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.

Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Program

A final rule with comment period published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Administration (FNA), (formerly Food and Nutrition Service) expands the milk options available for reimbursable meals served through the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The effective date for these changes is June 8, 2026. Below is a copy of the final rule titled, Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs and the FNA policy implementation, SP08-2026, CACFP04-2026: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs.

CACFP 03 2026, 2026 Appropriations Act: Effect on Child Nutrition Programs 

CACFP 02 2026, Incorporating Local Beef into Child Nutrition Program Meals

CACFP 01 2026 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2026- Eat Real Food 

On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 (Guidelines).  These Guidelines place real food, defined as whole, nutrient-dense and naturally occurring, back at the center of our diets. Click here to find out more about the Guidelines and the New Pyramid.   Below is a copy of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service memorandum to Child Nutrition Program Regional Office and State Agency Directors: SP 02-2026, CACFP 01-2026, SFSP 01-2026: “Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025-2030 – Eat Real Food” and the Dietary Guidelines For Americans