Meal Pattern Minute: Crediting Different Types of Beans, Peas or Lentils

Beans, peas and lentils are some of the most flexible foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). A serving can credit as either a vegetable or a meat/meat alternate, but not both at the same time. So what happens when you serve two different kinds of beans in one meal? For example, if you put refried pinto beans inside a taco and offer black beans on the side, can you count one as a meat alternate and the other as a vegetable? 

Watch this Meal Pattern Minute with Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, as she talk about beans, peas and lentils and how they can credit in the CACFP.

Transcript: The answer is yes. When CACFP operators serve two different types of beans, peas or lentils, one can credit towards the vegetables component and the other towards the meats/meat alternates. As a reminder, one type of bean, pea or lentil cannot credit for both vegetables and meats/meat alternates components in the same meal. 

For more information, refer to the resource below:

• Crediting Handbook for Child Nutrition Programs 
  • Provides clear guidance on how various foods, including beans, credit in CACFP meals. 
  • If two different cooked, dry beans or peas are offered at a meal, the program operator may choose to credit one as a meat alternate and the other as a vegetable. 
• USDA Crediting Meats/Meat Alternates in the Child Nutrition Program Tip Sheet 
  • A quick reference on how to credit beans, peas and lentils in the CACFP as a meats/meat alternates component. 
• USDA Crediting Vegetables in the Child Nutrition Program Tip Sheet  
  • A quick reference on how to credit beans, peas and lentils in the CACFP as a vegetable component. 
• Webinar: Meats/Meat Alternates in the CACFP ($) 
  • Meats and meat alternates provide the protein kids need to grow, stay strong and stay full longer. From chicken and eggs to yogurt and beans, there are plenty of ways to serve protein-packed meals. 
• Webinar: Vegetables in the CACFP ($)
  • Vegetables provide essential vitamins, minerals and fiber to support growing bodies. But getting kids excited about eating them? That's where strategy and creativity come in. We'll focus on practical, easy-to-implement ways to serve vegetables in the CACFP meal pattern. 
• Add this Breakfast Black Beans with Eggs to include more variety and beans in your menu. 

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