Providers Choice Blog

Food Program Training season is HERE! Starting October 2023, Providers Choice will hold annual Food Program Training workshops in the fall. Trainings will continue to provide 2 hours of Develop approved continuing education and fulfill the annual CACFP and Civil Rights training requirements. If you already attended training this spring, Healthy Habits Count, that training met requirements for fiscal year 2023 and a new CACFP training year started on October 1 for fiscal year 2024.

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As part of our ever-evolving approach at Providers Choice (PCI), we go above and beyond for our providers. From ensuring you get the maximum reimbursement while maintaining the highest integrity to the Food Program Guidelines to interpreting and changing laws for your benefit, we support every aspect of your business. This dedication includes advocating for you at the highest level.

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Prioritizing children’s health goes beyond nutrition. Exercise and physical activity are equally as important as the foods children eat, and the importance of physical activity is a focus of Providers Choice’s Healthy Habits Count Food Program Training this year.

5-2-1-0 is a framework for children’s health that encourages 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, the 2 bite club (a way to encourage hesitant eaters to try new foods), 1 hour of physical activity daily and 0 sugar-sweetened beverages.

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We’re in the dog days of summer. Temps are high, days are long and children can get restless. But it’s still important to get those kiddos outside! In fact, eating meals outdoors or on-the-go is a great way to get outside and practice healthy meal planning all at once.

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Serving healthy food isn’t always easy or straightforward. One way to ensure you have access to fruits and vegetables is by growing your own! Plus - having a garden saves you money and grocery trips!

For example, even just one tomato plant can be super affordable—think $3 to $5—and provide up to 10 pounds of tomatoes over the season, which otherwise can easily run you $20 or more.

From seasoned gardeners to those just starting out, gardening is a positive activity that provides many benefits.

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On May 11, 2023, the U.S. Department of HHS (Health and Human Services) declared the COVID public health emergency over. This means that the recent flexibilities and waivers for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) are ending soon.

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As we enter spring, we’re reminded of the annoyance outdoor allergies can bring. But for people with food allergies, the annoyance becomes a potentially life-threatening concern that must be focused on every day, all year long. For child care providers specifically, food allergies are a consideration that require constant consideration.

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CACFP Week is a national education and information campaign sponsored by the National CACFP Sponsors Association. It kicks off Monday, March 13 and runs through the end of the week, concluding on Friday, March 17.

CACFP week is all about raising awareness of the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), highlighting how it works to combat hunger and providing helpful tools to help providers with healthy eating for the children in their care.

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From feeding the children, to licensing and continuing education, there are many variables to getting it right. PCI has a library of resources that support family child care programs and child care centers. Categories include meal patterns and creditable foods, allergies, shopping lists like creditable cereals and yogurts, recipes, CACFP forms and more.

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This year’s food program training is focused on adopting healthy habits. The early years of children’s lives are an important time to establish positive eating habits, along with other overall healthy habits such as brushing teeth, washing hands, etc. It is much easier to implement these routines earlier in life than fix them later!

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