Meal Pattern Minute: Vegetable Spirals

Vegetables are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber that support healthy growth in children and overall wellness for adults. In the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), they are one of the five required meal components—but sometimes getting participants excited about eating their veggies can be a challenge! 

One creative and trendy way to serve vegetables is to use vegetable spirals—a fun, eye-catching twist on traditional veggie prep. Whether it's zucchini noodles, curly carrot ribbons, or swirled sweet potatoes, these spiraled veggies can make mealtimes more engaging and enjoyable for everyone. But the big question is—are vegetable spirals creditable in the CACFP?  

Find out by listening to this Meal Pattern Minute as Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, explains how vegetable spirals may or may not be creditable in the CACFP. Read the answer below or listen to the video by clicking the Meal Pattern Minute video. 

 he answer is yes! Vegetable spirals are creditable in the CACFP. A vegetable spiral is a long, curly strip of vegetable such as carrots or zucchini that are made to look like noodles. It is made by peeling or cutting the vegetable into thin, twisty shapes. Vegetable spirals are a great addition to salads, soups and pasta dishes. 

For resources on types of vegetables that creditable in the CACFP refer to the links below. 

• The Crediting Handbook for the CACFP 
  • Using Control + F in this resource, search for “Vegetable Spirals”. If vegetable spirals come from fresh vegetables like carrot or squash, they are creditable in the CACFP. It is creditable towards the vegetables component based on the volume served. 
• USDA Crediting Vegetables in the Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheet 
  • This resource provides a summary of how vegetables credit in the CACFP and the regulations when serving vegetables. 
• Other ideas on how to incorporate vegetable spirals to your menu is by making a vegetable stir fry with spiraled carrots or sautéing spiraled zucchini (zoodles).  

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