Compliance
Indicator

The program provides meals that are nutritious and are culturally and developmentally appropriate for the children in attendance and shall meet the nutritional requirements specified by the federal Child and Adult Care Food Program or the USDA Child Nutrition Programs

Regulations/Reference

EED Program Instrument: III. Program Quality EED 14
Education Code: 8203, 8204, & 8207
Title 5: 17708

Monitoring Review Evidence

• Current Month Menu

• List of Any Children with Food Allergies

Claims for Reimbursement

Meal Patterns

Other Resources

Food Service Methods

Only two food service methods are approved by the food program for children 1-12 years of age, pre-plated & family style.

Pre-Plated

For pre-plated meals, at least the minimum portions of each meal component based on age group is prepared on a plate & then given to each child.

• Appropriate for very young children & any others who are unable to serve themselves

• Minimum portion for each child must be served on each plate (minimum portion based on meal pattern listed below)

Family Style

Family Style is the preferred method of food service for children ages 1 through12.

Benefits:

• More relaxed environment

• Teaches social skills & meal time etiquette

• Helps children develop fine motor skills

• Provides positive peer pressure to try new foods

• Promotes sharing in group eating situations

• Allows slow introduction of new foods, tastes & textures

Reminders:

• Don’t force children to eat

• Recognize positive behaviors, not eating

• Food should not be rewards or punishments

• Use child-sized containers and utensils

Requirements:

• Serving platter must contain adequate amount of each meal component for each child

• Children must be allowed to serve themselves

• Difficult items may be served by the supervising adult

• Children must be at the table, but may serve themselves less than the minimum portion or may refuse food completely

Meal Patterns

Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) outlines the meal pattern requirements. In order to receive reimbursement, programs must follow the specific meal requirements.

Breakfast

For breakfast, 3 components must be offered:

1. Milk

2. Veggie or Fruit or Portion of both

3. Grains

NOTE: Meat or meat alternate may be served in place of the entire grain component a maximum of 3 times per week

Lunch or Dinner

For lunch or dinner, 5 components must be offered:

1. Milk

2. Veggies

3. Fruit

4. Grains

5. Meat/Meat Alternative

NOTE: Fruit & veggies are listed as separate components; however 2 different types veggies may be served, instead of a vegetable & a fruit

Snack

For snack, select 2 of the 5 components:

• Milk

• Veggies

• Fruit

• Grains

• Meat/Meat Alternative

NOTE: Only 1 of the items may be a beverage

Special Rules/Limitations

To ensure nutritious meals are being served, there are rules or limitations that apply to the type of beverage or food item being served within the meal components.

Milk

Only milk from a hoofed mammal are recognized as milk by the CACFP.

Non-dairy milk alternatives are non-reimbursable unless the parents have provided a signed medical statement or a Parental Request for Fluid Milk Substitution form & a nutritionally equivalent alternative is available.

Each age group must be served the appropriate serving size AND type of milk. 

Fruits & Veggies

Programs are required to incorporate fruits & vegetables into all meals & snacks.

Pasteurized full-strength juice may only be used to meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at one meal, including snack, per day.

Meats & Meat Alternates

Eggs

• Whole egg must be served

• Serving size is dependent upon age

Yogurt

• Served only once daily

• Pay attention to serving sizes & “sugars” or “added sugars”

• NOT more than 23 grams of sugar per 6 ounce serving

Cheese

• Many varieties available

• No “cheese foods” or “cheese products”

Grains

Within the grain component, cereals may served to children as part of a meal or snack; however in order to be considered reimbursable, cereals must not contain more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce

NOTE: An easy way to determine if the cereal is acceptable is to use WIC approved cereals

Modifications

Sometimes children have disabilities, allergies, or conditions that prevent them from being able to consume a particular food item, such as whole milk.

Medical Statements

Medical Statement is only required when modifications do not meet the meal pattern requirements

Medical Statement is required when a meal modification calls for serving a specific food or an entire meal that does not meet the meal pattern requirements

A medical statement should include two key features:

1. Information describing child’s disability & how it affects their diet

2. Alternative milk or food

Review Medical Statements carefully & keep on file

Ensure the posted food allergy alert is current & staff are very familiar with children who have milk or food allergies

Other Resources

Access many CACFP trainings & resources available on the Institute of Child Nutrition’s website located at theicn.org

After reviewing the video lesson & sketch pad notes, it’s time to check for understanding by completing a Knowledge Check. Note that Individual Knowledge Checks will conclude with a Certificate.

Individual Knowledge Check (ProProfs) >

Group Knowledge Check (Kahoot!) >