Welcome to the Summer 2026 edition of ROOTS Roundup! In this newsletter you will read about what is happening at ANFP Headquarters, updates from Craig Brightup; ANFP’s Washington DC representative, and valuable information you can share with your state chapter and leaders.
Representative Jen Kiggans (R-VA) was selected to receive ANFP’s Public Policy Leadership Award for 2026. For several years Rep. Kiggans has saluted National CDM, CFPP Day in the Congressional Record based on her background as a geriatric nurse practitioner in Virgina long-term care facilities.
Prior to her tenure in Congress, Kiggans worked in the Virginia State Senate to advocate for patients, families, and caregivers in long-term care facilities, and she belongs to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, Virginia Geriatrics Society, and American Nurses Association. View Kiggans’s remarks HERE.
A major milestone is on the horizon! This November, ANFP will celebrate National CDM, CFPP Day alongside the 10th anniversary of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) formally recognizing the CDM, CFPP credential through federal regulations. This landmark recognition established the CDM, CFPP credential as the primary qualification for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services role in long-term care settings when a full-time dietitian is not employed, underscoring the vital contributions of Certified Dietary Managers, Certified Food Protection Professionals to the foodservice management profession.
To mark this special occasion, ANFP is planning exciting celebrations and opportunities to recognize the dedicated professionals who have helped shape the industry's success over the past decade. Stay tuned—you won't want to miss what's ahead!
Reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) remains a priority for the Jobs and Careers Coalition (JCC), of which ANFP is a member. A bipartisan reauthorization bill came close to passage in December 2024. On October 22, 2025, ANFP Washington Representative Craig Brightup met with Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who expressed interest in making WIOA more user-friendly for organizations like ANFP. Foxx shared that WIOA reauthorization efforts are currently on hold pending additional input from the White House.
In the meantime, the current WIOA legislation remains in effect and continues to provide opportunities for individuals pursuing the CDM, CFPP credential through American Job Centers nationwide. Individuals who qualify for a WIOA voucher may select career training courses from a center’s Eligible Training Provider List.
ANFP-PAC is the association’s federally registered political action committee (PAC) which is funded by personal donations from ANFP members in order to make contributions to candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. Based on its most recent report filed with the Federal Election Commission, ANFP-PAC has $10,455.52 cash-on-hand. ANFP-PAC’s goal is to have $10,000-$15,000 cash-on-hand for the 2026 election cycle. ANFP members can donate by clicking HERE.