CEs that do not wish to renew their participation must submit a written request to terminate their FND Permanent Agreement by mutual consent no later than September 30 of the current program year. Written notification should be emailed to CACFP.Bops@TexasAgriculture.gov.

• September 30, 2024 - If you wish to participate in the CACFP for Program Year 2025 you MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR RENEWAL via TX-UNPS by this date. Only complete applications that have no errors will be approved for renewal.
• After September 1, 2024 - Submitting an application after this date may delay advance payments and payments for claims.
• December 1, 2024 - ALL CACFP renewing CEs must have an approvable application submitted; CACFP renewing CEs whose applications that cannot be approved as submitted as of the mentioned December date will not be eligible for claim reimbursement for the month of October 2024.

Per Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Child and Adult Care Program Handbooks, Sections 2430 or 2530, organizations must submit a form of government issued identification for EACH principal of the organization. Beginning Program Year 2024-2025 (PY25), as part of the annual renewal application review, TDA will conduct an audit to determine if all principals listed in the application have a government issued ID on file.

Please review more information on Squaremeals.org on the Renewing CEs page under Documentation Submittal Guidance located here.

Thank you for serving nutritious summer meals to children across the Lone Star State and participating in Turnip the Beet to gain national recognition of your programs! We have extended the submission deadline to September 17, 2024. Please submit 2024 applications to Nutrition@TexasAgriculture.gov as soon as possible! Visit our SquareMeals page for more information.

What’s the summer cost report requirement and why are we being asked to complete it?

Agriculture Code, Title 2, §12.0029 mandates school districts to offer a summer nutrition if the costs were $0. If your school district received a mandate to participate in a summer nutrition program in 2023 and did not receive a waiver, then you are required to submit a summer cost report to the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). TDA reports this information to the Texas Legislature and identifies all school districts that failed to satisfy the requirements of this section.

September is National Food Safety Education Month. Not only is it important for you to make sure the food you serve to those in your care is safe, following food safety best practices can help avoid illness for yourself and those around you. Our partners at the International Food Information Council have resources to help you stay on top of food safety best practices.

Get Tips

The Crediting in the Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheet series is a seven-part series that is sure to provide all the information you want in a quick reference format ideal for any Child Nutrition Program operator. Now, the series reflects the changes with the Final Rule, “Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans.” Provisions that require a gradual change are included with implementation dates to assist Program operators with future menu planning. There is a tip sheet for each of the five meal components to include three for the Grains component, which cover whole grain-rich and Program-specific requirements. Each tip sheet has its own question-and-answer section. Whether you are a Program operator, State agency staff, or FNS Regional Office, these tip sheets are great for guidance and training.

When preparing meals in the CACFP, keeping foods at an appropriate, safe temperature is crucial. Maintaining foods at the correct temperature prevents harmful germs from spreading and multiplying and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. There is a specific temperature range where foods are most susceptible to bacterial growth, known as the danger zone. So, what is the danger zone?

Watch Our Meal Pattern Minute