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Meal Pattern Minute

Looking for quick tips on some of the CACFP's hottest topics? Our nutrition education specialist, Isabel Ramos-Lebron, MS, RDN, LD, is here to help! Be sure to follow us on Instagram or on Facebook for more tips, recipes and resources! You can also find our Meal Pattern Minute Playlist on YouTube.

Meal Pattern Minute: Grain-Based Desserts

How do you define a grain-based dessert in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Tofu for Infants

USDA released a revised memo regarding tofu in the CACFP infant meal pattern.

Meal Pattern Minute: Meat Alternates

How can you identify a meat alternate in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Tortilla Chips

Are tortilla chips always whole grain-rich?

Meal Pattern Minute: Offering Water

Does water have to be offered to children in the CACFP, or just made available?

Meal Pattern Minute: Mixing Cereals

Can you mix a high-sugar cereal with a low-sugar cereal, and have the average meet the CACFP sugar limits?

Meal Pattern Minute: Animal Crackers

Grain-based desserts are not creditable in the CACFP – but how are animal crackers categorized?

Meal Pattern Minute: Age for Choking Risk

At what age are children at a higher risk for choking?

Meal Pattern Minute: Granola Bars

Are granola bars creditable in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Sugar Limits in Breakfast Cereal

What are the sugar limits for breakfast cereals in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Honey Graham Crackers

It is recommended to not serve honey to infants under 1 year old – does that also apply to honey graham crackers?

Meal Pattern Minute: Pumpkin Pie

Can pumpkin pie fit into the meal pattern? You might be surprised to learn the answer!

Meal Pattern Minute: Chestnuts

How do chestnuts fit into the CACFP meal pattern?

Meal Pattern Minute: Sugar Limits in Yogurt

What do you need to know about sugar limits in yogurt?

Meal Pattern Minute: Deli Meats

What documentation is needed to serve deli meats in the CACFP?

Meal Pattern Minute: Full-Strength Juice and Infants

Is full-strength juice creditable in the Infant Meal Pattern?

Meal Pattern Minute: Plant-Based Meat Alternates

How do you know what plant-based foods can be credited as a meat/meat alternate?

Meal Pattern Minute: Minimum Serving of Dried Fruits

If dried fruits credit for twice the volume of the fruit component, does that mean that the minimum serving is 1 tablespoon instead of 2 tablespoons?