Meal Patterns and Menu Planning
Contact Information
Use the resources below to discover the components of the nutritious, well-balanced, and age-appropriate meals served. Please review the CACFP Record Keeping Requirements Reference Sheet for information on document retention.
Children
- Child Meal Pattern Chart
- Child Meal Requirements Reference Sheet
- Meal Pattern Reference Guide - Children
Infants
- Infant Meal Pattern Chart
- Infant Meal Requirement Reference Sheet
- Infant Meals Recordkeeping Reference Sheet
- Infant Meals Special Dietary Needs Reference Sheet
Adults
Other Resources
-
U.S. Department of Agriculture
- USDA Crediting Handbook - Updated March 2020
- CACFP Meal Service Styles Reference Sheet
- Product Documentation Reference Sheet
- Food Buying Guide
- Food Buying Guide Calculator
- Infant Crediting Guide
-
Dairy Requirements
- Grain Requirements
- CACFP Grain Requirements Reference Sheet
- CACFP Grain Requirements- Enriched and Fortified Grains Reference Sheet
- CACFP Grain Requirements- Whole Grain-Rich Reference Sheet
- Whole and Enriched Grains CACFP Reference Sheet
- Rule of Three Reference Sheet
- Grain-Based Desserts Reference Sheet
- Cereals and Ounce Equivalents Reference Sheet
- Calculating Grains Contribution from Recipes Worksheet
- USDA's Exhibit A Handout
- USDA - All About the Grains Group (information on ounce equivalents)
- USDA - Grains References
- Product Formulation Statement Templates
Resources
- Request for Fluid Milk Substitution
- Request for Special Dietary Accommodations
- Special Dietary Needs Reference Sheet
- OSPI CACFP Approved Non-Dairy Beverages
- USDA Food Safety Resources
- Center for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs
- Washington State Department of Health
- The Institute of Child Nutrition- Food Safety in Child Care