Food and Nutrition Programs

FY26 Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Available Training and Resources

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) seeks to support Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators by providing training and resources on program regulation and operational best practices. This memo includes a detailed list of training events scheduled for fiscal year 2026 (FY26).

DESE is expanding the availability of live training events (virtual and in-person), on-demand training modules, and complementary training resources. The variety in training modalities seeks to support all types of adult learners and their availably to participate in training events. Please read through the entire memo to identify all the training and resources made available this fiscal year.

CACFP Sponsors are required to provide a minimum of two (2) hours of CACFP training to their staff annually. Sponsors may utilize the available resources in the Document and Reference Library or encourage staff to attend live training events to meet this requirement. Sponsors should consider if any complementary materials or resources containing sponsor-specific policies or practices should be provided to staff.

Additionally, the designated "CACFP Responsible Contact(s)" is/are required to participate in CACFP training each year. Each sponsoring organization is responsible for ensuring that the individual(s) listed as their CACFP Responsible Contact is registered/has attended a training

Virtual Training Opportunities (Zoom)

1. From Prep to Plate: Getting Ready for FY26 CACFP

   To prepare for the upcoming fiscal year, DESE is offering training opportunities leading up to the start of the fiscal year. These events, offered over Zoom, will address important topics of program operations and establish expectations for compliance but also provide best practices and identify opportunities for program quality improvement.

   • FY26 CACFP Application
     • Date: Wednesday, August 20^th, 2pm
     • Description: The FY26 CACFP application will be made available August 15^th. This training will detail what is required of programs to submit a completed application and highlight changes to the application packet for FY26. This training will detail what it means to be in a "multi-year" application year, where not all components are required to be completed and how sponsors can make amendments or updates as needed. The live event will be recorded, and the recording will be made available in the Document and Reference Library.
     • Registration Link
     
     
   • Free, Reduced, and Paid: Understanding CACFP Eligibility
     • Date: Wednesday, August 27^th, 2pm
     • Description: Eligibility is an essential part of all CACFP programs. Understanding what is needed to document, assess, and consolidate eligibility data will help set your program up for successful and accurate claiming. This event will also include breakout sessions for each type of CACFP program to discuss the specifics of eligibility for those site types.
     • Registration Link
     
     
   • Crediting with Confidence: Serving & Documenting Creditable Foods
     • Date: Wednesday, September 3^rd, 2pm
     • Description: Not all food items are created equal within the CACFP and it is essential that program operators know which items do (and which do not) credit towards a reimbursable meal. In this training, we will discuss how to determine if a food item is creditable and identify groups of foods that do not meet the meal pattern. This event will also review what documentation may be required to credit some items served in your program.
     • Registration Link
     
     
   • Records that Reimburse: CACFP Program Documents
     • Date: Wednesday, September 10^th, 2pm
     • Description: Maintaining required program records is an essential component of operating the CACFP. Program records help validate meal counts, establish eligibility information, and demonstrate compliance with sponsor administration and internal controls. This event will review all the records that programs are required to maintain and discuss how program records are reviewed to validate your claims for reimbursement.
     • Registration Link
     
     
   • Serving Success: Meal Service Options in the CACFP
     • Date: Wednesday, September 17^th, 2pm
     • Description: Meal service in the CACFP is about more than just what is on your menus. Different styles of congregate meal service (unitized or pre-plated meals, family style, or offer versus serve) are appropriate for different types of sites. Each meal service style provides its own set of benefits and comes with its own requirements for documentation. This training will detail each style of meal service, and what is required of sponsors utilizing each.
     • Registration Link
     
     
   • From Bottles to Big Bites: Feeding Infants in the CACFP
     • Date: Wednesday, September 24^th, 2pm
     • Description: Infants are the youngest participants in the CACFP but can also be the most challenging to serve. This training will review the infant meal pattern, including creditable and non-creditable foods. You'll also learn how to document meals for reimbursement and communicate with families about feeding preferences and developmental readiness. Whether you're new to CACFP or need a refresher, this session offers practical guidance and tools for feeding infants in childcare.
     • Registration Link
     
     

2. CACFP Town Hall

   In these bimonthly town hall-style events, DESE will provide reminders and updates to institutions, as well as introduce any new materials, resources, and guidance from USDA and/or DESE. These sessions are an opportunity to ask your CACFP questions of FNP staff. Individuals can submit their questions or requests for topics to be covered in these sessions through an anonymous online survey .

   • Register once and attend any/all sessions!
     • Thursday, October 9^th, 2pm
     • Thursday, December 11^th, 2pm
     • Thursday, February 12^th, 2pm
     • Thursday, April 9^th, 2pm
     • Thursday, June 11^th, 2pm
     • Thursday, August 13^th, 2pm
   • Registration Link
   
   

3. Family Day Care (FDC) Policy Development & Monitoring Support (FDC ONLY)

   In FY26, the updated FDC policies are expected to be fully in place in provider homes, and sponsoring organizations should have documented procedures for policy implementation. MA DESE will continue to offer training specifically for sponsors and monitors of FDC homes.

   FDC Monitor Support:

   • Preparing for Home Reviews in FY26
     • Date: Tuesday, October 21^st at 1pm
     • Description :In this training for monitors of FDC providers, we will discuss the home review process as the new fiscal year begins. Specifically, this training will include discussions on the updated FDC policies and how those will be assessed and addressed in the home review.
     • Registration link
     
     
   • Serving Infants in Home Day Care
     • Date: Tuesday, March 24^th at 1pm
     • Description: In this training for monitors of FDC providers, we will discuss what infant service should and can look like in a home child care environment. This training will review the program requirements, including menu documentation and meal pattern compliance, but also discuss common questions about serving and claiming infants.
     • Registration link
   
   

   FDC Procedural Development & Implementation

   • Assessing the Updated FDC Policies in the Home
     • Date: Tuesday, January 27^th at 2pm
     • Description: In this session for FDC sponsoring organizations, DESE wants to host an open discussion to understand how the first quarter of policy implementation fared, where sponsors are finding roadblocks, and what additional supports or materials are needed.
     • Registration link

In-Person Training Opportunities

1. New Director/New Staff Training: Join us for an in-person CACFP training event designed to spark conversation, build connections, and strengthen your program. This session will go beyond the basics, featuring facilitated discussions, hands-on activities, and opportunities to share ideas and challenges with fellow CACFP institutions and sponsors. Whether you're a seasoned participant or new to CACFP, you'll walk away with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a stronger sense of community. Come ready to engage, collaborate, and participate! Agendas and additional details available prior to the event date.
   • Event Sessions:
     • November 4th — Everett, MA
     • March/April 2025 — Western MA. Please note: Date and location for this event are not yet determined, they will be released once available.
   • Registration Link
   
   
2. Save the Date: Advancing Culinary Confidence and Nutrition Education in CACFP Settings: Join us for a full-day training designed to elevate your approach to nutrition and meal service in CACFP settings. Hosted in collaboration with The John C. Stalker Institute of Food and Nutrition at Framingham State University, this engaging event will highlight the power of scratch cooking, the value of local foods, and the role of nutrition education in building healthier programs. Through interactive sessions and hands-on culinary workshops, participants will explore practical strategies for creating creditable, appealing meals and discover effective ways to engage program participants in nutrition and culinary experience. The culinary workshops will feature two globally inspired cuisines—Latin American and Asian Fusion—where participants will build skills and confidence preparing kid-friendly dishes like fish tacos, Spanish rice, crispy tofu, and stir-fried vegetables.
   • Date: Tuesday, January 7^th
   • Location: Framingham State University, Framingham, MA
   • Cost: $59 per attendee (includes a continental breakfast and lunch)
   • Audience: Sponsors of childcare centers, Head Start programs, and other operators serving early learners and have ability to support onsite meal prep and cooking.
   • Registration for the event will be available later this fall.
   
   
3. DESE Delivered: On Site Personalized Training and TA: MA DESE is continuing the opportunity for a DESE consultant to provide onsite personalized and targeted technical assistance (TA) and training. This opportunity is available on a limited basis and interested programs must apply to be considered. Priority will be given to programs who can demonstrate they have utilized available training resources and have specific TA needs. Visits will be scheduled based on the program and the consultant's availability.
   • Apply for this opportunity

On-Demand Training & Ongoing Communications

MA DESE continues to build up the online library of trainings which can be viewed at any time. Please see the CACFP Training and Resources folder in the Document and Reference Library for all CACFP-related training, support, and resources.

1. Nutrition Bites Online Courses :

   1. These interactive, online courses are designed to engage the participant and clearly communicate the training content. These on-demand courses can be completed across multiple sessions at the availability of the participant.

      The following courses will be available later this month from the Nutrition Bites Online Training Modules webpage :
   1. Food Components: Milk
   2. Food Components: Fruit
   3. Food Components: Vegetables
   4. Meal Modifications
   5. Introduction to Compliance Reviews in the CACFP
   6. Introduction to Food Safety
   7. Procurement Requirements
   8. Understanding the Food Service Agreement (FSA)
   9. Understanding the Invitation for Bid (IFB)
   
   
2. Nutrition Bites for Child Care Website
   1. This website hosts online training modules on the CACFP, including menu planning tools, recipes, and videos to support self-prep centers and home-based providers.
   
   
3. Fueling the Commonwealth Newsletter:
   1. Once a quarter (September 1^st, December 1^st, March 1^st, June 1^st) DESE releases the "Fueling the Commonwealth" newsletter. These newsletters are incredible resources filled with important upcoming dates, answer commonly asked questions, and highlight some seasonal food facts and link out to nutrition resources. All sponsors are highly encouraged to sign up to receive this newsletter .

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.