National CACFP Association opens 2027 conference speaker call

The National CACFP Association is seeking presentation proposals for its 41st National Child Nutrition Conference, set for March 29-April 2, 2027, in Chicago. The call for speakers comes as the organization looks to shape training and peer learning for child nutrition professionals across CACFP, SFSP and Afterschool Meals.

Why it matters: - The National Child Nutrition Conference is a key annual training event for child nutrition professionals. - Presentation proposals will help shape programming for workers in CACFP, the Summer Food Service Program and Afterschool Meals. - The conference is positioned as a national forum for sharing practical ideas, research and tools that can affect nutrition access in care settings.

What happened: - The National CACFP Association opened the call for presentations for the 41st National Child Nutrition Conference. - The conference will take place March 29-April 2, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. - The event will bring together thousands of child nutrition professionals for training, networking and professional development. - Presenters can submit proposals at presenter information. - The deadline for priority consideration is Aug. 14, 2026. - Proposals will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is filled.

The details: - The conference theme is “Fresh Ideas, Shared Purpose.” - NCA is especially encouraging proposals that offer new approaches to common challenges, highlight what is working in the field or spark discussion across the child nutrition community. - Eligible presenters include professionals working in CACFP, SFSP and Afterschool Meals. - The audience includes sponsoring organizations, child care providers, child and adult care center staff, state agencies and nonprofit organizations. - Workshops are one-hour sessions on nutrition, program operations, financial management and related topics. - Workshops will make up most of the conference programming. - Speed sessions are 30-minute presentations without Q&A for focused topics. - Shop talks are 30-minute facilitated small-group discussions focused on peer conversation and shared problem-solving. - Academies are multi-hour classroom sessions offered as three-hour preconference sessions or two-hour postconference sessions.

Between the lines: - The proposal call suggests NCA is looking for practical, field-tested content rather than abstract theory. - The mix of session formats gives presenters multiple ways to tailor content to different levels of depth and interaction. - Chicago will serve as the hub for the association’s largest annual gathering, reinforcing the event’s role as a national convening point. - Since 1986, NCA has supported the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program community and says its broader goal is improving nutrition access for families.

What’s next: - NCA will continue reviewing proposals until conference programming is complete. - Selected presenters will help define the agenda for NCNC27 and the kinds of training attendees receive in Chicago. - Interested speakers can also follow the association on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.