Meal Pattern Minute: Purchasing Milk Directly from a Farm

Thinking about sourcing cow’s milk straight from a local farm for your Child Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)? It’s a great way to support local agriculture and offer fresh ingredients but before you make the switch, there are a few important things to consider. Not all milk is creditable in the CACFP, even if it comes from a trusted local source. There are specific requirements that must be met to ensure the milk is safe and nutritious for participants. So how do you know if farm-fresh milk makes the cut? 

Listen to Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, in this Meal Pattern Minute as she talks about what makes cow’s milk creditable in the CACFP and what to check before purchasing it. Transcript to this Meal Pattern Minute can be found below.  

The answer is that it depends. If the cow’s milk is pasteurized, meets the State and local health standards and is fortified with vitamin A and D, then yes, it is creditable in the CACFP. However, if cow's milk does not meet these criteria, then the cow’s milk would not be creditable in the CACFP. 

Get more information on purchasing and crediting milk in the CACFP by reviewing these resources. 

• Crediting Handbook for the CACFP
  • A USDA resource to help CACFP operators understand which foods meet CACFP requirements. This includes common questions like purchasing milk from local farms. 
  • Can milk be purchased directly from a farm? Yes, as long as it is pasteurized fluid milk that meets State and local health standards. It must also include vitamins A and D and other nutrients at levels consistent with State and local standards. 
• Procuring Local Foods for the Child Nutrition Program
  • The resources on this page will help CACFP operators buy local. Many of the resources speak to K-12 school program operators. However, the information still applies to child care providers and summer feeding sites. 
• USDA Crediting Fluid Milk in the Child Nutrition Programs Tip Sheet  
  • A quick-reference guide designed to help CACFP operators understand how fluid milk fits into meal patterns across different age groups and meal services. It breaks down the requirements in a clear, easy-to-follow format so you can feel confident about what you’re pouring. 

Support local sourcing by joining the National CACFP Association national education campaign, Farm to CACFP Week in October! The campaign aims to raise awareness of the benefits of connecting child and adult care sponsors and operators with local foods. Through local food procurement, gardening activities and agriculture education, Farm to CACFP leverages CACFP funding to help incorporate local foods into the nutritious CACFP meal pattern thus strengthening community food systems and supporting positive health outcomes for those in care.  To learn more visit www.cacfp.org/farmtocacfpweek. 

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