CACFP Regulations and Guidance
Registered Dietitian Medical Statements
The USDA released a memorandum to clarify the updated regulatory requirement for program operators to accept medical statements from registered dietitians. The change requiring program operators to accept medical statements from registered dietitians must be implemented by July 1, 2025, for school meal programs and Oct. 1, 2025, for CACFP.
Read MoreUSDA Request for Information: CNP Tribal Pilot Project
On December 23, 2024, the USDA Food and Nutrition Service released a request for information (RFI) to inform their development of the Child Nutrition Programs Tribal Pilot Projects, as authorized in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024. The Act provided $2 million for Tribal Pilot Projects that will permit Indian Tribes and/or Tribal organizations to administer Child Nutrition Programs, assuming the roles and responsibilities typically held by State agencies.
Read MoreFeeding Infants in the CACFP: Updated Guidance
USDA updated previous guidance on Feeding Infants in the CACFP. Updates include information on medical statements, substituting vegetables for grains in specific groups, added sugar limits, and tofu and tempeh crediting.
Read MoreGrain Requirements in the CACFP Q&A
The USDA released a memorandum to provide updated guidance on the provisions of the 2024 final rule that apply to the grains requirements in the CACFP, which included adding a definition for whole grain-rich into CACFP regulations; changing product-based limits for breakfast cereals and yogurts from total sugars to added sugars; and updating guidance on substituting vegetables to meet the grains requirements for eligible program operators.
Read MoreDocumenting Processed Products
Back to Blog Back to Blog Documenting Processed Products November 7, 2024 The USDA released a memorandum to provide additional information and clarification on the state agency monitoring process regarding the: 1) Child nutrition (CN) label, 2) Watermarked CN label, and 3) manufacturer’s Product Formulation Statement (PFS). This memorandum also reflects updates to the CN…
Read MoreSubstituting Vegetables for Grains in Tribal Communities & Hawaii
CACFP and SFSP operators that primarily serve American Indian or Alaska Native participants can substitute ½ cup of any creditable vegetables or 1 cup of raw leafy greens for 1 oz eq of grains. Vegetables substituting as grains can be used to meet the whole grain-rich requirement in the CACFP. There is no limit to the number of times per week that vegetables may be substituted for the grains requirement.
Read MoreOffer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in CACFP
USDA released a memorandum that outlines the use of Offer Versus Serve (OVS) in the adult day care and at-risk afterschool settings, as well as the use of family style meals in the CACFP.
Read MoreMilk Substitutes Minor Updates: Units of Measurement and Medical Statements
USDA released a memo regarding minor milk substitute updates resulting from the Meal Pattern final rule in 2024. The memo clarifies that registered dieticians may sign medical statements for fluid milk substitutions. It also updates the units of measurement for Vitamins A and Vitamins D, however this does not change the actual amount of Vitamins A and D that is required.
Read MoreAudit Threshold RaisedÂ
The audit threshold for federal awards was raised from $750,000 to $1 million. This means that sponsoring organizations who receive less than $1 million in CACFP reimbursement annually are not required to have an annual audit.
Read MoreUSDA Request for Comment: Documentation Related to Meal Pattern Final Rule
USDA FNS is seeking input from CACFP and SFSP operators on the documentation requirement for operators serving primarily American Indian or Alaska Native children to show their eligibility for the menu planning option allowing them to serve vegetables to meet the grains requirement.
Read More