National Zookeeper Week

National Zookeeper Week is July 16-22, which makes this week a great time to try out some fun animal-themed recipes! Let kids get creative and assemble their own Barn Owl English Muffin. For more ideas on fun ways to present meals, check out our webinar, Food Plating with a Purpose. If you have some creative recipes of your own, we'd love to feature them on our Creditable Foods Blog!

· Recipe: Barn Owl English Muffin

· On-Demand Webinar: Food Plating with a Purpose

· MyPlate Resource: Peaches 5 Ways

· Free Activity Page: Zookeeper Community Helper

· Submit Recipes to the Creditable Foods Blog

Explore New Foods at the Virtual Summit

Introducing new foods can be challenging. We're here to help! Explore New Foods with a Taste Testing Adventure is a must-see session at the Virtual Summit that will teach you new taste testing strategies, how to promote conversations around meals and other food tasting adventure tips.

· Learn More

· Apply for a Scholarship to the Virtual Summit

Network with Regional NCA Members

You asked, we listened! We're hosting a day of regional meetups for our NCA members through Zoom Meetings on Tuesday, August 1. Engage with professionals in your region and within your job type, with peers who understand your specific challenges and opportunities. See the registration page to confirm the time of your region's meetup.

· Register Today

More Virtual Events

· Crediting Recipes in the CACFP for Centers (July 27)

· Recursos en español para CACFP (3 de agosto)

· Advancing Indigenous Health Equity and Food Security (August 24)

2023-2024 Reimbursement and Cash-in-Lieu Rates Released

The USDA has released the Reimbursement and Cash-in-Lieu Rates for 2023-2024. Cash in Lieu rates decreased by one half (1/2) cents per lunch and supper in the CACFP, with the overall rate of 29.50 cents per lunch and supper. Rates are effective from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024.

· Read More on Our Blog

Welcome to Our New National Ally

Home Grown was launched publicly in October 2019. They are working to improve quality and access to home-based child care (HBCC). Their mission is broadly and inclusively defining home-based child care to include licensed family child care (FCC) and regulation-exempt or unregulated family, friend and neighbor (FFN) care.