CACFP #1-2017: Consolidation of Recent USDA Memos Relating to Meal Pattern Compliance

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

USDA has released several memos regarding changes in the meal pattern and information on the final rule over the last few months for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The purpose of this State Agency Memo is to inform all participants of these USDA memos and highlight major changes and recommendations. This information pertains to all participants and sponsors but may not be applicable to all. Please read through the memo in its entirety. We highly recommend clicking through to read each of the USDA memos in their entirety as well. If you have any questions please reach out to myself or your designated program specialist.

CACFP 17-2016: Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk and Substitutions with Q&As
This memorandum explains the nutrition requirements for fluid milk and fluid milk substitutes in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and includes questions and answers. This memorandum supersedes CACFP 21-2011-REVISED Child Nutrition Reauthorization 2010: Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, Questions and Answers, September 15, 2011.

CACFP 20-2016: Water Availability in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
This memorandum provides guidance on how to offer and make water available to children participating in the CACFP through the updated meal pattern final rule. The final rule also expanded the water requirement to mandate that starting October 1, 2017, child care centers and day care homes must also offer water to children throughout the day. FNS added the additional requirement to offer water in recognition that the majority of the CACFP participants are very young children and may not be able to or know how to request it themselves. These requirements to make water available and offer water throughout the day do not apply to adult day care centers; however, adult day care centers are encouraged to ensure drinking water is offered and made available to adult participants throughout the day.

CACFP 21-2016: Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
The memorandum explains how to credit tofu and soy yogurt in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, which supersedes SP 16-2012 Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products, February 22, 2012. Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) were provided the option to offer commercially prepared tofu as a meat alternate on July 1, 2012. This same option is being extended to centers and day care homes participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), beginning October 1, 2017. The ability to offer as a meat alternate allows meal providers in the School Meal Programs and CACFP to further diversify their menus and better meet the dietary needs of vegetarians and culturally diverse groups.

CACFP 23-2016: Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Questions and Answers
This memorandum outlines infant feeding requirements in the CACFP and explains the updated infant meal pattern requirements established in the final rule, including when solid foods must be served. The purpose of this memorandum is to provide guidance on feeding infants and the infant meal pattern requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and includes Questions and Answers. This memorandum supersedes CACFP 14-2015 (v.2) Infant Feeding in the CACFP- Revised.

CACFP 25-2016: Vegetable and Fruit Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Questions and Answers
This memorandum explains the vegetable and fruit requirements established in the final rule, including the requirements in the infant meal patterns and the child and adult meal patterns. CACFP centers and day care homes must comply with these requirements no later than October 1, 2017. Meals that meet the current CACFP meal pattern requirements may not be disallowed until the updated meal pattern requirements take effect on October 1, 2017.

CACFP 01-2017: Grain Requirements in the Child and Adult Care Food Program; Questions and Answers
This memorandum explains the grain requirements established in the final rule, including information on whole grain-rich foods, grain-based desserts and the breakfast cereal sugar limit. CACFP centers and day care homes must comply with these updated meal patterns, including these grain requirements, no later than October 1, 2017. The final rule also requires that grains be credited using ounce equivalents instead of “servings,” as credited under the current meal pattern requirements. In recognizing that this requires a significant operational change for CACFP centers and day care homes, FNS is delaying the implementation of ounce equivalents until October 1, 2019. FNS will issue additional guidance on ounce equivalents in the future.