Meal Pattern Minute: Chestnuts

For Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) operators, understanding which foods are creditable is an important part of menu planning. As the holiday season approaches, chestnuts often make an appearance in recipes, celebrations, and seasonal menus. Since chestnuts are classified as a tree nut, you may wonder whether they can credit toward the meats/meat alternates component in the CACFP. 

Before adding this festive favorite to your menu, take a moment to listen to this Meal Pattern Minute. Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, talks about chestnuts and explains whether this food can be credited as a meat alternate.

Transcript: The answer is no. Chestnuts are not creditable in the CACFP. While they are considered a tree nut and many times enjoyed during the holiday season, their low protein content means they cannot credit toward the meats/meat alternates component in the CACFP. 

When questions arise about whether a food is creditable, consult the Food Buying Guide and CACFP Crediting Handbook before including it as part of a reimbursable meal. Staying informed about USDA guidance helps ensure meals are both nutritious and CACFP-compliant. 

• USDA Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs 
  • Use the Food Buying Guide to determine how vegetables, including less common varieties, contribute to meal pattern requirements. 
• CACFP Crediting Handbook 
  • Guidance on crediting common foods served in the CACFP and documenting meal pattern requirements in the CACFP. 
• Meal Pattern Minutes 
  • Explore additional Meal Pattern Minutes videos and resources covering common meal pattern questions. 
• Recipe Suggestion 
  • For a creditable tree nut option, consider serving almond butter as part of this snack: Apples and Almond Butter. This easy snack provides a tasty way to include almond butter, a CACFP-creditable meat alternate, alongside fresh fruit. 

You can also find this Meal Pattern Minute on YouTube! Want to share this video on Facebook? Click here, and then you'll find three icons along the right side of the screen. Click on the arrow, and you'll be able to choose whether you want to share it to your feed or to a group. You can also include a short note about why this Meal Pattern Minute is so important! Click on the "Post" button when you're finished, and that's it!