Meal Pattern Minute: Serving Milk to Mixed Ages

Serving mixed age groups often means looking for simple solutions, especially at mealtime. When 1‑ and 2‑year‑olds are together, operators frequently ask whether unflavored low‑fat (1%) milk can be served to everyone or whether age still matters for crediting fluid milk in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).  

In this Meal Pattern Minute, Isabel Ramos‑Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, explains why milk requirements must be followed by age, even in mixed‑age settings, and clarifies what types of milk are allowed for 1‑ and 2‑year‑olds.

Transcript: The answer is no. Children who are one year old may only be served unflavored whole milk. Children 2 years and older may be served unflavored whole, reduced‑fat, low‑fat or fat‑free milk.  

Serving the correct type of milk for each age group is essential for both nutrition and reimbursement, especially in mixed‑age classrooms. Use the resources below to support compliant meal services and keep watching Meal Pattern Minute for answers to your CACFP meal pattern questions.  

• Final Rule: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs 
• Meal Pattern Minute Library
  • Explore short videos that answer common CACFP meal pattern questions.  
• Recommended Webinar : Milk in the CACFP ($) 
  • Milk is a star player in the CACFP meal pattern. It's required at breakfast, lunch and supper and may even make a guest appearance at snack. Learn which types of milk are allowed in CACFP, how much to serve, and when.  

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