LATEST NEWS

Update 2/27/2026: Update about what is happening with the Claims Validation Review and USDA FNS off-site and on-site visits. Pop-Up Zoom Meeting: On-Site Claims Verification/Validation Reviews (CDSS Notice) 🗓️ Thursday at 11:00 AM Pacific | 📍 Zoom ⭐  Free for CACFP Roundtable Members   🏷️  $25.00 Non-members   Register here Our communities are facing uncertainty and hardship in a number of ways. This week, California Department of Social Services - CACFP Branch, sent an e

The 2026 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) rates have been published by USDA. Table from fns.USDA.gov : https://www.fns.usda.gov/summer/sunmeals/fr-020426 The rates are annually adjusted each year and reflect the changes in the Consumer Price Index, Food Away from Home series. There was an increase in rates ranging from a 4-cent increase to a 19-cent increase, the average, as FNS USDA state,s is a 3.7 percent increase from last year. Shown above are the combined rates of op

Updated 2/5/2026 The government reopened on February 3, 2026, when a bi-partisan funding bill was passed and signed by President Trump. Members of Congress took out the funding of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as there was wide disagreement about increasing funding for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). DHS is flat-funded for the next two weeks as Members of Congress in both chambers attempt to come to an agreement about ICE funding and rules. The

Yesterday, President Trump signed into law the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2025 . This law amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. The change allows whole milk to be served in schools, along with reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. It can be organic or not organic. This bill also allows for parents to provide a written statement for a milk substitute. Previously, it was only allowed by a written statement from a licensed ph

In 2025, we saw some proposed policy changes, actual policy changes, and some implementation changes for the CACFP. I wanted to take a moment and circle back to put it all in one place and update you about what did or did not take place. We'll also take a quick look at what is happening now at the federal level. Longest Government Shutdown in History in 2025, will there be another? Last fall, we experienced the longest government shutdown in history. Congress passed a continu

Dietary Guidelines for Americans Every five years, since 1980, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) publish a report called the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This report is issued to help guide policy that impacts nutrition policy. It is also meant to guide doctors and the public about healthy ways to consume meals, snacks, and beverages. The Center for Science in Public Interest has an informational website about

CACFP, Food Access and the Government Shutdown. An opportunity to talk to community members.

Access the recording and resources from our Government Shutdown & CACFP and Food Access discussion with experts and community members across the nation.

You may have noticed that the links to Spanish resources on federal websites, including Team Nutrition, no longer work. On March 1, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order Designating English as the Official Language of the United States . On July 14, 2025, the Justice Department released guidance on how to implement this Executive Order. It is time for us to come together and share resources in other languages that our agencies may have access to or have downloaded.

California Department of Social Services CACFP Branch has published the fiscal year 2025 through 2026 state meal reimbursement rates,...

Updated 9/3/2025 Update: As Politico states it "USDA has quietly extended the public comment period for its reorganization plan to...

Register now for Head Start California’s Health Institute, taking place November 3–5, 2025 , at the beautiful and historic Hayes Mansion...

The long-awaited Cash in Lieu rates have been published in the Federal Register and on USDA FNS website . "Notice is hereby given that...

In July of 2025 the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., published a notice with a major...

Last week, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, announced a USDA Reorganization Plan . Overall, they plan to close several D.C. area offices...

Updated 4/22/2025: On Friday, April 18th, the National Head Start Association (NHSA) hosted a meeting with over 7,000 individuals in...

You might remember last year, there were four bills (with just two names in the House and Senate) we were excited to advocate for support...

Updated 3/14/2025 The Senate voted to pass the Continuing Resolution today, March 14, 2025. This will stop the potential of a government...

When we emailed the community yesterday , there was still a sense of panic and uncertainty around the Office of Management and Budget's...

Updated 1/29/2025 to include the waivers to enable grab-and-go meals through CACFP. Our communities have been deeply impacted by the...