Meal Pattern Minute: Creditable Meal Components
January 30, 2026
When you're planning meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), it's not just about choosing foods that taste great, it’s about choosing foods that credits. But how can you tell which foods are creditable and which aren’t? And what does it really mean for a food to be considered a “creditable meal component”?
Tune in to Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, as she explains what makes a food or beverage a creditable meal component in the CACFP.
Transcript: What is a creditable meal component in CACFP? A creditable meal component is a food or beverage that meets CACFP meal pattern requirements and can be counted toward a reimbursable meal or snack. The five meal components are fluid milk, fruits, vegetables, grains and meats/meat alternates. Each must meet specific guidelines such as meeting the minimum serving size or added sugar limits to be creditable.
Explore more resources provided below about crediting meal components in the CACFP.
- CACFP Meal Pattern Reference Card
- A helpful breakdown of infant, child and adult meal patterns and which meal components credit for each meal type.
- Crediting Handbook in the CACFP
- This comprehensive guide outlines how foods credit in CACFP, including examples, serving sizes, and tips for documentation.
- National CACFP Association: Meal Pattern Resources
- Access tip sheets and training tools to help you accurately credit meal components in the CACFP as part of a reimbursable meal.
- Try adding this #CACFPCreditable one-skillet dish, Julia’s Beefy Macaroni, to your next menu.
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