Education Specialist Delaware Department of Education Brittany began working in School Nutrition Programs in 2015 as a Nutrition Specialist. Her career path eventually led her to the Delaware Department of Education where she began working as a field agent in the School Nutrition Programs. In 2022, Brittany transitioned to her current role, helping oversee School Nutrition Programs, CACFP, and SFSP in Delaware. She holds an MS in Management of Food and Nutrition Systems with a focus in Child Nutrition Programs from the University of Southern Mississippi. Alex Cooper, MS Geospatial Research Analyst Child Care Aware of America Alex works on data analysis and mapping efforts to evaluate and advocate for child care. He has published on topics ranging from cultural identity to environmental sustainability, and he is working to apply these backgrounds and approaches to the child care sphere to work towards a more equitable and sustainable future for the ECE industry. He holds an MS from the University of Tennessee. Featured Speaker Caree Cotwright, PhD, MS, RDN Director of Nutrition Security and Health Equity USDA Food and Nutrition Service Dr. Cotwright leads a whole-of-Department approach to advancing food and nutrition security. She serves as one of two Departmental representatives on accelerating action on the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health goals to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, and reduce dietrelated diseases and disparities and implementing the corresponding National Strategy. Her work includes building public awareness of USDA’s actions to advance food and nutrition security. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Howard University. Arnette Cowan, MS, RD Compliance Training and Curriculum Development Specialist MH Miles Company, CPA, PC With more than 25 years of Child Nutrition Program experience, Arnette is a compliance training and curriculum development specialist with MH Miles Company where she develops and facilitates training curriculum and resources for Child Nutrition Programs for government agencies and private entities. Did you know Myers and Stauffer assists state agencies with administrative review and compliance services? Our experienced compliance team, including CACFP and SFSP administrative reviewers, can supplement your existing staff and assist your state agency. ■ CACFP and SFSP Administrative Reviews ■ FSMC Procurement Reviews ■ Child Care Grant Monitoring ■ CCDF Improper Payment Reviews Be sure to stop by our booth in the exhibit hall! Visit our website to learn more State Agency Program Compliance Our services include:
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cacfp.org/conference 67 Featured Speaker Jennifer Cronk Executive Director Rosen Preschool Parramore Jennifer’s long career in education is driven by her desire to provide students with the tools they need to succeed in life. Her commitment to their success is grounded in a belief that everyone should be afforded a safe, loving place to learn. As executive director, her goal for the Rosen Preschool is to serve as the proactive link that prepares children for public school and beyond, as well as help teachers and staff grow professionally. Erin Croom, MS CEO Small Bites Adventure Club Erin is the co-founder of Small Bites Adventure Club, a program for teachers to help children discover, love and eat their fruits and vegetables. Small Bites has reached over 40,000 children since 2019. After completing her MS at the University of Vermont in 2005, Erin moved to Georgia and helped establish the state’s first farm to school and ECE programming alongside state and federal partners. Melissa Daigle Katz, MPH Lead Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Melissa supports schools and childcare organizations in growing strong farm to school programs. Before joining farm to school, Melissa worked in CACFP and SFSP policy and in SNAP, building accessibility for regular and disaster benefits. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in clinical nutrition from the University of Texas Southwestern and a master’s degree in public health from the University of California Berkeley. Xaviera Davis, MS Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Xaviera develops and promotes nutrition education and technical assistance materials to support those participating in Child Nutrition Programs, with an emphasis on projects that support CACFP. Xaviera received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Delaware in Applied Nutrition and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from University of Maryland University College. Alexandria Dawson, MPA Education Program Specialist Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Alexandria served as the Early Education Director at the YMCA in Columbus and Youth Leader Administrator at the Ohio State School for the Blind prior to her current position. She has experience working with early education programs focusing on standards based academic and nutritional outcomes. Alexandria received her Master of Public Administration from Ashford University and Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Science from Ohio State University. Lauryn De George, EdD Senior Instructor, College of Business University of Central Florida Lauryn’s multidisciplinary work examines the characteristics of the College of Business’ Strategic Management course to fulfill the employment needs of community business leaders in Central Florida. Her commitment to student engagement and development is evidenced by numerous teaching incentive program awards, College of Business undergraduate excellence in teaching award, UCF Service Learning Appreciation award and a Florida Campus Compact Certified Scholar. Lauryn earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Central Florida in 2014. Jo Denton Account Executive KidKare by Minute Menu Jo is a dedicated humanitarian, skilled in nutrition compliance, and a caring mother. In her role, she applies her expertise to support caregivers, emphasizing the role of technology in child care. With a human services degree, Jo explores how nutrition impacts child growth. Her goal is to empower caregivers with evidence-based strategies for healthy food choices, promoting optimal child development and food access for all. She is a graduate of Columbia College. Colin Diamond Manager Myers and Stauffer Colin trains staff, managing scheduling and logistics, performing administrative reviews, and assisting in the quality assurance process. CACFP and SFSP reviews also include detailed reviews of financial statements, bank reconciliations, labor expenditures, comparisons of bank statements to reported costs, and reviewing purchased service documentation. He works closely with sponsor contacts both on-site and via desk reviews and has worked with various state clients. He received his accounting degree from Kennesaw State University.
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cacfp.org/conference 69 Suzanne Diggs Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Suzanne specializes in the Serious Deficiency process and oversees the National Disqualified List. Prior to joining FNS in 2011, she worked for the Maryland State agency for 17 years. Suzanne has a bachelor’s degree from Towson State University. Liz Dixon, MS Education and Training Specialist III Institute of Child Nutrition Liz has designed food safety resources for schools, CACFP, and SFSP for over ten years. She holds an MS in Food, Nutrition, and Culinary Sciences from Clemson University and a BS in Nutrition and Food Science from Auburn University. She is certified in Designing Learning, Microlearning, and Writing for Instructional Design and Training from ATD Education. Dana Ellis Senior Director of Child & Senior Nutrition Programs Food Bank of Central & Eastern NC Dana leads an incredible department of superstars who work with community partners to provide direct services to the most underserved populations. Her organization served over 3.5 million meals during FY22 through Afterschool Meals, school pantries, backpacks, CACFP and SFSP. She holds a BA from Fayetteville State University. Alethea Etinoff, CCNP Founder/CEO The Business of Early Childhood Education Alethea has over 10 years of experience in child care. She trademarked The Business of Early Childhood Education to create a safe space where all early childhood educators could agree to disagree. Alethea holds an AA in Business Administration. Patrice E. Farquharson, MS, EdD Executive Director and Associate Professor West Haven Child Development Center Patrice is well known for her expertise in early care and education serving as a consultant to the state of Connecticut. She has been in her current role for over 40 years. She is also an Associate Professor at Post University in Waterbury, Connecticut where she developed the early child care and education online program. She earned her MS from Southern Connecticut State University and her EdD from Nova Scotia University. Nimali Fernando, MD, MPH Founder and Pediatrician Dr. Yum Project Nimali is the owner of Yum Pediatrics, a fullservice general pediatrics practice with a focus on wellness and nutrition, and shares a large teaching kitchen and teaching garden with The Dr. Yum Project. She graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and School of Public Health with an MD and Master of Public Health degree. Ashley Flowers, MS, RDN, LDN Nutrition Coordinator/Dietitian Child Care Associates Ashley is passionate about elevating nutrition programs in CACFP providers because truly strong nutrition foundations come from nutrition experiences, not just balanced meals. Ashley has started gardens at five HS/EHS sites that have grown everything from arugula to zucchini! She holds an MS from Boston University. Ethan Fox, MPA Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Ethan is involved in policy development and research for the Program Integrity and Innovations Division. Ethan holds a Master of Public Administration with a focus on food policy from Ohio State University. Antonio Freitas, MST Director, Educational Experiences Sesame Workshop Antonio builds content for Sesame Street in Communities and Sesame Street for Military Families, and professionally trains caregivers and providers on ways to implement these resources in their work with children. Antonio has worked to create, implement, and refine professional development programs for Early Childhood educators for over 20 years as a classroom teacher, program director, and company deputy. Antonio holds an MST from Pace University. Luisyana Gamboa, MS Food Security Advisor, US Programs Save the Children Luisyana has over a decade of experience in the child-focused nonprofit sector. She is a certified nutritionist for the state of Kentucky and her educational background includes an MS in Hospitality and Dietetics Administration from the University of Kentucky and a BS in Human Nutrition, earned in Mexico. Her passion lies in helping to ensure children have the nourishing food they need to succeed as learners and in life.
70 National CACFP Sponsors Association Evelyn Garcia, MPH Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Evelyn develops and promotes nutrition education and technical assistance materials that support Child Nutrition Programs. Prior to this role, she served as a Program Specialist for the National Institutes of Health. Evelyn holds a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Global Health from George Mason University. She has presented at numerous webinars and national conferences on USDA’s Team Nutrition initiative. Nora Geary, MPH, MSW Early Care and Education Specialist Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, McKing Consulting Corporation Nora provides guidance, support and technical assistance to DNPAO recipients and other early care and education stakeholders on systems-level approaches to ensure children get the healthiest start possible in child care settings. Nora received her Master of Public Health and Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. Featured Speaker Megan Geiger, RDN Branch Chief, Community Meals Monitoring USDA Food and Nutrition Service Megan previously served in several different roles within the Program Monitoring and Operational Support Division (PMOS) before being promoted to Branch Chief over the Community Meals Monitoring Branch within FNS. Prior to joining FNS, Megan worked for two different food service management companies in DC Public Schools where she wrote menus and was responsible for procurement, training, and ensuring compliance with all USDA, State and local regulations. Jordan George, SPHR, LDCP, sHRBP Vice President, Client Solutions Curium Solutions Jordan is an award-winning culture transformation leader whose ambition is to change the way the world works for the better. He has invested more than 16,000 hours over the last 20 years helping businesses shape their organizational culture, lead through change, and foster a dynamic, high-impact workforce. Teams ranging from regional nonprofits to global Fortune 500 companies have transformed the way they work for the better. He is a graduate of Rollins College. Julia Gest, MEd Early Learning Program Development Specialist Pennsylvania State University Julia’s areas of interest include social-emotional learning and equitable practice for ECE professionals. She has taught in Pre-K and elementary classrooms, written research-informed curriculum for educators, developed research to practice courses and resources, supervised staff, and has trained and coached educators. Julia holds an MEd from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. NCA Board of Directors Deborah Gillison-Wilson, CMP, CCNP Executive Director Georgia Nutritional Services, Inc. Deborah has over 20 years of experience working with CACFP and has been a CACFP sponsor since 1996. She has led over 40 annual CACFP and Civil Rights trainings and has an overwhelming internal library of knowledge of CACFP. Under her directive, GNSI exists to improve and maintain sound nutritional health of children and adults by promoting the development of good eating habits for participants enrolled in their clients’ facilities. Bringing Magic to School Meals!
cacfp.org/conference 71 Valarie Glee, CCNP Nutrition Manager Coastal Plain Area EOA Head Start Valarie helps to oversee the daily health and nutrition operations of the EOA Head Start Centers. She assists the Health and Nutrition Team with conducting staff trainings throughout the school term. Valarie holds an AA degree in Early Childhood and Child Development. Joseph Golden, CCNP Food Service Coordinator Acelero Learning Joseph has been with Acelero for over four years and working with the CACFP for almost four years. He previously worked in the hotel industry. He has a passion for helping others find success. Brittany Gorman, MPH, RDN Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Brittany is the project lead for the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) and works on technical assistance resources for program operators. She has over eight years of experience with CNP working in various roles at the local and federal level. She holds an MPH from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mary Greer, MPA Nutrition Services Manager Community Action Organization of WNY Mary was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and attended Buffalo Public Schools. She is a graduate of Howard University and University of the District of Columbia. She has been a foster parent for over 10 years and has a passion for helping children and has fostered over 15 children. Julie Griffith, MPH, RDN Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Julie’s role includes being a subject matter expert in nutrition for CACFP, SFSP and Farm to CACFP. Previously she worked for the State of Colorado in several FNS programs including WIC, SFSP, NSLP and SBP. Her passion includes all things related to feeding children, finding innovative ways to source local foods and supporting our farmers. She is a graduate of the University of Colorado.
72 National CACFP Sponsors Association Katey Halasz, MPH, RD Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Katey works on the development of resources and training materials for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to support the implementation of the CACFP meal patterns. She completed her Bachelors of Science and dietetic internship through Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and received her Masters of Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dee Hankins Inspirational Speaker Dee Hankins, Inc. Dee’s mission to instill the power of resilience to students all across the country especially resonates with audiences as Dee approaches storytelling with his life struggles and how he has overcome them. After spending 18 years in foster care and watching his daughter battle brain cancer, Dee knows that life is full of unexpected events but our resilience can turn those experiences into incredible life lessons. Dee is a graduate of California State University, Long Beach. Cameron Hanley General Manager On Spot Dermatology Cameron brings several years of sales experience prior to his role at On Spot. He has worked in both the insurance and technology industry, excelling with his ability to build relationships. In his current role, he focuses on relationship building and Derma Drive scheduling with communities and organizations across Florida. He is a graduate of Northeastern University. Clay Hardin Manager Myers and Stauffer Clay trains staff, managing scheduling and logistics, performing administrative reviews, and assisting in the quality assurance process. He also performs detailed reviews of financial statements, bank reconciliations, labor expenditures, comparisons of bank statements to reported costs, and reviewing purchased service documentation. He has worked closely with sponsor contacts both on-site and via desk reviews and has worked with various state clients. He holds a BBA from Jacksonville State University. Holly Hatton, PhD Associate Professor and Early Childhood Extension Specialist University of Nebraska-Lincoln Holly’s primary interests and scholarly activity include co-creating and implementing programs to enhance the quality of early childhood development and care, with a particular focus on mental health, emotional well-being and socialemotional development. She is committed to addressing issues of systemic inequities in early care and education and brings these issues to the forefront of her work. Holly is a graduate of the University of California. Brett Haydin Director, Government Relations Boys and Girls Clubs of America Brett helps local out-of-school time providers access and implement the USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs. With experience working in more than 30 states, he has become a recognized leader and subject matter expert in the field. Brett oversaw BGCA’s CNP operations in five states with over 125 sites. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. Clarissa Hayes Deputy Director, School and Out-of-School Time Meal Programs Food Research & Action Center Clarissa joined FRAC in February 2015. She works to expand access to the child nutrition programs and helps to develop, meet, and track the team’s goals. Before joining FRAC, Clarissa was an anti-hunger program associate at Maryland Hunger Solutions (an initiative of FRAC) and worked to increase participation in the child nutrition programs across the state. Clarissa earned a BA in English and Anthropology from the University of Wisconsin. Kaushalya Heendeniya, MS, RD Branch Chief USDA Food and Nutrition Service Kaushalya supervises a dynamic group working on CNP projects and initiatives related to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the NSLP Afterschool Snack Service. She is a Registered Dietitian and earned her Master of Science degree in Dietetics at James Madison University.
cacfp.org/conference 73 Crishna Hill, MPH Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Crishna joined FNS after three years as a CACFP Program Specialist at the D.C. State agency. Her background includes a wide range of professional work experiences in brand management and college athletics that led to a career and passion for child nutrition and wellness. Crishna earned her Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University. Roslyn Holt Assistant Director of Child Nutrition Greenville Public Schools Roslyn is a graduate of T.L. Weston High School and she will obtain her BS in Business this May. Prior to her current role, she proudly served as a school cafeteria employee for over 20 years in Greenville, MS. She is ServSafe certified. Kathryn Hoy, PhD, RDN, LDN Curriculum Designer North Carolina State University Kathryn’s research interests include the implementation and evaluation of food assistance programs. She has 10+ years of experience designing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition programs across the country and she has created both national and state-level nutrition curricula. Currently, Kathryn serves as the Curriculum Development Extension Associate for North Carolina State University’s SNAP-Ed Program - Steps to Health. She has a PhD in Health Promotion, Education and Behavior from the University of South Carolina. David Hutabarat, MAM Partnerships Director National Farm to School Network Prior to his current role, David worked at Nourish Colorado supporting state policy efforts and healthy food incentive programs, like Double Up Food Bucks. David now continues this work through helping individuals and organizations connect and take collective action to build the farm to school movement together. He has a Masters of Management from the University of Redlands.
cacfp.org/conference 75 Sonya Irish Hauser, PhD, MS Associate Professor, Department Chair, Graduate Program Director Nutrition Science Department, Russell Sage College Sonya’s work focuses on community-based participatory action approaches to childhood obesity prevention and nutrition security. She is passionate about community initiatives that catalyze synergistic and mutually beneficial relationships among stakeholders. As an educator, she involves students across all areas of her work to provide meaningful servicelearning opportunities. Sonya holds a PhD in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition and a master’s degree in nutrition communication from Tufts University Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy. NCA Board of Directors Susan Ison, CMP Executive Director Helping Hands With degrees in music performance and therapy, psychology, and recreation therapy, Susan stumbled into the child nutrition arena when asked to temporarily take charge of Helping Hands. Susan has been in the CACFP now for 30 years and is passionate that the at-risk kids in Salt Lake City have access to enough food to start life healthy and happy. Susan graduated from Southern Utah University. Kate Jarvis Senior Outreach Coordinator, Food Service Innovation The Humane Society of the United States Kate’s team collaborates with the largest food service management companies and institutions in the country to help them implement more healthy, sustainable, and inclusive plant-based meals. This has included some of the nation’s largest school districts, as well as leading K12 Food Service Providers. Their work has been covered by national media, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and CNN. She is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles. Kim Johnson, MSW President/CEO Florida Impact Kim has spent the last 33 years working on the front lines of underserved communities in Central Florida helping to improve the lives of children, youth and families. Her experience includes years of management, program development, training, teaching, grant writing and community engagement in social service, schools, university and nonprofit settings. She is currently board chair of UCF United Methodist Church Wesley Ministry and board member of National Education & Empowerment Coalition. She is a graduate of Adelphi University. Katina Kefalas, MS Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Katina has worked at FNS for over seven years, where she has supported farm-to-school activities, as well as policy and compliance in the CACFP and the SFSP in the Northeast region and now, at the FNS National Office. Before joining the USDA, she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, conducting compliance reviews for the NSLP, CACFP, and SFSP. Katina has an MS in Food Policy and Applied Nutrition from Tufts University. Maggie Mae Kennedy Assistant Director of Child Nutrition Spring Branch ISD Maggie Mae has worked in child nutrition for over 10 years and has held roles at Houston ISD and Galena Park ISD. She has contributed in the development and execution of the manager training program, L.E.A.D. and Leading Impact. Kennedy designed and implemented the current processes to streamline onboarding and training for incoming Operations Managers in the Nutrition Services Department, which has reduced early turnover complications and labor required to onboard. She is a graduate of Copper Mountain College. Brandee Kitzmiller, MS Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Brandee holds an MS in Sustainable Food systems from Arizona State University and a Policy and Leadership Graduate Certificate. While also holding a BS in Community Health and Nutrition from George Mason University, she brings a comprehensive background to her role. Sylvia E. Klinger, DBA, MS, RDN, CPT President and Founder Hispanic Food Communications Sylvia is a global nutrition communicator, awardwinning author, nutrition and culinary consultant, and the founder of Hispanic Food Communications. Sylvia is relentlessly passionate about helping people fall in love with creating and enjoying delicious and nutritious foods. She holds a BS in Nutrition and Dietetics from Loma Linda University, an MS in Public Service Administration from DePaul University, and a DBA from California Intercontinental University.
76 National CACFP Sponsors Association NCA Board of Directors Rhonda Kobylecky, CMP, CCNP Director of Food Services Acelero Learning In addition to her role with a multi-state Head Start organization that serves over 5,000 children, Rhonda consults for Acelero’s sister program, Shine Implement. Rhonda enjoys training and sharing her CACFP, ServSafe and Head Start knowledge with others. She currently serves as the chair for the NCA Board of Directors. Rhonda received her degree from the College of Southern Nevada. Angela Kretschmar Executive Director Heaven’s Windows Angela’s background in hunger relief consists of operating a food distribution facility that supports two pantries and a produce re-distribution hub for a major food bank in San Diego. She has led Heaven’s Windows as a sponsor of the CACFP and SFSP since 2015. Shonika Kwarteng, MBA, RD, LD Training and Technical Assistance Associate National Center for Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety Shonika provides training, technical assistance, and content development on topics including maternal and child nutrition, breastfeeding, physical activity, and USDA Child Nutrition programs. She has a strong background in Head Start program administration and leadership, infant and toddler feeding, working with children with special dietary needs, and early childhood education and family support. Shonika is a graduate of Troy University. Jill Ladd, MPH, RDN, LD Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Prior to joining USDA, Jill served for over a decade in Child Nutrition Program administration at the Kansas State Department of Education. She first discovered her passion for child nutrition while volunteering at a summer food service site in high school. Jill obtained her Master of Public Health from Creighton University. Linsey LaPlant, MS, RDN Regional Sales Manager Health-e Pro With an MS in nutrition from Central Washington University and a BA from Concordia College, Linsey, a Registered Dietitian for 19 years, brings vast experience in Child Nutrition Programs. For 11 years, she excelled at Washington State Child Nutrition Services, aiding compliance and HHFKA 2010 adoption. As a Nutrition Services Dietitian Manager in a public school district, she introduced Health-e Pro software, now her employer. Tiffany Larocque Nutrition Education Specialist YWCA Metropolitan Chicago Tiffany manages the CACFP for child care centers. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in nonprofit studies from Northern Illinois University, she is interested in family and community services. Experienced in CACFP, Tiffany is dedicated to expanding the program within the Metropolitan Chicago area to reach those in need. Tiffany’s efforts aim to ensure that every child has access to nutritious meals and the support they need to thrive. Trevor Lee Program Analyst Nemours Children’s Health With a background in Public Health, Trevor has five years of experience supporting various national projects under Nemours’ Early Care and Education portfolio. Trevor graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a bachelor’s in kinesiology. Jennifer Lemons Director Abundant Hearts Daycare Jennifer owns and oversees three centers. She is high energy and loves being a pillar for her parents and staff. She believes that positive motivation and creative solutions are necessary in the child care profession. Markita Lewis, MS, RD Marketing and Communications Manager National Peanut Board Markita has over seven years of experience in clinical nutrition, nutrition education, health and wellness copywriting, and public speaking. She currently develops and implements programs and initiatives regarding early introduction, K-12 nutrition, foodservice, and health and wellness. Markita completed her MS and dietetic internship at the University of Georgia and obtained her BS from Louisiana State University.
cacfp.org/conference 77 Mary Ann Liby SFSP/CACFP Coordinator Idaho Department of Education, Child Nutrition Programs With over a decade of experience in the social service sector, Mary Ann’s background includes a BA in Social Work, management of nutrition programs in the nonprofit sector, and she was previously a SFSP sponsor for nine years, overseeing 26 summer meal site locations. Her passion lies in helping to ensure children have equitable access to healthy and nutritious foods. Vicki Lipscomb, CMP President Child Nutrition Program Vicki has led the Child Nutrition Program to steady annual growth, and due to her background in public administration, she has a deep understanding of how to run an effective federal program. Vicki served on the NCA Board of Directors, serving as its president from October 2015 to September 2017. She also advocates for child care providers and sponsoring organizations as a member of the Paperwork Reduction Work Group. Cindy Long, MPA Administrator USDA Food and Nutrition Service Cindy most recently served as Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Acting Administrator, and has had extensive experience with FNS, including serving as Deputy Administrator for Child Nutrition Programs. In this role, she led FNS’ implementation of the Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act, the most significant restructuring of these programs in decades and a legislative centerpiece of the Obama-Biden Administration’s nutrition initiatives. Cindy holds an MPA from Princeton University. Rebecca MacIsaac, MS, RDN Nutritionist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Rebecca provides a variety of technical assistance and training for Child Nutrition Programs operators, State Agency personnel, and food manufacturers. Rebecca served as a team member in updating the Crediting Handbook for the CACFP. She holds an MS in Dietetics, Coordinated Program from Eastern Michigan University.
78 National CACFP Sponsors Association NAFCC is the only national professional association dedicated solely to promoting high-quality early care and education in home-based settings. Accreditation Membership Policy & Advocacy Professional Development Academy Discounts, Resources & More NAFCC Annual Conference St. Louis July 24 - 27, 2024
cacfp.org/conference 79 Featured Speaker NCA Board of Directors Lisa Mack President & CEO National CACFP Sponsors Association Lisa works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the long-term operating plan to ensure the growth and success of the National CACFP Sponsors Association. Central to that plan is managing member relationships, resource and product development, training and conference programming, and partnership development. She has a BBA from Pace University. Ellen MacMichael, LDN, CLC Public Health Nutritionist Florida Department of Health Ellen has been passionate about feeding the children of Florida for many years. Presently, she advises contractors participating in the CACFP with nutritionrelated and procurement requirements. Previously, she worked with Florida charter and private schools to implement and run the National School Lunch Program. She also worked with the Women, Infants and Children program, certifying participants for healthy food benefits and teaching them optimum nutrition practices as well as breastfeeding basics and latching issues. Stephanie Manchester, CCNP, CMP Food Service Coordinator Acelero Learning Working with Acelero allows Stephanie to work with both of her passions - children and food. She’s been in Food Services for over 10 years and Child Care for more than eight years. Stephanie strives to serve fresh, nutritional meals to children, and helps create gardens at their sites to expose and educate their children and families. Stephanie received her certification in Culinary Arts and a BA in Psychology. Featured Speaker Kevin Maskornick, MPP Director, Community Meals Policy Division USDA Food and Nutrition Service Kevin has over 12 years of experience working in Child Nutrition Programs at the federal level, serving in multiple capacities and areas of responsibility. Prior to joining the USDA, he was a staff member in the United States Senate, where he focused on agriculture, education, and labor issues. He holds an MPP from George Washington University. NCA Board of Directors Sarah McAleavy, CMP, CCNP CACFP Supervisor Frederick Community Action Agency Sarah brings almost 20 years of CACFP experience as a sponsor of family day care homes, At-Risk Afterschool and the Summer Food Service Program, and serves over 1,200 children in the area. Starting with the CACFP in 2004 and working with homeless and low socio-economic populations, Sarah became passionate about the food program. She began with afterschool snacks and summer meals, growing into a sponsorship across two counties in Maryland. Laura A. McClure, MSPH Assistant Professor, Nutrition Science Department Russell Sage College Laura teaches graduate level research and epidemiology courses. She has a Master of Science in Public Health from Emory University and 15 years’ experience in epidemiologic and chronic disease research. Her research interests include childhood nutrition, food insecurity, and cancer. She is involved in community-based research aiming to improve the reach of the Summer Food Service Program. Stacey McDaniel, MS National Director of Strategy and Quality Practices, AntiHunger YMCA-USA Under Stacey’s leadership, the Y launched a peer mentor network to promote innovation and strategic planning, developed sustainability and fundraising resources to preserve programs for years to come, collaborated with community partners to mold a flexible framework for programs that uniquely builds upon each communities’ strengths and resources, and scaled USDA child nutrition programs to reach nearly a million kids. She holds an MS in Project Management from Troy University. Featured Speaker Alice McKenney, MS Chief, CACFP Policy Branch USDA Food and Nutrition Service Alice oversees a team that develops regulations and guidance related to the CACFP. She has worked for FNS since 2013, including extensive experience in the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Alice has been working in Child Nutrition since 2021, with experience in both CACFP and SFSP (including leading the team tasked with creating the brand new rural non-congregate meal service option). Alice has an MS in Public Policy from Carnegie Mellon University.
80 National CACFP Sponsors Association Wanda McNeil, MBA, EdD Lead Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Wanda started her federal career with the Department of Interior working in the Office of Inspector General, after which she enjoyed a twenty-year career in higher education. She reentered the federal workforce with USDA FNS, and for the last eight years worked on the procurement team and SFSP. She is a graduate of Nova Southeastern University and Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. Dr. McNeil is also a veteran of the US Marine Corps. Lisa Means, CMP, CCNP Staff Accountant The Villages of Indiana Lisa was a facilitator volunteer for the Celiac Gluten-free Group at the Bloomington, Indiana Hospital Education Center for ten years. As a former Department Commissary Bakery Manager for a national health-food chain in Denver, she developed special diet baked goods and taught a food service sanitation program. Lisa a BA from the University of Colorado. Tracie Mercado, CCHA, CCHC Childcare Specialist, Director Novick Childcare Solutions Tracie has worked in early childhood and nutrition programs for over 25 years, the bulk of her time spent in a multi-program Head Start. Tracie started as a health & nutrition coordinator, later becoming regional director responsible for seven centers across two states. Tracie holds a multitude of professional certifications and credentials and has collected over 2,000 PD hours. She attended Kutztown University, Reading Area Community College and North Carolina University. Stephen Miliano, MS Regional Civil Rights Officer USDA Food and Nutrition Service Steve is the Civil Rights presence in the region, providing guidance and technical assistance to recipients of Federal Assistance who administer FNS programs at the State and local agency levels. He also develops and conducts Civil Rights training, special and routine compliance reviews independently, or in conjunction with NERO’s program Management Evaluation teams. He holds an MS in International Relations from Troy University. John Miller CEO LogATot Inc. John has been involved in the child care industry for over 11 years. He started, and built, SmartEarly Learning Centers to one of the premier child care centers in NY State. He has built multiple successful software companies creating solutions for organizations to minimize manual effort and maximize people and financial results. John is a graduate of Southern Vermont College. Mariam Mohammed Community Outreach Coordinator Kids At Their Best Mariam is a refugee who came to the US in 2017. Since finishing high school, she has made it her mission to help people understand the cultural nuances that come with being a refugee, immigrant or just a kid from another state. She has developed an East African pantry in her community to serve the needs of immigrant and refugee families and is currently serving as an AmeriCorps member. Mariam attends Morgan Community College. Constance Moore, MBA, MA, CCNP Senior Food Compliance Officer YMCA of Memphis & the Mid-South Constance leads CACFP and SFSP operations in both Tennessee and Mississippi. In addition to serving inner-city Memphis, the YMCA reaches thousands more daily throughout West TN and North MS through CACFP At-Risk and child care centers, SFSP, and Y on the Fly programs. She is a graduate of Webster University. Erica Moore, MA, CHN CEO & Founder Who Spilled The Veggies Co. Erica is a vegan chef, health and wellness consultant, speaker, educator, and is certified in Holistic Nutrition. She has a background in interior design and sustainability, with a bachelor’s degree from Murray State University and a master’s degree in organizational and global management. Madeline Moritsch, MS, RDN National Advisor, Whole Child Health Alliance for a Healthier Generation Madeline has over ten years of experience working with child nutrition and food access programs in the school and out-of-school time settings. She has expertise in nutrition education, Local Wellness Policy implementation, and food access efforts such as food banking, SNAP, and Child Nutrition Programs. Madeline holds an MS in Nutritional Science from San Jose State University.
Asheena Moses Advocacy & Outreach Manager Florida Impact Asheena has ten years of experience in the field of food service, a BA in Culinary Arts and Food and Beverage Management from Le Cordon Bleu, and an MPH with an emphasis on Nutrition from Liberty University. In her previous role at OCPS, she realized her purpose: to work in a capacity that allows her the opportunity to assist in improving the health of individuals in underserved communities. Jocelyn Moss, MA, CMP, CCNP Senior Program Director YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Jocelyn has been working in the CACFP for the last seven years. She brings a fresh perspective having experience as a provider and now working on the administrative side of the CACFP. Jocelyn is passionate about child nutrition education and ensuring children have access to healthy and nutritious meals. She hold an MA in Higher Education from Geneva College. Brandi Murray, MS, MPhil Senior Program Manager FLIPANY Starting her journey to fight child food insecurity in 2018, Brandi has since found her passion in helping others within the community, similar to those where she was raised, gain both knowledge and access to a healthier lifestyle. A graduate of both the University of Central Florida and Walden University, Brandi is dedicated to seeing social change take place on all levels, not just on those that can afford access to it. Diana Myers, MS, RD, LD Nutrition & Physical Activity Supervisor Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning Diana and her team train, retain, and inform Child Nutrition Program operators on strategizing creative and innovative ways to implement Nutrition Education, Physical Activity, and Farm to Early Care & Education within early care, afterschool, summer feeding, and adult day care settings. Farm to Early Care & Education efforts are the heart of her work as she leads the next USDA Farm to School Grant initiatives. She holds an MS from Georgia State University.
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cacfp.org/conference 83 Cherese Myree, CFE Vice President MH Miles Company, CPA, PC Cherese is a certified fraud examiner who specializes in the USDA Food Programs and governmental compliance. She has over 15 years of experience in the fields of auditing, accounting, and consulting with specialized experience in governmental contract auditing and contract compliance. She testifies as an expert witness for the CACFP and SFSP and manages MHMC’s review, consultant and training engagements across the United States. Cherese is a graduate of Clark University. Kenna Nelson Food Outreach Coordinator Kids At Their Best Kenna grew up in a small Colorado community that speaks 26 unique languages. She has worked in food distribution and community engagement since she was 11. She has managed summer meal sites for youth from Latin America, Mexico, East and West Africa and has learned to blend longstanding cultural traditions with modern American summers. She is currently attending Morgan Community College and pursuing a degree in early childhood education. Erica Nelson Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Erica spent a decade at the DC state agency providing compliance and oversight of federal child care programs, including the CACFP. She is passionate about program integrity and community partnerships and is committed to expanding program impact. Joanne Norman, CMP, CCNP Claims Manager Providers Choice Joanne has worked with the CACFP for over 35 years. Her CACFP experience includes serving as a program monitor, nutrition educator, and the claims processing for family child care homes and child care centers. In her current role, Joanne is responsible for the oversight of processing and submission of CACFP claims to the Minnesota Department of Education. She holds BS from the University of Wisconsin – Stout. Amara O’Connell, MPP Director of Food Services City of Philadelphia, Office of Homeless Services Amara has worked in the Food Services Unit since 2019, participating in many different food access related initiatives. She manages many state and federal food programs for the city in order to bring more funding and food product to Philadelphia to meet the needs of those struggling with food insecurity. Amara holds an MPP from Temple University. Sharla Olson, LN Nutritionist SENDCAA Sharla is responsible for onsite monitoring family child care homes in eastern North Dakota, ensuring nutritious meals are provided in accordance with state and federal regulations. Sharla also trains providers with the latest nutrition information provided by the USDA. Sharla received a degree in dietetics from North Dakota State University and previously worked for the USDA WIC Program. Lissa Ong, MPH, RDN Farm to School Specialist USDA Food and Nutrition Service Lissa began her career with FNS over 22 years ago as a Regional Nutritionist with the Western Regional Office, supporting nutrition and food systems work in WIC, Schools, Child and Adult Care Food Programs, and SNAP-Ed. While with the Western Region, she supported their F2S team by conducting grantee oversight and technical assistance, the facilitation of regional farm to school meetings, and promoting Farm to CACFP at national conferences and webinars. She hold an MPH from University of California, Los Angeles. Emia Oppenheim, PhD, RDN Public Health Nutrition Consultant Association of State Public Health Nutritionists Emia began working in early childhood with research in neural tube defects. Her interest in nutrition and early childhood, led her to the field of public health. Her work focuses on supporting programs and public health nutritionists around the country working to improve early childhood policy, systems, and environments. She received her doctorate degree from Cornell University.
84 National CACFP Sponsors Association Kaylyn Padovani, MBA, RDN Lead Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Kaylyn is part of the team developing nutrition education and promotion resources for children and families participating in Child Nutrition Programs in English and Spanish languages. She presents and helps coordinate different webinars and national conference sessions. Kaylyn is a bilingual Registered Dietitian and a native Spanish speaker, originally from Puerto Rico. Kayte Parch, MS, RD Assistant Administrator, Coordinated Student Support Services; Director, Child Nutrition Programs Nebraska Department of Education Kayte has worked in all of the USDA Child Nutrition Programs in her 10 years of service to the NDE. She earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Nutrition and Health Sciences from the University of NebraskaLincoln, where she also completed her dietetic internship. Pam Parseghian Project Coordinator Health Promotion Council Pam graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and New York University. She cooked in professional kitchens in the US and Europe before working as the food editor at Cook’s Magazine and executive food editor of Nation’s Restaurant News. Her varied career included application reading at Princeton University and teaching at Sur La Table and NJ State Juvenile Detention Centers. She currently works with the CACFP in seven shelters and offers culinary technical assistance at another dozen facilities. NCA Board of Directors Alix Pasillas, CMP, CCNP Executive Director Food for Kids Alix joined Food For Kids over 25 years ago as a field monitor and has served as executive director for the last ten years. She has provided guidance that has resulted in the growth of the program throughout Nevada. Alix continues to reinforce the sponsorship’s success with passion and determination for bringing healthy, nutritious meals to children and adults in programs that are a part of CACFP. Nicole Patterson, MSACN, NDTR Research Services Senior Professional University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing Nicole coordinates and provides support on various research projects within the College of Nursing. Since 2017, she has provided support and subject matter expertise in nutrition and the Child and Adult Care Food program for the Achieving a State of Healthy Weight (ASHW) study. She is a graduate of the Northeast College of Health Sciences. Salome Pemberton, MPH, RDN, CCNP Senior Clinical Advisor & CACFP Content Expert NY Enrichment Group Salome brings a wealth of experience to her work with early childhood programs in New York City. She is passionate about encouraging healthy eating at a young age as she believes that the early childhood phase sets the stage for developing long-term healthy eating behaviors. She has a record of successfully implementing nutrition education and obesity prevention programs for numerous organizations. She earned her MPH from CUNY School of Public Health. Leah Penna, CMP, CCNP President and Founder FP Assistance Leah started FP Assistance 28 years ago, boasting over 750 childcare and at-risk afterschool sites in the CACFP. Leah is dedicated to the CACFP and to FP Assistance’s customers and employees. Her superpower is being steadfast and positive; sometimes she goes by the name ‘Sunshine.’ Kenya Pennington, MA Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Kenya has over 10 years of experience at the USDA FNS. In this time, she has acquired substantial knowledge about child nutrition policy, in addition to developing regulations that outline the administrative requirements of USDA’s CACFP and SFSP. Kenya earned both her Bachelor of Science and her Master of Arts in Teaching from James Madison University. Janneth Perales, MPA Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Janneth works with the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), providing technical assistance and guidance to program operators. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin.
cacfp.org/conference 85 Whitney Peters, MS, MPH Senior Technical Adviser USDA Food and Nutrition Service Whitney is working to implement the new, permanent Summer EBT Program. She has been with the Federal government since 2015 and has worked on many Federal assistance programs, including USDA’s Child Nutrition Programs and HHS’ Child Care and Development Block Grant. She is a graduate of Columbia University. Erik Peterson, MPAff Senior Vice President of Policy Afterschool Alliance Erik coordinates and advances the Afterschool Alliance’s policy efforts at the federal level by helping develop policy goals and implementing strategies that advance access to quality afterschool and summer learning programs. He works to build and strengthen relationships with policy makers and allied organizations to increase public support and funding for out of school time programs. Eric received his Master of Public Affairs from the LBJ School at the University of Texas. Alison M. Pilsner, MPH, BSN, RN, CPH, IBCLC Instructor of Research University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, College of Nursing Alison leads the Achieving a State of Healthy Weight (ASHW) study. Over the last 15 years, she has worked in maternal and child health research and practices focusing on health disparities and healthy equity. As a bilingual public health nurse and IBCLC, she has also been instrumental in developing health education and policy initiatives to support national public health efforts. She received her MPH from the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. Sloane Pittman Executive Director Child Nutrition Program Sloane has been involved with the CACFP for as long as she can remember, at the side of her mother who directs the Child Nutrition Program in Charlotte, North Carolina. After finishing her degree in psychology from Appalachian State University, with a concentration in childhood and adolescence, she went to work for Child Nutrition Program full time. Over the years, Sloane has been involved in all aspects of program compliance.
86 National CACFP Sponsors Association JA Foodservice offers breakfast, snack, & lunch options to meet NSLP requirements. Our meals are easily stored. They need no refrigeration, and last up to six months. EXPLORE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOUR PROGRAMS JA Foodservice acts as a wholesale distributor for all of the products in our inventory. We buy our products by the pallet or truckload. You can buy from us by the case. We will load up a pallet and ship it to your location. We provide shelf stable prepackaged CACFP & SFSP reimbursable meals. Our meals are Whether breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks; JA Foodservice has meals designed to keep kids happy and healthy. They’re designed for your USDA funded feeding programs such as after school, at risk and summer feeding. Kids need to eat even when they can’t make it to your feeding program. JA Foodservice’s Back Pack Program combines two days worth of meals for kids to take home during the weekend. Build A Paet Program No minimum Orders! PackagedMealKit.com Nationwide Shipping! • Cost effective • Kid-Friendly • Fully Customizable • Shelf life up to 6 months • Zero refrigeration • No minimum orders • Meets USDA requirements LockerMates, BreakfastMates, & SnackMates Available Kids Meals NSLP Meals SFSP & CACFP Meals Backpack Program Seniors are a growing section of the population. JA Foodservice has been creating customized shelf stable senior meals for over a decade. We have meal plans that meet 1/3 RDA & DRI requirements specific to your state. Senior Meals
cacfp.org/conference 87 Deanna Poynor, RDN Child Nutrition Specialist Oregon Department of Education Deanna graduated from and completed her dietetic internship at Oregon State University. She joined the Oregon Department of Education Child Nutrition Programs team in 2017 as a Child Nutrition Specialist and has been the Team Lead since 2020. Featured Speaker Francine Queeley, MBA, JM Director of Program Integrity Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Francine supervises and coordinates the financial compliance activities of the Program Integrity Section of the Division of Food, Nutrition and Wellness (FNW). Francine earned her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in health services management from Keiser University - Fort Lauderdale. She also holds a Juris Master’s degree with a concentration in financial regulation and compliance from Florida State University College of Law. Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LDN Nutrition Education Specialist National CACFP Sponsors Association Isabel develops nutrition education materials and provides informational webinars on nutrition to support stronger program operations. She has a strong background and passion in working with low-income communities of various cultures, while working on graduate research projects and working in the nonprofit, food banking environment for eight years. Isabel has an MS in Nutritional Sciences from Rutgers University. NCA Board of Directors Gabriela Rangel, MS, CMP, CCNP CACFP Director Child & Family Resources Gabriela has worked for Child & Family Resources since 2010, serving in her current role since 2015. She has an MS from Walden University, a BS from the University of Arizona, a Social Innovation Nonprofit Leadership Certificate from Eller Executive Education, and is a Certified CACFP Child Nutrition Professional and CACFP Management Professional. Jami Rokala, MS, RDN, LD, CLC, CMP, CCNP Founder/Owner Headwaters Nutrition Counseling Jami has worked as a child nutrition professional for the state of North Dakota as a Child Nutrition Specialist and as Child Nutrition Manager for Head Starts/Early Head Starts and Migrant and Seasonal Head Starts throughout the state of MN and ND. Currently, she contracts with Head Start agencies as the RDN and has a focus on 0-18-year-olds struggling with anxious, avoidant or selective eating and nutrition concerns. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota. Christine Roseberry Belinda Early Learning Program Development Specialist Penn State Better Kid Care Christine has over 30 years of experience in early care and education. She currently develops online courses for professionals in early childhood education (ECE) and Out-of-School Time (OST). She has presented at regional, state, and national professional development events on early childhood topics such as inclusion and belonging, diversity and equity, coaching, and educator health and well-being. She is a graduate of Clarion University. Laura Roth, MPH Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Laura supports FNS’ Child Nutrition Programs with policy and program development expertise in the Summer Meals Programs. Laura has a background in public health and holds a Master of Public Health from the George Washington University and a BS from Clemson University. She is also a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and served as a Maternal and Child Health Specialist with Peace Corps Rwanda from 2016-2018. Melissa Rothstein Associate Administrator, Child Nutrition Programs USDA Food and Nutrition Service Melissa has extensive experience in all aspects of the Child Nutrition Programs at the federal level, including policy, oversight and monitoring, analysis, and program research. She was instrumental in leading the development and implementation of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. Across her more-than-30-year career at FNS, she has also held positions in Financial Management, Food Distribution, Management and Civil Rights, and worked briefly in the private sector performing research on the Child Nutrition Programs.
88 National CACFP Sponsors Association Cynthia Ruffin, MBA Consultant Trainer The Institute of Child Nutrition Cynthia began her school nutrition career in Louisiana more than 35 years ago. She has worked at the local school level, with the Louisiana Department of Education, and as the Director of Child Nutrition in St. Charles Parish Public Schools near New Orleans. She was the recipient of the SNA of Louisiana Child Nutrition Director of the Year award in 2013. Cynthia received a BS in Dietetics from Louisiana State University and an MBA from Southeastern Louisiana University. NCA Board of Directors Annetta Rutland, CMP, CCNP Strategic Director, Quality Program 4C for Children Annetta has been with her agency for more than 30 years. She works to develop, implement, and maintain policies, procedures and standards for professional development programs in identified content area. Additionally, she supports the agency’s Team Leaders of Quality Programs to help them make consistent and progressive steps toward organizational and programmatic consistency and sustainability. Tamara Sandberg, MS Vice President, US Program Development Feed the Children Tamara is a nationally recognized leader in the child hunger sector and a recipient of the National Association of Secretaries of State medallion in honor of her work to end hunger. Her previous roles include Senior Advisor for US Food Security and Nutrition at Save the Children and Executive Director of Feeding Kentucky. She earned her MS from the University of Wyoming. Navneet Sandhu, MA Branch Chief, Program Integrity and Innovation Division USDA Food and Nutrition Service Nav leads her team in developing new and innovative solutions that broadly address program integrity and access challenges in all Child Nutrition Programs. Nav has worked in the division for the last five years and prior to that, worked in program monitoring. Before she joined the National Office team, Nav was in the FNS Western Regional Office in San Francisco, primarily working with State agencies on school meals programs. She is a graduate of Duke University and Miami University. Jay Saunders Nutrition Product Development Voyatek Jay is an experienced product and program manager with more than 20 years of experience as a technical architect and project manager. He has worked with a variety of social service and public health agencies, most notably 10 years’ experience with the WIC program. Jay led the development of Voyatek’s cloud hosted Software as a Service (SaaS) CACFP system and the TeleWIC telehealth communication system. He is a graduate of the University of Kansas. Featured Speaker Kavita Sawh, MS Training Specialist III University of Central Florida Kavita’s journey in education began after she experienced culture shock upon relocating to the United States. This experience served as a catalyst for her unwavering dedication to the field of education. Over the last 15 years, Kavita has facilitated numerous thought-provoking discussions, sharing her fervor for the learning process. She holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Education and Leadership Training from Louisiana State University. ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
cacfp.org/conference 89 Krista Schoen, MS, RD, LDN Nutrition Manager Florida Department of Health Krista has worked as a nutritionist and nutrition manager for the Florida Child Care Food Program for over 15 years and enjoys working with providers and staff on creative menus, breastfeeding promotion, and nutrition best practices. Krista received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida State University. Mary Schroeder, MPH, RDN, LD Extension Educator University of Minnesota Extension Mary’s work focuses on creating healthy food environments for children in early care and school settings. In addition to training child care and school nutrition staff, Mary is involved in the Minnesota Farm to Early Care. She holds an MPH from the University of Wisconsin, LaCrosse. Meagan Shedd, PhD Assistant Professor Michigan State University Center for Regional Food Systems Meagan works with early childhood educators and K-12 education settings to increase access to locally grown, affordable foods. She links farms with educational institutions, facilitates the development and sharing of resources, and aims to provide training and technical assistance across multiple settings while advocating for young children. She brings 25 years of experience in working with families with young children across public health, state government, early childhood education settings, and Universities. Meagan is a graduate of Michigan State University. Laura Sheffield, MS, RDN, LD Associate Director of Child Development Community Action Council-Lexington, KY Laura has worked for Community Action Council based out of Lexington, KY for eight years. Laura has run the CACFP for 19 Child Development Sites as a Sponsor for the last 4 years. She is passionate about teaching others about nutrition and overall wellness. Laura graduated with an MS in Hospitality and Dietetic Administration from the University of Kentucky. Nourish a growth mindset! This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences research and extension programs are funded in part by Pennsylvania counties, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement by Penn State Extension is implied. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. This resource is for educational purposes. You may not use this material for commercial purpose or economic gain. © 2024 The Pennsylvania State University extension.psu.edu/programs/betterkidcare • Preview courses for free; $5 per 2-hour course for a certificate • CDA and CEU eligible • Spanish courses available Available 24/7! Visit our booth or scan the QR code to learn more! Mobile friendly! Over 350 evidence-informed, On Demand courses for early childhood professionals
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cacfp.org/conference 91 Ashley Smith Product Manager Voyatek In her current role, Ashley is helping to develop a management information system for the CACFP. She has over eight years of experience administering the CACFP and SFSP at the state level for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). As the program supervisor of the CACFP, Ashley managed all aspects of the program. She has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Johnson and Wales University. Patricia Smith CACFP Program Analyst City of Philadephia, Office of Homeless Services Patricia works with family shelters in Philadelphia operating CACFP to help them successfully administer the program, providing technical assistance, resource materials, monitoring visits, and regular and all-important moral support! She has worked with youth and children experiencing homelessness for over 15 years in various capacities and is a graduate of Arcadia University. Falon Smith, MS, PhD Director of Research Dissemination UNC-CH, Center For Health Promotion & Disease Prevention Falon is responsible for Go NAPSACC’s continued evolution and support to state agencies and child care programs across the nation. She is passionate about the dissemination of evidence-based health practices and forming sustainable, equitable partnerships with educators and professionals in the early care setting. Falon earned her Doctorate in Exercise Science from the University of South Carolina. Jessica Soldavini, PhD, MPH, RD, LDN Research Specialist and Assistant Professor Carolina Hunger Initiative and No Kid Hungry NC at UNC Chapel Hill Jessica’s work focuses on food security, federal nutrition programs, and nutrition and culinary education. She has nearly 15 years of experience in the field of public health nutrition and has worked on a variety of projects related to summer meals. She is a Registered Dietitian and received her PhD in Nutrition from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Marissa Spady, MS, RD Senior Program Manager Share Our Strength Over the last seven years, Marissa has supported school nutrition departments and community-based organizations to build relationships and advocacy around the federal child nutrition programs, ensuring as many children as possible have access to these meals. Marissa obtained her undergraduate degree in dietetics from James Madison University and her master’s in clinical nutrition from East Tennessee State University. Marissa worked briefly as a clinical dietitian before finding her passion in education and advocacy. Virginia Stage, PhD, RDN Assistant Professor, Nutrition Education & Behavior Specialist North Carolina State University Virginia’s research is housed under the Foodbased Early Education (FEEd) Lab with the mission to empower early childhood teachers and families with evidence-based strategies to improve children’s (3-5 year) dietary quality through education, exposure, and access to healthy foods. She holds a PhD in Nutrition Science from North Carolina State University. NCA Board of Directors Blake Stanford, CMP President Southwest Human Development Services Blake is the founder and Chairman of the Board of a private, nonprofit agency and sponsor of the CACFP since 1985. Blake has served as President of the Texas CACFP Sponsors’ Association, was a founder of the Southwest Region CACFP Sponsors’ Association, and has served as the President and Treasurer of the NCA Board of Directors. Blake holds a BS in Social Science and a BA in Spanish from Southwestern University. Nicole Stearns, MGPS Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Before joining USDA, Nicole earned her Master of Global Policy Studies at the University of Texas - Austin, where she focused her research on child protection and human rights policy. Nicole’s work with children and migrant families sparked her passion for food security. Naomi Steenson, MS, RD CACFP Director Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment With a background in nutrition, operations, and leadership, Naomi’s career expands over several industries including healthcare, school nutrition, before and after school child care, utilizing multiple child nutrition programs. She holds an MS from Regis University.
92 National CACFP Sponsors Association Michael Strawser, PhD Assistant Professor of Communication University of Central Florida Michael delivers workshops, keynote addresses, and communication consulting services. Dr. Strawser earned his PhD in Instructional Communication from the University of Kentucky. Theresa Ten Eyck, CPA, MPA Director Your Part Time Controller Theresa is passionate about supporting hunger related organizations, both personally and professionally. She is a seasoned financial accounting professional with over 20 years of leadership and accounting experience. Holding an MPA from the University of South Dakota and a CPA, she provides a depth and breadth of experience in strategic planning, forecasting, and implementation of best practices and internal controls. Teri has proven skills in increasing efficiency while consistently demonstrating a high standard of professional excellence. Alexia Thex, MEd Director of Policy and Partnerships National CACFP Sponsors Association Alexia is charged with expanding NCA’s advocacy on policy matters and advancing the mission and interests of association members and stakeholders while forming mutually long-term, beneficial partnerships with corporations and organizations fitting the mission of NCA. Through her career in development, Alexia has also raised funds for Downtown Houston YMCA, the Holocaust Museum Houston and schools her children attend. She has an MEd in Exercise Physiology from the University of Texas. Josephine Thomason, MS, RDN, LPN, FNLP National Advisor, Whole Child Health Alliance for a Healthier Generation Josephine spent more than 20 years in food and nutrition management, providing training and technical assistance to schools, participating in child nutrition programs. She has contributed to various USDA Food and Nutrition Services studies with a focus on at-risk populations. Josephine is passionate about supporting child nutrition programs, to ensure every child that attends school or an afterschool program, has access to nutritious meals they need to grow and thrive. She received her MS from Florida State University. Georgia S. Thompson, MHS Senior Program and Policy Analyst Nemours Children’s Health Georgia has worked in Early Care and Education (ECE) for nearly 20 years, with experience in PK-12 education, professional development, quality improvement, project management, and higher education. Georgia holds a BS in Family and Child Sciences from Florida State University and a master’s in human services from Nova Southeastern University. Sheila Tompkins-Hess Program Officer Nevada Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services Sheila has been a supporter of Head Start for much of her life. She attended Head Start as a child and then worked as a teacher, a director and a supervisor for Head Start and Early Head Start programs. Sheila loves working with children and helping staff to increase their skills with the children they support. Sheila has been a trainer at NAEYC, state conferences and ECE trainings in Las Vegas. She attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Brittany Uribe Virtual Event Specialist National CACFP Sponsors Association Brittany plans and coordinates all webinars and virtual events for NCA, including those during the National Child Nutrition Conference. Brittany graduated from Florida State University with a BS in Family and Child Science. She began working for a CACFP sponsor in South Florida in 2013 and grew passionate about expanding CACFP training opportunities and educational resources. Featured Speaker Jaren Vass Program Eligibility Director Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Jaren graduated from Florida State University in 2008 with a degree in Dietetics. She and her team oversee the application and renewal process for schools and organizations applying to participate in the Child Nutrition Programs – National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Snack Program, Seamless Summer Option, Summer Food Service Program, and Special Milk Program.
cacfp.org/conference 93 Marielisa Vera, MS Family Child Care Network Director Committee for Hispanic Children and Families Marielisa has over twenty years of experience in different levels of education and age groups with an outstanding personality to manage programs and staff in a strategically thriving organization. She is passionate about serving communities and knowledgeable about strategies to engage families and children in educational processes. She is a graduate of CLEA University. Kati Wagner President Wildwood CACFP Kati oversees the sponsorship of family child care home providers, unaffiliated centers, Head Start, afterschool and summer food programs. Kati’s business background allows her to see unique opportunities for providers. Her expertise in handling the budget, dealing with legislation, and management has allowed her to be successful in the CACFP. Kati has previously served on the NCA Board of Directors. Jodi Walker Founder, CEO Kids At Their Best Jodi has frequently used unorthodox approaches to bridge the cultural, economic, and generational challenges of her Eastern Plains community. Jodi’s understanding of the complex interplay of major political, financial and distribution systems, and the impact at the local level, has led to national recognition for the organization she founded. She is a graduate of Colorado State University - Pueblo. Sean Walsh Program Analyst USDA Food and Nutrition Service Sean provides guidance and technical assistance on the SFSP. Prior to FNS, he served as an Emerson National Hunger Fellow with the Congressional Hunger Center and as a government relations consultant at the UN World Food Program. His background is in nutrition, anthropology and food service with degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Culinary Institute of America.
94 National CACFP Sponsors Association CALL US: 956-272-5694 Our features incude: Policy-Based Claim Processing Customizable Claim Submissions Online Enrollments Cloud Storage Record Leftovers/Recycle Foods Scan QR code for more CACFP Compliance Made Simple Our CACFP software features will greatly reduce your time spent on compliance, reduce paperwork, and expedite claim processing. Our software is designed to get you up and running in no time. Get the software you need at a price you can afford. Our low-cost options are packed with all the features you need to get the job done. Our dedicated customer support team is always on hand to help you through any hurdles. My Simple Menu 1 CACFP Software Management Free Trial up to Month
cacfp.org/conference 95 Amy Warne, MBA, RD, LD Manager, Nutrition and Health Programs Partnership for a Healthier America Amy leads PHAs Veggies Early and Often initiative and Healthy Hunger Relief efforts. She has a diverse nutrition background in acute care, dialysis, non-profit, food sovereignty, and consulting. Amy is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, is Seminole, and Tiger Clan. She holds higher education degrees in health care management and nutritional sciences, and an MBA from the University of Central Oklahoma. Julia Whitebird Health, Nutrition, and Safety Manager Leech Lake Early Childhood Julia has held her current role for over 31 years. She is a Licensed Practical Nurse and holds an AA in Nutrition. Julia is also a State Certified Food Protection Manager, ServSafe Instructor and Examination Proctor, Child Passenger Safety Certified Technician, and an AHA BLS CPR Instructor. Marcia Wileczek, CMP, CCNP Director of Childcare Relations Novick Childcare Solutions Marcia has worked in childcare for over 20 years. She has been a classroom teacher, spent 17 years as a center director for a program with 140 children, and has served as the food program director for her district of 12 schools. Marcia has created seasonal menus, targeted healthier, cost effective menu items and recipes for her entire district. At Novick, Marcia helps providers navigate CACFP program requirements and compliance. She is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. Cassandra Williams Program Manager North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Cassandra has over 20 years of experience leading and directing diverse groups in the day-to-day operations of an organization while managing its sound fiscal operations, continually examining the facility’s services and delivery systems, developing staff, and maintaining all federal & state regulatory compliance with the goal of fulfilling the organizational mission’s objective. She is a graduate of North Carolina Central University. Daryl Williams Jr., MS Founder My Pursuit of Excellence, LLC Excellence. There are those that talk about it, there are those that live it, and there are those that do both. Daryl is one of those that does both. While matriculating through a career in education to Assistant Principal, this dynamic speaker has empowered both students and teachers to achieve excellence. He holds an MS in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University and an MS in School Administration from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte. Brooke Wolf Executive Director Quality Care Services Brooke has been an executive director for over 10 years for a CACFP Sponsorship. She has presented at a state conference and for her organization multiple times. She was recognized for the CACFP Inspire Trailblazer Award for the implementation of their local foods sub-grant. Brooke holds a BS in Individualized Studies with a concentration in Early Childhood. Shaimake Woods-Tilley Nutrition Specialist Coastal Plain Area EOA Head Start Shaimake helps to oversee the daily nutrition operations of Coastal Plain Area EOA Head Start Centers. She works closely with the Nutrition Manager to provide training to the nutrition staff. Kevin Yee, PhD Director, Faculty Center for Teaching & Learning University of Central Florida Kevin earned his PhD in German Literature from UC Irvine and has taught a wide assortment of German language and culture courses, as well as many courses in general humanities, film, and cultural studies, with a particular emphasis on popular culture. He is currently co-editing a book of case studies on the intersection of VR and ethics in the college classroom, and has also recently published a book on ChatGPT. Jasmine Zandi Out-of-School Programs Director Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance Jasmine oversees and coordinates the recruitment and retention strategies of afterschool and summer feeding programs throughout the state of Arkansas. In her role, she acts as a liaison between the national No Kid Hungry campaign, AR state agencies, and local community partners to further Arkansas children’s access to food outside of school hours. She holds a BA from Hendrix College.
96 National CACFP Sponsors Association
cacfp.org/conference 97 APRIL 22, 2024 ATTENDED HRS SESSION TITLE PRESENTER(S) NAME 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm q .5 Professional Networking Strategies & Tips APRIL 23, 2024 ATTENDED HRS SESSION TITLE PRESENTER(S) NAME 7:15 am - 7:45 am q .5 CACFP Creditable Tools & Resources 8:00 am - 9:00 am q 1 SFSP Overview 9:15 am - 10:15 am q 1 CACFP Overview 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm q 1.5 General Session 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm q 1 Featured Speaker Session: APRIL 24, 2024 ATTENDED HRS SESSION TITLE PRESENTER(S) NAME 7:15 am - 7:45 am q .5 Shop Talk: 8:00 am - 9:00 am q 1 Workshop Session One: 9:15 am - 10:15 am q 1 Workshop Session Two: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm q 1 Workshop Session Three: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm q 1 Workshop Session Four: 3:45 pm - 4:45 pm q 1 Workshop Session Five: 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm q .5 Shop Talk: APRIL 25, 2024 ATTENDED HRS SESSION TITLE PRESENTER(S) NAME 7:15 am – 7:45 am q .5 Shop Talk: 8:00 am – 9:00 am q 1 Workshop Session Six: 9:15 am – 10:15 am q 1 Workshop Session Seven: 10:30 am – 11:30 am q 1 Workshop Session Eight: 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm q 1 Workshop Session Nine: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm q 1 Workshop Session Ten: 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm q 1 Featured Speaker Session: 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm q .5 Shop Talk: 5:00 pm - 5:30 pm q .5 USDA Town Hall APRIL 26, 2024 ATTENDED HRS SESSION TITLE PRESENTER(S) NAME 9:15 am - 10:15 am q 1 CACFP Meal Pattern Exceptions 10:30 am - 11:30 am q 1 More About CACFP: Ask Us Anything! TOTAL HOURS PARTICIPANT SIGNATURE _______________________________________ DATE ___________________________ National Child Nutrition Conference 2024 cacfp.org CERTIFICATE OF PARTICIPATION
98 National CACFP Sponsors Association Workshops Session Three | 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm
cacfp.org/conference 99 39th National CHILD NUTRITION C NFERENCE Save the Dates April 14-18, 2025 | Dallas, TX CACFP · Afterschool Meals · Summer Food
Sign up to get eNews and updates delivered directly to your inbox. Plus, find more child nutrition community resources & tools. cacfp.org to TABLE CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. This institution is an equal opportunity employer. Learn more @ cacfp.org When kids help grow their own produce, they are more likely to eat it! If you can’t create a backyard garden, consider getting a regular produce box delivery from a local gardener or take your children on a weekly trip to the farmers’ market together. Farm to preschool is a great way to get your kids invested in gardening and healthy eating. MAKE IT Garden Printing Sometimes the best art can be created without a paint brush! Cut various vegetables from your garden such as carrots, peppers, squash, zucchini, eggplant, and potatoes in half so they can be used as a stamper. Make the children a paint pallet with different colors. Ask them to stamp the vegetables in the paint and then they can make their work of art on a large piece of construction paper. LEARN IT How does your garden grow? Every garden must start with a seed, but how does that seed become the plants we can cook and eat in our homes? This is a fantastic opportunity to teach the children in your care what a seed is, examples of seeds, and what those seeds need to become strong, healthy plants that we can harvest. GROW IT Container Gardening Not everyone has the space to plant an elaborate garden. That’s okay! You can still have a garden with a container garden. Tires, buckets, large planting pots, or even tubs can all be used as your container. Hanging baskets are great for fruits like strawberries, cherry tomatoes and herbs. Plastic containers will hold in moisture better than a clay or wood container. Fill the container with gardening soil and begin planting. Remember to check plants daily for watering needs and support your fast growing, tall plants with trellises and stakes. Plant ideas for container gardens: Beans Broccoli Carrots Cucumbers Eggplants Lettuce Onions Peppers Radishes Tomatoes EAT IT Garden Stir Fry 1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth 1/2 tablespoon of corn starch 1 teaspoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame or olive oil 2 tablespoons garlic minced 5 cups of your favorite garden vegetables 3 1/3 cups diced chicken Whole Grain Rice Mix together the broth, cornstarch and soy sauce and set aside. Add oil to a large pan and sauté the garlic on high heat for one minute. Add the vegetables and cook for eight minutes until tender. Add the soy sauce mixture and reduce heat to medium. Continue cooking until the sauce thickens. Serve over ¼ cup cooked whole grain rice for each child. Lunch Crediting: 10 Servings (1/2 cup) for ages 3-5 (Vegetable/Meat/Grain) READ IT Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Elhert This easy to understand book with bold pictures talks about necessary gardening tools, gardening chores and what happens after harvesting. A recipe for vegetable soup is included! Maybe you can use produce from your own garden to make a batch of soup to share with the children. PLAY IT Garden Turnover Divide the children into equal groups, each with a unique vegetable name. Have them sit in chairs forming a large circle, with one child starting the game as the center. When the child in the center calls out one of the vegetable names, those children get up and try to find a new chair as the center tries to steal a seat. The child left standing calls out a new vegetable and the game repeats. If the center child calls out “Garden Turnover!” all the children get up to find a new seat. SING IT Bingo Was His Name O There was a farmer who had a dog, and Bingo was his name O! B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, B-I-N-G-O, and Bingo was his name O! Sample Infant Cycle Menu Here is a sample cycle menu for infants, 6 months to 11 months old, to help you plan your calendar with creditable recipes that meet the New Meal Pattern guidelines. Important 1. Breastmilk or formula, or portions of both, must be served; however, it is recommended that breastmilk be served in place of formula from birth through 11 months. For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breastmilk per feeding, a serving of less than the minimum amount of breastmilk may be offered, with additional breastmilk offered at a later time if the infant will consume more. 2. Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron-fortified. 3. Beginning October 1, 2019, ounce equivalents are used to determine the quantity of creditable grains. 4. A serving of grains must be whole grain-rich, enriched meal, or enriched flour. 5. Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce (no more than 21.2 grams sucrose and other sugars per 100 grams of dry cereal). 6. Fruit and vegetable juices must not be served. MONDAY DAY 1 TUESDAY Day 2 WEDNESDAY Day 3 THURSDAY Day 4 FRIDAY Day 5 BREAKFAST 4 - 6 oz. 6 - 8 oz. Milk Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula -- 0 - 2 tbs. Fruit/Vegetable Mashed Banana Mashed or Cubed Avacado Applesauce Pureed Mangoes Pureed Peaches -- 0 - 4 oz. Grain/Meat Infants Rice Cereal Scrambled Eggs Infants Rice Cereal Infants Oatmeal Plain Yogurt LUNCH 4 - 6 oz. 6 - 8 oz. Milk Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula -- 0 - 2 tbs. Fruit / Vegetable Mashed Cauliflower Mashed Green Beans Mashed Carrots Pureed Pears Mashed Peas -- 0 - 4 oz. Grain/Meat Finely Chopped Chicken Infants Rice Cereal Finely Chopped Turkey Infant Rice Cereal Cottage Cheese SNACK 4 - 6 oz. 2 - 4 oz. Milk Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula Breastmilk or Formula -- 0 - 2 tbs. Fruit / Vegetable Seedless Watermelon Mashed Sweet Potato Mashed Kiwi Mashed Broccoli Mashed Zucchini -- 0 - 4 oz. Grain/Meat Teething Biscuit Puffed Cereal Crackers Teething Biscuit Crackers Visit cacfp.org for more information. CACFP is an indicator of quality Child Care. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 0-5 MONTHS 6-11 MONTHS All foods are subject to the individual infant and their own developmental readiness to consume that food item. Make it your own with a CACFP Food Station A charcuterie board, pronounced SHAR-KOO-TUH-REE, comes from the French word meaning “porkbutcher shop.” This fun and creative way of assembling cured meats and meat products has grown to be quite popular and now commonly includes cheeses, breads, crackers, fruits, vegetables, nuts and dips. Try using charcuterie to serve some #CACFPCreditable meals and snacks! cacfp.org CACFP is an indicator of quality care. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Elevate family-style meals with a CACFP food station! These are a great “choose your own adventure” type of meal service that encourage independent choice as participants can make their own creations. Focus on 2-3 components that participants can use to customize their meals. For example, if you’re doing a taco bar, you can provide different tortillas for grains, meats and cheeses for meat/ meat alternate, and a variety of vegetables. Round out the meal with a glass of milk and a chosen fruit, such as a clementine orange for everyone. Provide a scoop for each creditable food item that makes it easy to break down instructions. Going back to our taco bar, if there is shredded beef, beans and cheese available, you can provide scoops that would equal 0.5 ounce equivalents of each meat/meat alternate. When serving 3-5 year olds, you would then say that they can choose any combination of exactly three scoops that they want - so they could have one scoop of each, three scoops of the same food item, or two scoops of one item and one scoop of a second item. Just make sure that each scoop meets the minimum creditable amount, in case they decide to only have one scoop of a food item on their plate! Consider limitations and choose items that are budget-friendly. Food stations are not just a way for participants to be creative in how they assemble their meals, but they are an opportunity for you to make a theme fit into your meal service style and budget. Provide the minimum serving of each food component based on meal type and number of participants at the table. You want to make sure your food station is reimbursable! You should also use your judgement to determine how much of a food item to serve. You don’t want to be left with unhappy participants at the end of the line who didn’t get the choice they wanted because of underestimating popular items. Don’t forget add-ons! Though not reimbursable, these will allow further customization and more fun to the meal. These can include toppings, dressings, condiments or non-creditable amounts of other components. Step 1 Use the Nutrition Facts label to find the Serving Size, in ounces (oz) or grams (g), of the yogurt. Step 2 Find the Sugars line. Look at the number of grams (g) next to the sugars. Step 3 Using the Serving Size identified in Step One, find the Serving Size of the yogurt in the table below. Step 4 Once you have identified the Serving Size, look at the number to the right under the “Sugars” column. If the yogurt has that amount of sugar, or less, your yogurt meets the sugar requirement. Tip: If the serving size says “one container,” check the front of the package to see how many ounces or grams are in the container. sample yogurt How to identify if your yogurt is within the Sugar Limit CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. cacfp.org IS YOUR YOGURT CACFP Creditable? Serving Size 1 cup (227g) Servings per container 4 Amount Per Serving Calories 150 Calories from Fat 15 % Daily Values ** Total Fat 1.5g 3% Saturated Fat 1g 5% Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 10mg 3% Sodium 100mg 4% Potassium 310mg 9% Total Carbohydrate 39g 13% Sugars 18g Protein 6g 12% Vitamin A 20% • Calcium 20% Vitamin D 20% • Phosphorus 15% Not a significant source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C and Iron. •• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Total Fat Sat Fat Cholesterol Sodium Potassium Total Carbohydrate Dietary Fiber Protein Calories Less than Less than Less than Less than 2,000 65g 20g 300mg 2,400mg 3,500mg 300g 25g 50g 2,500 80g 25g 300mg 2,400mg 3,500mg 375g 30g 65g SERVING SIZE OUNCES (OZ) SERVING SIZE GRAMS (G) (use when serving size is not listed in ounces) SUGARS If the serving size is: Sugars cannot be more than: 2.25 oz 64 grams 9 grams 3.5 oz 99 grams 13 grams 4 oz 113 grams 15 grams 5.3 oz 150 grams 20 grams 6 oz 170 grams 23 grams 8 oz 227 grams 31 grams Sugar Limits in Yogurt Here are three ways to determine if a breakfast cereal is within the CACFP sugar limit. As long as a breakfast cereal meets the sugar limit using AT LEAST ONE OF THESE METHODS described below, it is considered within the sugar limit. WIC Women • Infants • Children Use your State agency’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) approved breakfast cereal list. * confirm with your states WIC approved cereal list. Use USDA’s Team Nutrition training worksheet “Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Low in Added Sugar.” The worksheet includes a chart with common breakfast cereal serving sizes and the maximum amount of sugar the breakfast cereal may contain per serving. ALLOWABLE SUGAR LIMITS Product Example: Dora the Explorer Disclosure: This list is for informational purposes and does not imply endorsement by NCA or the USDA. The amount of sugar in a cereal might change. Even if you always buy the same brands and types of cereal, be sure to check the serving size and amount of sugars on the Nutrition Facts label to make sure they match what you have written in the list above. All cereals served must be whole grain-rich, enriched or fortified. 1 WIC* Identifying Cereal Sugar Limits 2 If the serving size is: 8-11 grams 12-16 grams 17-21 grams 22-25 grams 26-30 grams 31-35 grams 36-40 grams 41-44 grams 45-49 grams 50-54 grams 55-58 grams 59-63 grams 64-68 grams 69-73 grams 74-77 grams 78-82 grams cannot be more than: 2 grams 3 grams 4 grams 5 grams 6 grams 7 grams 8 grams 9 grams 10 grams 11 grams 12 grams 13 grams 14 grams 15 grams 16 grams 17 grams SERVING SIZE SUGARS (https://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/cacfp-meal-pattern-training-tools) cacfp.org Use the Nutrition Facts label on the breakfast cereal packaging to calculate the sugar content per dry ounce. 1) Find the serving size in grams at the top of the label and the sugars listed towards the middle. 2) Divide the total sugars by the serving size in grams. If the answer is equal to or less than 0.212, then the cereal is within the required sugar limit and may be creditable in CACFP. GRAMS OF SUGAR PER SERVING GRAMS OF CEREAL PER SERVING if... = < 0.212 it is creditable 3 6 g sugar 27 g cereal = 0 .2222 Product Example: Dora the Explorer meets one of the three methods, therefore, this product is CACFP creditable. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. cacfp.org :: 1 :: 2021-2022 Child Nutrition For the Child and Adult Care Food Program Community Today LEARN IT Most kids like eating fruit, but do they know how important fruit is for their growing bodies? Fruits provide important nutrients such as Vitamin C and Vitamin A, potassium, fiber, and folic acid. They can also reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. Fruits are a convenient anytime snack and can be eaten in any form – fresh, frozen, canned and dried. There are so many different varieties – the possibilities are endless! CRAFT IT Paper Plate Fruit Basket. The children will love making their own fruit basket with all of their favorite fruits. Using the templates on @cacfp.org, ask the children to color the fruits and practice their fine motor skills by cutting them out. To make the fruit basket, cut half of the center out of a paper plate in a Capital D shape. The children can paint and decorate their basket. Then have them glue their fruits onto the back where they show through the front to make them look like the fruits are in the basket. SING IT I Like to Eat Apples and Bananas Use this fun childhood song to practice the vowel sounds. The lyrics are repetitive but each time the children start a new verse, try a different vowel sound. There are many versions online you canwatch and practice along with. Verse: I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas. I like to eat, eat, eat apples and bananas. Vowel Practice with soft e: I like to eat, eat, eat, epples and benenes. I like to eat, eat, eat, epples and benenes. Vowel Practice with Long E: I like to eat, eat, eat, EEpples and Beeneenees. I like to eat, eat, eat, EEpples and Beeneenees. Continue to repeat the verse for each vowel sound. PLAY IT Fruit Basket Turn Over. Create a circle of chairs with enough chairs for all but one child. The standing child will start the game from the center as the fruit announcer and will call out fruit. All the children will be given a fruit card. The children with the fruit called out will stand up and quickly try to find a new seat. The child in the center will try to sit in one of the empty seats. The child without a seat will then become the fruit announcer. GROW IT Did you know strawberries are one of the easiest fruits to grow? They can be planted in hanging baskets, containers, or in a garden. They love the sunshine and need well-drained soil to flourish. For a hanging basket, plant 3-6 small plants per basket, fertilize regularly, and remember to keep the soil moist. READ IT Mrs. Peanuckle’s Fruit Alphabet by Mrs. Peanuckle and Jessie Ford Apples by Gail Gibbons A Fruit is a Suitcase for Seeds by Jean Richards, Anca Hariton (Illustrator) The Fruits We Eat by Gail Gibbons EAT IT Rainbow Fruit Salad Watermelon Cantaloupe Pineapple Kiwi Blueberries This is sure to be a favorite for kids and great way to get them involved in the kitchen where age appropriate. Wash, peel, and dice fruit as needed. To keep the fruit looking fresh, squeeze a lemon or lime over the fruit. Mix together and enjoy! Snack Crediting: Serve 1/2 cup for ages 1-5 cacfp.org Fruit CACFP is an indicator of quality child care. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Healthy Choices on a Budget Ten Ways to Save You Even More Money There is a huge misconception that eating healthy costs a lot more than the everyday average meal, especially if you have a small group to feed. You may have heard of some ways to help cut the grocery bill. Many of them are pretty common such as looking for coupons, meal planning, and making grocery lists. While those certainly help, we want to dig a little deeper and share ten ways to help you save even more change for your purse. cacfp.org CACFP is an indicator of quality care. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. 1 Share Ingredients First and foremost, meal planning is key. When planning your meals, share ingredients. For example, you make black bean and spinach tostadas on Monday; chances are you won’t use all your spinach. Don’t let it go to waste. Use the remaining spinach on Tuesday for spinach and strawberry salad. Wednesday’s menu calls for strawberry pancakes. You get the idea. 2 Adapt to Sales Don’t throw away the junk mail just yet. Check and see what’s on sale before menu planning. If there’s a great sale on whole grain pasta and canned tuna, make tuna noodle casserole for lunch that week. Plan ahead and if something you use often is on sale, like green beans, buy ahead of time to store or freeze until you need it. 3 Shop Specialty Stores Discount stores are perfect for saving money if you’re creative with your meals and plan your menus with what they have available. Or shop online! Online grocers can be a source for savings and convenience. Also, grocers specializing in ethnic foods often times have hard-to-find ingredients at great prices. 4 Visit the Farmer’s Market right before they close. Growers don’t want to take produce back with them. They tend to give the best deals right before they call it a day. It saves them money too because produce gets wasted if it doesn’t sell. You can’t get any healthier than fresh produce. 5 Buy in Bulk Shop in the bulk bin section of your grocery store. Get your noodles, rice, quinoa, flour and other dry ingredients. Buying by the pound saves you some serious dough. Bonus Buy your meat in bulk. Wholesale stores have great prices by the pound on ground beef, chicken and pork. Just separate and freeze when you get home. 6 Learn Price Per Unit Grocery stores have to display food costs in price per ounce or price per unit. Often, you’ll find that the price per ounce is significantly less for the food item you want when purchased in a larger volume. It may cost more but you’re getting a bigger bang for your buck. 7 Make Your Own Condiments Make your own dips, sauces, salad dressings and spreads. Not only are these items inexpensive to make, but you control the sodium and fat contents. You also eliminate unhealthy ingredients. 8 Stay Loyal Sign up for store loyalty programs. Some food markets and super stores offer cash back on your purchases or bonus points to use toward a discount on your bill at the register. The more you spend at that same store, the more you will earn - which can mean big savings over time. 9 Eat Less Meat Use meat alternates when possible. Beans and eggs are less expensive than a pound of hamburger. Use refried beans on your taco instead of beef, or serve egg salad sandwiches instead of turkey. 10 Get Paid to Grocery Shop Download rebate apps on your phone. Tag it with grocery store loyalty apps. Most apps do the savings for you. Just shop and scan. Some apps will even provide credit you if a product you recently purchased goes on sale within a certain time frame. Stretch your food dollars. When you receive reimbursement from the USDA as a CACFP provider for serving healthy meals and snacks, you can purchase a greater variety of foods. Know someone who is not on the food program? Share our site, cacfp.org so they can: Find a Sponsor cacfp.org CACFP is an indicator of quality care. This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Avo cado Avocados are classified as a vegetable in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program. Nutritious and Delicious Avocados are packed with vitamins, minerals and other nutrients such as dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, vitamin K and vitamin C. CACFP Creditable Spotlight 7 Ways to Try Avocado Classic Guacamole Avocado Mango Salsa Avocado Tomato Toast Turkey Avocado Pinwheels Bean Burger with Avocado Avocado Tuna Salad Sinh To Bo (Avocado Smoothie) Visit Us Online Support right at your fingertips... Find recipes, helpful tools, resources and much more at cacfp.org @NationalCACFP