Meal Pattern Minute: Offer Versus Serve

Looking for a way to offer more choice at mealtime while still meeting Child and Adult Care Food Program requirements? You may have heard about Offer Versus Serve (OVS). Before you jump in, it’s important to know where and how it can be used. OVS is a flexible meal service option that can help reduce food waste and give participants more control over what they eat. But it’s not available in every CACFP setting, and it comes with specific rules depending on the meal and the site type. 

Tune in to Isabel Ramos-Lebron,MS, RDN, LD, as she explains what Offer Versus Serve is, where it’s allowed, and how it can support your program’s goals.  

Transcript and answer provided below. 

Offer versus serve or also known as OVS is another way to serve meals in CACFP. However, it is only allowed in adult day care centers and at-risk afterschool programs. This type of meal service lets participants choose at least three different food items they prefer to eat at breakfast, and choose at least three meal components for lunch and supper, this helps reduce food waste and allow for menu variety. OVS cannot be used when serving snacks. 

Interesting in learning more about OVS? Review the resources provided below to help you become more knowledgeable about this optional type of meal service. 

• Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (Memo: CACFP 02-2025)
  • This memorandum outlines the use of OVS in at-risk afterschool programs and adult day care settings. It also includes two attachments with frequently asked questions for CACFP operators. 
•  Offer Versus Serve in the CACFP 
  • A quick guide on what foods must be served and what foods the participant must take for breakfast, lunch and supper. 
• Webinar-CACFP Halftime: Offer Versus Serve in CACFP (FREE) 
  • This webinar focuses on how to use Offer Versus Serve meal service, which is available and optional for sites that serve at-risk afterschool and adult participants in the CACFP only.  Presented by USDA FNS Team Nutrition. 

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