Child Foods Provided
Every meal and snack helps children build a foundation for future eating habits.
The best practices (per GO NAPSACC) and the related resources in this section focus on what foods may be provided and served to children at child care programs. Fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains are an important part of a healthy diet and should be incorporated into the meals and snacks. Meanwhile, salts, sugars, and fats should be limited to remain within dietary guidelines.
Best Practices
Select each GO NAPSACC best practice goal below to find related resources.
“Fruit (not including juice) is offered 2 times per day or more. (Half-day: 1 time per day or more)”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Farm to School Directory
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Taste the Local Difference
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Local Food for Little Eaters - A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child & Adult Care Food Program
Summary: Toolkit is designed to help early care providers purchase local food for their programs. It gives step-by-step instructions for purchasing from a variety of local food sources. The instructions include successful strategies and examples of how early childhood programs nationwide are purchasing local food.
Source: Michigan State University - Center for Regional Food Systems
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for consuming more fruits and vegetables and the corresponding health benefits. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Network
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Michigan CSA Network
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Seasonal Produce Guide
Summary: See what is available in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Clicking on each item will take you to further information and educational resources about it.
Source: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, United States Department of Agriculture
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“Fruit that is fresh, frozen, or canned in its own juice is offered every time fruit is served.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Farm to School Directory
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Taste the Local Difference
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Local Food for Little Eaters - A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child & Adult Care Food Program
Summary: Toolkit is designed to help early care providers purchase local food for their programs. It gives step-by-step instructions for purchasing from a variety of local food sources. The instructions include successful strategies and examples of how early childhood programs nationwide are purchasing local food.
Source: Michigan State University - Center for Regional Food Systems
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for consuming more fruits and vegetables and the corresponding health benefits. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Network
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Michigan CSA Network
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Seasonal Produce Guide
Summary: See what is available in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Clicking on each item will take you to further information and educational resources about it.
Source: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, United States Department of Agriculture
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“Vegetables (not including french fries, tater tots, hash browns, or dried beans) are offered 2 times per day or more. (Half-day: 1 time per day or more)”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Farm to School Directory
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Taste the Local Difference
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Local Food for Little Eaters - A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child & Adult Care Food Program
Summary: Toolkit is designed to help early care providers purchase local food for their programs. It gives step-by-step instructions for purchasing from a variety of local food sources. The instructions include successful strategies and examples of how early childhood programs nationwide are purchasing local food.
Source: Michigan State University - Center for Regional Food Systems
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for consuming more fruits and vegetables and the corresponding health benefits. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Network
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Michigan CSA Network
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Seasonal Produce Guide
Summary: See what is available in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Clicking on each item will take you to further information and educational resources about it.
Source: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, United States Department of Agriculture
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“Children are offered dark green, orange, red, or deep yellow vegetables (not including corn) 1 time per day or more.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Dark Green, Red, and Orange Vegetables
Summary: Factsheet explaining which vegetables are "dark," why they are good for us, and how much we need daily.
Source: Montana State University Extension
Farm to School Directory
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Taste the Local Difference
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Local Food for Little Eaters - A Purchasing Toolbox for the Child & Adult Care Food Program
Summary: Toolkit is designed to help early care providers purchase local food for their programs. It gives step-by-step instructions for purchasing from a variety of local food sources. The instructions include successful strategies and examples of how early childhood programs nationwide are purchasing local food.
Source: Michigan State University - Center for Regional Food Systems
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for consuming more fruits and vegetables and the corresponding health benefits. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Michigan Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs) Network
Summary: This search tool allows child care providers to search for local produce suppliers.
Source: Michigan CSA Network
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Seasonal Produce Guide
Summary: See what is available in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Clicking on each item will take you to further information and educational resources about it.
Source: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education, United States Department of Agriculture
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“Vegetables are rarely or never cooked or flavored with meat fat, margarine, or butter.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for consuming more fruits and vegetables and the corresponding health benefits. In particular, see Week 3 – Love your veggies, Week 4 – Enjoy Fruit, Week 11 – Beyond Fresh, and Week 21: Get more veggies.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Methods for Healthy Cooking
Summary: Improve health by replacing frying foods with other methods.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Model Policies for Creating a Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity Environment in Child Care Settings
Summary: This nutrition toolkit describes model policies and provides tips to on how to fulfill them.
Source: Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Community Food and Nutrition Assistance
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“Fried or pre-fried potatoes are offered less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Methods for Healthy Cooking
Summary: Improve health by replacing frying foods with other methods.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“Fried or pre-fried meats or fish are offered less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Methods for Healthy Cooking
Summary: Improve health by replacing frying foods with other methods.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“High-fat meats are offered less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 6 – Plan for protein, Week 7 – More than meat, and Week 8 – Don’t forget diary.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Methods for Healthy Cooking
Summary: Improve health by replacing frying foods with other methods.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“Lean or low-fat meats or meat alternatives are offered every time meats or meat alternatives are served.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 6 – Plan for protein and Week 7 – More than meat.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“High-fiber, whole grain foods are offered 2 times per day or more. (Half-day: 1 time per day or more)”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 5 – Whole grains.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“High-sugar, high-fat foods are offered less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 5 – Whole grains.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children
Summary: Reproducible newsletters that can be given to parents to address many of the challenges they face every day. These can also reinforce the lessons being taught to children in child care. Topics include portion sizes, reducing sugar, reducing sodium, picky eating, increasing nutritious food groups, and more. Newsletters can be downloaded, or hard copies may be ordered.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service
“High-salt, high-fat snacks are offered less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 5 – Whole grains.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children
Summary: Reproducible newsletters that can be given to parents to address many of the challenges they face every day. These can also reinforce the lessons being taught to children in child care. Topics include portion sizes, reducing sugar, reducing sodium, picky eating, increasing nutritious food groups, and more. Newsletters can be downloaded, or hard copies may be ordered.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
“Children are given sweet or salty snacks outside of meal and snack times less than 1 time per week or never.”
Child Nutrition Recipe Box
Summary: USDA standardized recipes for child nutrition.
Source: Institute of Child Nutrition
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs
Summary: Available in three formats: an interactive web-based tool, a mobile app, or a printable document. It makes it easy to search and navigate food lists for the CACFP program. In both the web-based tool and the mobile app, a profile can be created to save food items to a favorites list.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture
Go Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (NAPSACC) Bilingual Self-Assessments
Summary: Free for providers. Contacting a consultant and completing the online version of the appropriate assessment opens a suite of planning, learning, professional development, and implementation tools to understand further what the best practices are and how to make them happen in your child care.
Source: Go Nutritional and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (Go NAPSACC)
Healthy Kids, Healthy Future
Summary: Under the section of “Nurture Healthy Eaters,” find child activities and other resources by clicked on the left-hand menu.
Source: The Nemours Foundation
Infant and Toddler Nutrition
Summary: Resources for families and for providers that are CACFP operators. Find guidelines, training slides, worksheets/handouts, videos, and even an interactive training game.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Making Healthy Choices: Newsletters for Parents
Summary: Nutrition newsletters designed for parents, featuring tips for healthier diets. In particular, see Week 5 – Whole grains.
Source: Michigan State University Extension
Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children
Summary: Reproducible newsletters that can be given to parents to address many of the challenges they face every day. These can also reinforce the lessons being taught to children in child care. Topics include portion sizes, reducing sugar, reducing sodium, picky eating, increasing nutritious food groups, and more. Newsletters can be downloaded, or hard copies may be ordered.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Young Children
Summary: Collection of tip sheets for nutrition and physical activity. Each tip sheet focuses on a specific topic and includes a practical application section to help apply tips to a child care program for children ages 2 through 5 years old. See pages 5-17.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Team Nutrition Resources for Child Care
Summary: Under the USDA, provides training and technical assistance to child care providers and program operators, CACFP best practices, nutrition and developmental education for providers and families, and resources to support a healthier environment.
Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
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