Resources & Learning
HomeCurated training materials and resources for CACFP and SFSP programs
Featured Resources
Infant Meal Pattern Guide
Detailed guide to CACFP infant meal patterns including breastmilk, formula, and solid foods by age.
Farm to ECE Implementation Guide
Guide to implementing farm to early care and education programs.
Crediting Handbook for CACFP
Comprehensive reference for crediting all food components in CACFP.
Getting Started
Program basics, eligibility, and enrollment guides
SFSP Program Fact Sheet
Overview of the Summer Food Service Program including site types, meal patterns, and sponsor requirements.
Getting Started in CACFP - A Handbook for New Sponsors
Step-by-step guide for new CACFP sponsors covering administrative requirements, meal service, and compliance.
CACFP Overview and Eligibility
Comprehensive guide to the Child and Adult Care Food Program including eligibility requirements, benefits, and how to apply.
Meal Patterns
Requirements by age group, components, and portions
Infant Meal Pattern Guide
Detailed guide to CACFP infant meal patterns including breastmilk, formula, and solid foods by age.
CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements
Official meal pattern requirements for all age groups in CACFP including infants, children, and adults.
SFSP Meal Pattern Chart
Quick reference chart for Summer Food Service Program meal requirements.
Menu Planning
Cycle menus, templates, and seasonal planning guides
Cycle Menu Planning for Child Care
How to create effective cycle menus for child care settings including templates and examples.
Menu Planning Training Course
Self-paced online course covering menu planning fundamentals for child nutrition programs.
Seasonal Menu Ideas
Menu planning ideas organized by season featuring local and seasonal produce.
Crediting & Labels
How to credit foods, CN labels, and Product Formulation Statements
Crediting Handbook for CACFP
Comprehensive reference for crediting all food components in CACFP.
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
The official USDA guide for determining creditable amounts of foods in child nutrition programs.
How to Read a CN Label
Guide to understanding and using Child Nutrition (CN) labels for meal crediting.
Recipes
Standardized recipes and batch cooking resources
USDA Recipes for Child Care
Standardized recipes developed for child care settings with crediting information.
Team Nutrition Recipe Database
Searchable database of USDA-approved recipes for child nutrition programs.
Cooking with Kids Recipes
Age-appropriate recipes for cooking activities with children.
Compliance & Audits
Recordkeeping, monitoring, and audit preparation
CACFP Recordkeeping Requirements
Complete guide to required documentation and recordkeeping for CACFP.
Monitoring Handbook for CACFP
Guide for sponsors conducting monitoring visits at CACFP sites.
Audit Preparation Checklist
Comprehensive checklist to prepare for state agency audits and reviews.
Training & CEUs
Required trainings, certifications, and continuing education
ICN CACFP Training Courses
Free online training courses for CACFP operators with CEU credits available.
Food Safety Training for Child Care
Online food safety course specifically designed for child care settings.
Civil Rights Training for CACFP
Required annual civil rights training for all CACFP staff.
Special Diets
Allergies, medical accommodations, and cultural foods
Accommodating Food Allergies in CACFP
Guidance on managing food allergies and special dietary needs in child care.
Vegetarian and Vegan Meal Planning
Resources for planning vegetarian and vegan meals that meet program requirements.
Religious Dietary Accommodations
Guide to accommodating religious dietary requirements in child nutrition programs.
Procurement
Buying guides, vendor requirements, and USDA Foods
USDA Foods in Child Nutrition Programs
Guide to ordering and using USDA Foods (commodities) in your program.
Procurement Standards for Child Nutrition
Federal procurement requirements for purchasing food and supplies.
Buy American Provision Guide
Requirements for purchasing domestic food products in child nutrition programs.
Farm to Table
Local sourcing, gardens, and food education
Farm to ECE Implementation Guide
Guide to implementing farm to early care and education programs.
Starting a Garden at Your Site
Guide to starting and maintaining a garden at child care or summer feeding sites.
Local Food Procurement Guide
How to source and purchase local foods for child nutrition programs.
USDA National Offices
Official USDA Food and Nutrition Service national office contacts and hotlines
USDA FNS National Office
Main contact for Food and Nutrition Service headquarters. Phone: (703) 305-2062
Child Nutrition Programs (CNP)
Official CACFP program information and contacts. Phone: (703) 305-2054
National Hunger Hotline
Toll-free hunger assistance hotline. Phone: (866) 348-6479
State Agencies
State-level CACFP administering agency websites for all 50 states and territories
Texas CACFP
Texas Department of Agriculture - Square Meals CACFP
California CACFP
California Department of Social Services - CACFP
New York CACFP
New York State Department of Health - CACFP
USDA Regional Offices
USDA FNS regional office contacts serving multi-state areas
USDA FNS Mid-Atlantic Regional Office
Serves: DE, DC, MD, NJ, PA, PR, VA, WV. Address: 300 Corporate Boulevard, Robbinsville, NJ 08691-1518. Phone: (609) 250-5050
USDA FNS Midwest Regional Office
Serves: IL, IN, IA, MI, MN, OH, WI. Address: 77 West Jackson Boulevard - 20th Fl., Chicago, IL 60604-3507. Phone: (312) 353-4109
USDA FNS Mountain Plains Regional Office
Serves: CO, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, WY. Address: 1244 Speer Boulevard, Room 903, Denver, CO 80204-3581. Phone: (303) 844-0354