Celebrating Indigenous Foods

November is Native American Heritage Month, so here are some resources for you to learn more about incorporating traditional indigenous foods into your menu planning. Try out our Blue Cornbread Muffin recipe, which uses blue corn flour, one of 18 indigenous foods that was recently added into the Food Buying Guide.

· Recipe: Blue Cornbread Muffins

· Resource: Crediting Traditional Indigenous Foods

· Free Activity Page: Three Sisters Counting

· Members-Only Activity Page: Native American Heritage Month

Substituting Vegetables for Grains in Tribal Communities

CACFP and SFSP operators that primarily serve American Indian or Alaska Native participants can substitute ½ cup of any creditable vegetables or 1 cup of raw leafy greens for 1 oz eq of grains. Vegetables substituting as grains can be used to meet the whole grain-rich requirement in the CACFP. There is no limit to the number of times per week that vegetables may be substituted for the grains requirement. These flexibilities also extend to programs in American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Eligible program operators do not have to submit a request for approval to use this menu planning option, but must maintain documentation that demonstrates their eligibility.

· Read More on Our Blog

· Watch Our Meal Pattern Minute

Congratulations to These CACFP Professionals

Candidates with the CACFP Professional designation stand out among the crowd. If you're looking to enhance your professional image, it's time to pursue your CMP or CCNP. You may already qualify!

Get Started Serving Summer Meals

Thinking about becoming a sponsor of summer meals? Learn how to get involved in SUN Meals on December 5. You can also gain insight into the first year of the permanent option to serve non-congregate meals through SUN Meals To-Go by checking out the USDA's recently-released survey.

· Register for the Summer Meals Summit

· Read About the 2023 Summer Non-Congregate Meal Service Sponsor Survey

More Upcoming Virtual Events

· Members Only: Deep Dive: Understanding NCA Policy Priorities (December 3)

· Free Webinar: 5 Resolutions for Food Program Success in 2025 (December 17)

· Free for Members: Bite-Sized Safety: Preventing Choking Hazards (January 16)

Apply for Your Chance to Attend NCNC25 for Free

Applications are now open for a scholarship to attend the National Child Nutrition Conference in Dallas, April 14-18, 2025. We're providing seven scholarships that include conference registration, four nights of lodging at the Hilton Anatole, and up to $450 towards transportation costs. We're also awarding eight additional scholarships to the conference's virtual option. Apply by January 10 to be considered for this opportunity.

· Apply for a Scholarship