Overview

CACFP  | Program Guidance | Forms for Centers | Forms for Homes 
Operational Memos | Resources

Meals and snacks served to children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) must comply with the CACFP meal patterns. The new CACFP meal patterns for children began on October 1, 2017, as required by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) final rule, Child and Adult Care Food Program: Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.  Effective October 1, 2021, the required amounts for the grains component change to the ounce equivalents in Grain Ounce Equivalents for the CACFP.

The final rule requires more whole grains and a greater variety of vegetables and fruits, and reduces the amount of added sugars and solid fats in CACFP meals. It also better aligns the CACFP with other Child Nutrition Programs.

The CACFP meal patterns for children apply to: 

• children ages 1-12; 
• children through age 18 in at-risk afterschool care centers and emergency shelters; 
• children of any age with disabilities; and 
• children ages 15 and younger of migrant workers. 

For information on the meal patterns for infants from birth through 11 months, visit the CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage.

CACFP Meal Patterns for Children (Through September 30, 2021)

• CACFP Meal Patterns for Children (CSDE)
• CACFP Meal Pattern Posters (USDA)
• CSDE Guide: Meal Pattern Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
• Grain Serving Sizes
  • Through September 30, 2021: Grain Servings for the CACFP
  • Effective October 1, 2021: Grain Ounce Equivalents for the CACFP
• Noncreditable Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs (CSDE)
• Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks  (USDA)
• Resources for the CACFP Meal Patterns (CSDE): Resources and websites to assist sponsors with meeting the CACFP meal pattern and crediting requirements
• Updated CACFP Meal Patterns: Child and Adult Meals (USDA)
• Updated CACFP Meal Patterns: Child and Adult Meals Spanish (USDA
  • Patrón de comidas actualizado del programa de comidas para niños y adultos: Comidas para niños y adultos

Meal Pattern Guidance

• Crediting Foods (Related Resources section)
• Meal Service (Related Resources section)
• Menu Forms (Documents/Forms section)
• Menu Planning (Related Resources section)
• Production Records (Documents/Forms section)
• Sample Menus (Documents/Forms section)
• USDA Memo CACFP 08-17: Questions and Answers on the Updated Meal Pattern Requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Go to the Documents/Forms section in the left navigation bar to access menu forms, production records, and sample menus for CACFP child care programs. Go to the Related Resources section in the left navigation bar to access information on crediting foods, menu planning, and meal service for CACFP child care programs.