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FY 26 CACFP Week Rooted in Excellence Awards

CACFP Week 2026 Rooted in Excellence Awards



CACFP Week is right around the corner!  

This year we're highlighting how the CACFP is Stirring Up Goodness across the country with its positive impact and the people who make it happen, one meal at a time. To highlight the exceptional individuals and organizations you nominate, we'll use your submissions to put together a celebration packet, including social media-ready posts, program promotion, and more! All complete submissions will receive a Rooted in Excellence celebration packet.

Help "stir up goodness" during CACFP Week!
 By completing this application, you can...
  • Submit a nomination for a CACFP Rooted in Excellence Award
    • If you would like to nominate multiple individuals for awards, please submit one survey per nomination
  • Tell or show us what CACFP means to you and your participants
  • Upload photos of your favorite CACFP meals, recipes or activities to be used in a celebration packet
 
This question requires a valid email address.
After reviewing the award title and description, select the CACFP Rooted in Excellence Award category you would like to submit a nomination for.
If you would like to nominate multiple individuals or organizations, please complete one survey for each nomination.
  • Excellence in Foodservice
    • Nominate an individual who works directly in planning and preparing CACFP meals for participants.
    • Support your nomination with a description of this individual and their dedication to serving CACFP compliant meals to participants.
  • Excellence in Leadership
    • Nominate an individual (directors, site supervisors, nutrition staff and other decision makers) that have demonstrated excellent leadership to staff/teams who operate CACFP.
    • Support your nomination with a description of the individual and how they have shown excellent leadership in CACFP. 
  • Excellence in Nutrition Education
    • Nominate an organization or individual who has provided excellent CACFP staff trainings, or nutrition education to children and/or parents.
    • Support your nomination with presentation material, handouts, etc.
  • Excellence in Mealtime
    • Nominate an organization or individual who makes mealtime fun with themed meals or creative recipes that are CACFP compliant. 
    • Support your nomination with photos of meal service or plated meals.
  • Excellence in Menu Planning
    • Nominate an organization or individual who has demonstrated excellent CACFP menu planning with creativity, variety, or seasonality.
    • Support your nomination with menus and/or photos of meals, food labels or recipes.
  • Excellence in Innovation
    • Nominate an organization or individual who initiated expansion of CACFP operations with a fresh perspective, reaching additional eligible participants.
    • Support your nomination with a description of how the operation has changed/expanded and/or upload pictures of new sites/facilities. 
  • Excellence in Inclusion
    • Nominate an organization or an individual who has worked to provide special dietary accommodations, accommodate parent preferences within the CACFP meal pattern or provided culturally diverse CACFP compliant meals appropriate for the community served.
    • Support your nomination with recipes, photos of plated meals or menus.
  • Excellence in Oversight
    • Nominate a Sponsoring Organizations with multiple affiliated/unaffiliated sites or family day care homes that have shown excellence in management of the CACFP.
    • Support your nomination with a description of their demonstrated excellence. 
  • Excellence in Farm to CACFP
    • Nominate an organization or individual demonstrating excellence in Farm to CACFP practices, such as local food sourcing, gardening, food education, or community partnerships. 
    • Support your nomination with a description of the Farm to CACFP practices. Optional supporting materials may include menus or photos.  
*This question is required.
Please upload documentation to support the CACFP Rooted in Excellence Award Nomination (ex. menus, recipes, handouts, photos of plated meals, etc.).

Reminders: 
We would love to see photos, but please ensure that if identifiable children are pictured, photo release forms signed by families are included.
We'll use these photos and information to put together a celebration packet, including social media-ready posts, program promotion, and more!
Upload your favorite CACFP meal, standardized recipe, or activity here.
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