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Substituting 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.

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Whole Grains Month

September is Whole Grains Month. From whole wheat to nutty quinoa, whole grains add flavor, texture, and nutrition to your diet. Whether you’re baking bread, cooking dinner, or prepping snacks, there’s a whole grain option for every dish. Our partners at Oldways Whole Grains Council have materials to help you incorporate whole grains into your menu.

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Celebrating with Creditable Grains

December is a month full of holiday celebrations, such as Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and more. It is also a great time to model healthy habits by showing different ways to celebrate. We traditionally think grain-based desserts like brownies, cakes, and cookies are essential during festivities. However, several healthy grain options can be included as part of a meal or snack.

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Nutrition Facts Labels and the CACFP

The Nutrition Facts label on food packages provides helpful information. It is a great tool to use when planning menus to determine creditable foods. Our partners at the Institute of Child nutrition created a resource focused on how to use the Nutrition Facts label to credit certain foods in the CACFP.

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