Keynote Speaker: Senta Hester

Mrs. Senta Hester is the founder of Our Daily Bread CACFP and the heart behind the mission. For three decades, she has poured her passion into supporting children, educators, and the communities they serve. This conference is a celebration of the lasting impact of that work and the people and children it continues to uplift.

Senta’s life’s mission has always been clear: to ensure children are nourished and educators are supported. She is a constant source of encouragement, filling the cups of staff, educators, and partners alike through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Her legacy is rooted in service, faith, and a deep belief in the power of care, and her keynote reflects the very foundation on which Our Daily Bread CACFP was built.

Civil Rights Compliance in the CACFP
Elizabeth Looney

Explore the Conference Tracks 

Our full session schedule is coming soon. In the meantime, explore the topics that will be covered in each breakout track.

Nutrition Education 

• Strategies for supporting picky eaters 
• Building healthy habits in early childhood 
• Nutrition and brain development 
• Food allergies and safe meal service 
• Teaching nutrition through play and hands-on activities

Leadership and Administration 

• Licensing updates and compliance support 
• Record keeping and program organization 
• Financial management for child care programs 
• Building strong teams and staff morale 
• Professional growth and leadership skills

In the Classroom 

• Behavior guidance and classroom management 
• Supporting social-emotional development 
• Emergency preparedness and safety planning 
• Creating engaging learning environments

CACFP and Meal Program Excellence 

• CACFP meal pattern basics and updates 
• Whole grains, CN labels, and crediting foods 
• Menu planning made simple 
• Identifying and serving whole-grain rich foods 

Discounted Hotel Rates

Take advantage of our special pricing and reserve your stay at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center today!

Gravitate toward your next great adventure at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center. Situated in the heart of Nashville, our luxury hotel allows you to hit all the high notes of Music City both in the area and under our roof. Looking to make a splash? SoundWaves, an upscale water experience featuring 4 acres of combined indoor and outdoor water attractions is open to overnight package guests. Catch a show at Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium, then return to our 9 acres of lush indoor gardens and cascading waterfalls. We also offer a full-service spa for a more relaxing way to unwind. When it’s time to refuel, sip and savor in our stylish steak, Mexican, Italian and Japanese restaurants followed by a frozen yogurt or gelato dessert. When it’s time to conduct business, inspire new ideas when you take advantage of over 750,000 square feet of inspiring meeting space. Discover our impressive lineup of amenities when you reserve a getaway at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.

Calling all Presenters & Exhibitors!

Workshop Presenters

We invite you to be part of Our Daily Bread CACFP’s Annual Childcare Conference, celebrating 30 years of supporting educators across Tennessee and Kentucky. This year’s event will be held August 21–22, 2026 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and will bring together approximately 200 childcare professionals who share one common goal—enriching the lives of the children in our communities. 

As a multi-state CACFP sponsor, Our Daily Bread proudly supports over 22,650 children through 420 childcare centers and 168 family childcare homes across Tennessee and Kentucky. Our mission is to promote nutritious meals, healthy habits, and high-quality care that strengthens the future of our communities. 

Our conference provides meaningful, hands-on training through a variety of engaging workshops designed specifically for childcare professionals. We are seeking passionate presenters with relevant, practical, and inspiring content. Each breakout session lasts approximately one hour, with the option to host multiple sessions. 

The event is widely promoted across our social media platforms, email networks, and printed materials to reach childcare professionals throughout the region. These efforts help create strong attendance and meaningful engagement for presenters and vendors alike. 

Your success is our success. We look forward to reviewing your application and hope you will join us for this impactful and celebratory event. 

Providing Food or Drink Samples?
Gaylord Opryland does charge a corkage fee for vendors that plan to hand out food or drink samples. The corkage fees are as follows:

Sample Size: $1/item
Full Size: $3/item

Examples of full sized items would be: cans of soda, full size candy bars, or any other food or beverage item that would be sold in the hotel.

*Certified Training Hours are only valid for child care sites operating in the states of Tennessee and Kentucky.