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Meal Pattern Minute

Looking for quick tips on some of the CACFP's hottest topics? Our nutrition education specialist, Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, is here to help! Be sure to follow us on Instagram or on Facebook for more tips, recipes and resources!

Meal Pattern Minute: Pumpkin Pie

Can pumpkin pie fit into the meal pattern? You might be surprised to learn the answer!

Meal Pattern Minute: Chestnuts

How do chestnuts fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

Meal Pattern Minute: Sugar Limits in Yogurt

What do you need to know about sugar limits in yogurt?

Meal Pattern Minute: Deli Meats

What documentation is needed to serve deli meats in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Full-Strength Juice and Infants

Is full-strength juice creditable in the Infant Meal Pattern?

Meal Pattern Minute: Plant-Based Meat Alternates

How do you know what plant-based foods can be credited as a meat/meat alternate?

Meal Pattern Minute: Minimum Serving of Dried Fruits

If dried fruits credit for twice the volume of the fruit component, does that mean that the minimum serving is 1 tablespoon instead of 2 tablespoons?

Meal Pattern Minute: Veggie Straws

Veggie straws are made using vegetables, but do they credit in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: One Year of Tips

Let’s reflect on 52 episodes of our Meal Pattern Minutes.

Meal Pattern Minute: Sodium Limits

There are sugar limits for breakfast cereals and yogurt. Do any foods have sodium limits?

Meal Pattern Minute: Cereals and Grain-Based Desserts

Can breakfast cereals ever be considered a grain-based dessert?

Meal Pattern Minute: Serving Juice and Milk

Full-strength juice can be served once per day in place of the fruit component, but can juice be served with milk for snack?

Meal Pattern Minute: Maximum Serving Sizes

The CACFP has minimum serving sizes for reimbursement – are there maximum serving sizes?

Meal Pattern Minute: Healthy Cooking Methods

What are some ways to prepare healthy and flavorful dishes for the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Breastfeeding

How and when can breastmilk be used in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Product Formulation Statements

What is a PFS and when do you need one in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Whole Grain-Rich and CN Labels

Identifying whole-grain rich items can be done through looking at the CN Label. Here’s how!

Meal Pattern Minute: CN Labels

What is a CN Label and how can you use it in the CACFP?