Updated Child and Adult Food Program Guidelines (CACFP) 2017
USDA recently revised the CACFP meal patterns to ensure children and adults have access to well balanced and nutritious meals. The USDA has made several guideline changes including reducing: the amount of sugar, and saturated fat content of meals. Also, meals are required to have a greater variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as increased whole grain content. CACFP centers and adult day care homes must comply with the updated meal patterns by October 1st, 2017. Registered Dietitian Nutritionists must review CACFP centers to ensure they are meeting the USDA guidelines.
Updated Child and Adult Meal (CACFP) Meal Patterns
Greater Variety of Vegetables and Fruits
The combined fruit and vegetable component is now a separate vegetable component and a separate fruit component
Juice is limited to once per day.
More Whole Grains
At least one serving of grains per day must be whole grain-rich;
Grain-based desserts no longer count towards the grain component
Ounce equivalents (oz eq) are used to determine the amount of creditable grains (starting October 1, 2019).
More Protein Options
Meat and meat alternates may be served in place of the entire grains component at breakfast a maximum of three times per week
Tofu counts as a meat alternate.
Age Appropriate Meals
A new age group to address the needs of older children 13 through 18 years old.
Less Added Sugar
Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of sugar per 6 ounces
Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce
Making Every Sip Count
Unflavored whole milk must be served to 1 year olds; unflavored low-fat or fat-free milk must be served to children 2 through 5 years old; and unflavored low-fat, unflavored fat-free, or flavored fat-free milk must be served to children 6 years old and older and adults;
Non-dairy milk substitutes that are nutritionally equivalent to milk may be served in place of milk to children or adults with medical or special dietary needs; and
Yogurt may be served in place of milk once per day for adults only.
Additional Improvements
Extends offer versus serve to at-risk after school programs
Frying is not allowed as a way of preparing foods on-site.
RD Nutrition Consultants LLC, specializes in providing Registered Dietitian Nutritionist consulting services for child and adult daycare centers nationwide.
Resources: https://www.fns.usda.gov/
