You are receiving this newsletter because you are enrolled in the WECA Food Program.

Stay connected: Check out our current staff directory here.

We appreciate and applaud your long commitment to serving nutritious meals and snacks to the children in your care! 

2023 Annual Provider Training – Due May 31!

Expiring JUNE 30, 2023: Keep Kids Fed Act of 2022

Updated USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Whenever providers refer to USDA/CACFP/Food Program participation, requirements and/or the meal patterns (such as in their parent handbook, website, newsletter or advertisements,) they are required to include the current nondiscrimination statement. 

Find the current Nondiscrimination Statement with Complaint Filing Procedure here under GM H: Civil Rights

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

mail:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

fax:

(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442

email:

program.intake@usda.gov

“Commercially prepared tofu is creditable: A 2.2 oz (1/4 c) serving of commercially prepared tofu, containing at least 5 g of protein, provides 1 oz eq of meat/meat alternate.” (FNS: Crediting Handbook for the Child and Adult Care Food Program, 2020)

Looking for a quick, zesty side dish for this meatless entrée? Try Avocado and Corn Salsa from My Plate.

Infants on CACFP: Things You Should Know

All providers caring for infants must offer to supply:

1) At least one creditable iron-fortified infant formula (IFIF).

2) Creditable, developmentally appropriate infant foods.

• Providers must offer to supply infant formula and foods even when they choose to not claim infant meals for CACFP reimbursement.
• Providers cannot avoid this requirement by stating infants are not “enrolled” in the CACFP, or by citing administrative or cost barriers to offering infant meals.
• Families may choose whether they would like their infant to receive the provider-supplied formula and foods, or if they would like to supply breast milk, a different formula, and/or foods.
• Families cannot be required to supply formula or foods.

This information is captured on the Parent/Provider Formula Agreement, which is triggered when a provider enrolls a new child with a date of birth younger than 1 year of age.

3) The provider must always have enough IFIF and foods on-hand to serve meals according to each infant’s developmental readiness and feeding schedule, regardless of whether the family or provider supplies the infant’s IFIF, breast milk, and/or foods. If families choose to supply breast milk, IFIF, and/or foods for their infant while in care, the provider and families must agree to a contingency plan that will be followed when the infant’s IFIF, breast milk, and/or food supply runs out. The contingency plan must ensure that the infant’s feeding schedule is not interrupted while the infant is in care.

4) The provider must supply all components or all but one component: The CACFP allows families to provide only one component for a meal or snack that is claimed. If families provide more than one component, the meal cannot be claimed.

When an infant is fed foods provided by the parent, the provider must complete and submit Infant foods Provided by Parent: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/food-program/one-infant-meal-component-provided-by-parent/

5) The provider should work with the infant’s parent(s) to decide when the child is developmentally ready to be introduced to solid foods. Consult this helpful resource from DPI for more information:

https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/community-nutrition/pdf/infant_development_readiness_handout.pdf

For more information, please contact your Area Coordinator.

State Attendance Records Do Not Substitute for Daily Meal Counts!

Your menus and meal counts (including each child’s name or ID number) must be recorded online by the end of each business day. Paper templates are to be used for emergencies only.

State attendance records will not be accepted by your Area Coordinator as a substitute for your daily meal counts. State attendance records will be used ONLY to compare with your Food Program records. 

(Source: WI FDCH Guidance Memorandum L, 2/2022)

Is Your Contact Information Correct?

To keep you informed, the Food Program needs your correct contact information.

Changed your email?

Notify us here: Change in Email Address

Has your name, address or phone number changed?

Notify us here: Change in Provider Information

If your name or address changed, you MUST submit a copy of your new cert

or license: Email it to foodprogram@wisconsinearlychildhood.org or

fax it to 866-222-9520.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

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