How can states develop efficient child nutrition technology systems?

Challenge

Child nutrition staff from across state agencies experience many of the same challenges in procuring technology vendors, creating efficiencies in their systems, and making their data more usable. The Child Nutrition Access and Accountability through Technology (CNAAT) National Training has returned as a biannual event that brings together federal, regional, and state child nutrition leaders with expertise in administration, systems, and procurement. The training may also include members of the child nutrition systems industry.

CNAAT allows state agency staff to share strategies and experiences to streamline and advance child nutrition systems across the country. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA’s) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) selected Westat—a company with deep food and nutrition program expertise, plus standout meeting planning capabilities—to plan and operate CNAAT.

Solutions

Westat successfully held the CNAAT 2024 National Training in Chicago, Illinois. The Westat team developed the training agenda, built a training website, coordinated sessions, developed a mobile application, and provided on-site support during the event.

Westat’s subject matter experts also presented training sessions on the topics of data visualization, 508-compliance, technical writing, and the future of accessibility and integrity in online school meal applications. Over 300 federal, regional, and state leaders—in addition to child nutrition system technology vendors—attended the 2024 training to showcase envelope-pushing technology solutions and ideas for future innovation.

Westat is coordinating the next in-person CNAAT training set for 2026. During years without an in-person CNAAT convening, Westat is coordinating a webinar series to continue training on child nutrition agencies’ systems.

Results

CNAAT participants apply what they learn to their state agency operations, ultimately improving the efficiency of the programs that serve 8.8 billion meals to students annually across the U.S.