Child and Adult Care Food Program

TO: ALL ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE CACFP IN INDIANA

USDA is pleased to announce the solicitation of nominations for the CACFP 2004 Building for the Future Awards. As in the past, the Awards will continue to recognize outstanding State agency and sponsoring organization practices that go beyond basic regulatory requirements leading to highly efficient, effective and accessible nutrition programs. Winners will be announced at the biennial conference of the CACFP National Professional Association in Madison, Wisconsin in April of 2004. In addition, winners may be asked to participate in panel discussions during the conference or make a presentation about their program.

USDA expects to make one State agency award and one sponsoring organization award in each category listed below. Each application must address one of the following areas
(for applicants who wish to be considered for more than one area, multiple applications may be submitted):

A. Enhancing Program Efficiency Through Technology
B. Innovative Training and Technical Assistance
C. Outreach and Community Partnerships
D. Program Integrity
E. Nutrition Education and Promotion

State agencies and sponsoring organizations may nominate themselves, State agencies may nominate sponsoring organizations, or the regional office may nominate State agencies. State agencies and regional offices must certify in writing that nominees are in compliance with Program regulations. The application, entry form with complete instructions, and an explanation of the evaluation criteria are enclosed.

We appreciate your assistance and encourage you to apply and to promote this competition among all CACFP organizations in Indiana. All nominations must be sent to the State Agency and must be received by February 4, 2004. The nominations will then be forward to the regional office and are due to Headquarters by February 20, 2004.

Please contact Carol Markle, Sponsor Support Coordinator, at 317-232-0850 or 800-537-1142, if you have questions regarding this competition.