• Have access to sufficient nutritious foods;
• Receive consistent, positive messages by caregivers knowledgeable in good nutrition practices;
• Have a nurturing and supportive environment that provides for an enjoyable mealtime experience; and
• Have a variety of healthy foods that reflect cultural and family values and allow for individual choices.

The Child Care Food Program Roundtable was established in 1977 (prior to the addition of the “& Adult” component in 1987) to give California sponsors a voice. Since then the Roundtable has become an influential voice nationally for the Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Working collaboratively with the California Department of Education, Nutrition Services Division (NSD), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the National CACFP Forum, the California Food Policy Advocates (CFPA), the Child Care Resource and Referral (R & R) Network and other regional and national program and children’s advocates, the Roundtable constantly seeks to improve program integrity and quality, as well as provide a voice for program sponsors, providers, parents and, most importantly, the children.

In 2004-05, 928 CACFP sponsors in California served 324,000 children per day at 24,759 family child care homes and over 5,600 child care centers. The Roundtable brings this vast resource together into a statewide network of program sponsors, and state and federal administrators. The Roundtable meets bimonthly with USDA, NSD and sponsor members to provide training, discuss issues, regulations and program operations, and share technology and other resources to enhance program operations.

Our Advisory Committee, which includes active board members, members-at-large and key advisors from CFPA and NSD, meets six times per year to identify issues and trends, do strategic planning, set agendas for the meetings, discuss and respond to key issues affecting the CACFP in California, and plan the annual conference.

Since 1992, the Roundtable has sponsored a highly successful fall CACFP Conference which attracts approximately 400 participants from throughout the country. It is recognized as one of the best training resources available for CACFP centers and home sponsors. See our Conference page to get information on the next one.

Join us and be a part of:

• Effecting positive change in both the CACFP and the health of our children;
• Establishing nutrition & program integrity in the CACFP;
• Working for program improvements through legislation;
• Marketing the importance of the CACFP to the public; and
• Advocating the importance of nutrition education at a young age.