Association for Child Development

20/10/2026

MI PROVIDERS: Reimbursements are being sent! For those signed up for direct deposit, funds should be deposited into your bank account within 24-48 hours depending on your banking institution.

PROVEEDORES DE MICHIGAN: ¡Reembolsos para todos los reclamos han sido mandados. Para aquellas personas que se registraron para depósito directo a su cuenta (direct deposit), los fondos habrán de ser depositados en su cuenta de banco en las próximas 24 a 48 horas dependiendo de su banco.

20/10/2026

Looking for some fun food? Here's a great recipe for Pizza Kebabs!

Pizza Kebab
Lunch/Supper Crediting for Ages 3-5
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serving Size: 1 kebab
Servings: 8
Components: Meats/Meat Alternates, Grains, Vegetables

Ingredients
4 oz eq turkey pepperoni*
8 (1 oz) mozzarella string cheese sticks
2 - 100% whole wheat pita bread
24 cherry tomatoes, halved
8 dull kebab sticks
1 cup marinara tomato sauce
16 fresh basil leaves (optional)
*Need CN Label or PFS to determine correct serving size for ounce equivalency

Directions
Cut string cheese into 4 pieces each.
Cut pita breads in half and then cut each half into 8 triangles.
On the kebab stick, alternate sliding on pepperoni, cheese piece, pita bread and half a cherry tomato. Repeat until kebab has 1/2 oz eq of turkey pepperoni, 4 pieces of cheese, 3 cherry tomatoes, and 4 pita triangles. Add two basil leaves to each kebab if desired. Continue this pattern for the other 7 kebabs.
Serve 1 kebab with a 1/8 cup of marinara tomato sauce for dipping!
One kebab provides 1/2 oz eq grains, 1 1/2 oz meat/meat alternate and 1/4 cup vegetable.

19/10/2026

Did you know there are six methods used to identify whole grain-rich products? Here's the first one in this CACFP Meal Pattern Minute!

There are six methods to determine if a food product is whole grain-rich. Here is the first method!

16/10/2026

CORRECTED! IMPORTANT TIP: Let's talk about beef ravioli. It's a great meal, BUT, unless you've got a CN label, it can only be claimed as grain for the pasta portion. NOT for a meat/meat alternate.
***Beef ravioli cannot be claimed as a meat/meat alternate (only grain for the pasta portion) if it is not CN label ravioli.***

15/10/2026

Why Cooking Temperatures Matter
Food may look cooked on the outside but still be unsafe inside. Harmful germs, such as Salmonella and E. coli, are killed only when food reaches a safe internal temperature. That is why using a food thermometer is so important.
Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures
Fruits and vegetables (for hot holding) 135 °F
Whole cuts of beef, pork, fish, and seafood 145 °F
Ground meat and egg dishes 155 °F
Poultry, casserole, mixed dishes, stuffed foods, and leftovers 165 °F

14/10/2026

GIVEAWAY!
Don't forget! Today is the Great Lakes Apple Crunch! Get ready to crunch those apples at noon!!
Post your pictures below and you will be entered in an ACD giveaway!
One winner will be picked at random on Friday, October 16!

13/10/2026

WEBINAR ALERT!
Snack Smart: Elevating Children’s Health with Nutritious Snacks
Tuesday, November 10, 2026
6:30-7:30 PM EST

Join ACD’s Registered Dietitian as we discuss the topic of snacks for children. This webinar will explain why healthy snacks are important for children’s growth and development, key nutrients to look for in a snack and how to comply with the 2 component rule for snacks in the CACFP.

Objectives:
1. Explain the benefits of snacks for children’s health
2. Identify key nutrients to look for when selecting a nutritious snack
3. Understand the 2 component rule for snacks in the CACFP

REGISTER NOW! https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/574938387297882710

13/10/2026

⭐Real Talk Tuesday!⭐
Family childcare providers wear about a hundred hats a day! You're educators, chefs, accountants, nurses, and everything in between! It's completely normal to hit a wall sometimes.
Real Talk Tuesdays will happen the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month so we can lean on each other.
Whether it's managing a new routine, finding time for paperwork, or dealing with picky eaters, drop it below! Let's support each other and brainstorm solutions together!
Fill in the blank in the comments. Something I wish we had is ___.

12/10/2026

ACD offices will be closed today in observance of the holiday.

08/10/2026

NEXT WEDNESDAY IS THE GREAT LAKES APPLE CRUNCH!
Date: Officially set for October 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m.
Goal: Help the Midwest reach 1 million simultaneous crunches.
Participants: K-12 schools, early care education sites, universities, and local communities.
Region: Includes Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Iowa.
Get those apples ready to crunch at noon!! Watch for details tomorrow on how to enter a giveaway for participating!