Meal Pattern Minute: Crediting Fluid Milk

Fluid milk is one of the most frequently questioned meal components in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal pattern. Operators often wonder: How exactly is milk credited? Does pouring it over cereal count? What about milk in recipes? Understanding the rules ensures compliance and helps you confidently build reimbursable meals for all age groups you serve. 

Catch Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN,LD, in the latest Meal Pattern Minute where she explains exactly how and when fluid milk credits in the CACFP. 

Transcript: Fluid milk in the CACFP is measured by volume and credited based on the amount served. Milk must be served as a beverage. For example, you can serve milk as is, pour it over cereal or you can add milk into a smoothie. However, you cannot credit as fluid milk when mixed into food such as a macaroni and cheese dish. In addition, milk must meet the fat content and flavoring requirements for each age group you serve. Always follow the USDA CACFP guidelines to make sure the milk served is creditable. 

Use these tools to make sure when you’re serving fluid milk, it meets USDA requirements: 

• USDA Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions in the CACFP, Questions and Answers (Memo code: CACFP 01-2025)
  • Clear guidance on fat content, flavoring, and serving sizes by age group.  
• USDA Crediting Fluid Milk in the CACFP Tip Sheet 
  • The document provides a concise tip sheet explaining how fluid milk can be properly credited as a required meal component in Child Nutrition Programs including CACFP. 
  • Crediting Handbook for the CACFP 
    Explains how foods, including milk, are credited across all meal components.
• CACFP Milk Guidelines (Member Only Resource) 
  • Outlines the types of milk and allowable substitutions that must be served to participants of different age groups to meet USDA meal pattern requirements. 
• Meal Pattern Minute Library
  • Revisit other past episodes about fluid milk and keep your meal pattern skills sharp.
    https://www.cacfp.org/events/meal-pattern-minute/ 
• Webinars 
  • Serving Milk in the CACFP (Free) 
    • This webinar walks the audience through Team Nutrition's “Serving Milk in the CACFP" training worksheet and lets audience select milk for various age groups to meet meal pattern requirements. 
  • Milk in the CACFP ($) 
    • Milk is a star player in the CACFP meal pattern. It is required at breakfast, lunch and supper, and may even make a guest appearance at snack. This nutrient-rich beverage provides essential nutrients that support healthy growth and development in children.

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