Healthier CACFP Meal Standards
On Monday, April 25, 2016 USDA issued the new healthier meal pattern and nutrition standards for the Child and Adult Care Food Program and related programs. The new meal pattern and nutrition standards take effect October 1, 2017 and apply to all components of the Child and Adult Care Food Program including Head Start, child care centers, child care homes, afterschool programs, emergency shelters and adult day care; and also school meal programs in school-based PreK.
Young children and adults in day care will receive meals with more whole grains, a greater variety of vegetables and fruits, and less added sugars and solid fats. The science-based standards introduced in this final rule will elevate the nutritional quality of meals and snacks provided under the CACFP to better align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and to be consistent with the meals children receive as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP).
Click here for a summary of the changes for meals served to children ages 1 and above and for adult meals.
Click here for summary of the changes for infant meals.
