CACFP Meal Pattern · Adults
CACFP Meal Pattern for Adult Participants: Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, and Snack
Adults enrolled in CACFP-participating adult day care centers, including functionally impaired and older adults, receive the adult meal pattern.
Who serves Adult Participants meals under CACFP
- Adult day care centers
- Non-residential adult day health programs
Regulatory note: Six ounces of juice or fruit/vegetable is required at breakfast. Adult breakfast must include at least two full servings of grain or one grain plus one meat/meat alternate.
Breakfast — Adult Participants
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Vegetables, fruits, or both (or juice) Juice may only be served once per day. | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) Adults are served two full grain servings at breakfast, or one grain plus one meat/meat alternate. | 2 ounce equivalents |
Lunch or Supper — Adult Participants
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free; optional at supper) Milk is required at lunch. At supper, milk is optional for adults. | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 2 ounces |
| Vegetables | 1/2 cup |
| Fruits | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 2 ounce equivalents |
Snack — Adult Participants
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free) | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 1 ounce |
| Vegetables | 1/2 cup |
| Fruits | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
At snack, select 2 of the 5 required components. A snack may not consist of two beverages.
Key crediting and substitution rules
- At least one grain serving per day must be whole-grain rich (at least 50% whole grain by weight).
- Juice may only be served once per day and must be 100% full-strength pasteurized fruit or vegetable juice.
- Yogurt must contain no more than 23 grams of total sugars per 6 ounces.
- Breakfast cereals must contain no more than 6 grams of sugar per dry ounce.
- Grain-based desserts (cookies, granola bars, sweet rolls) do not credit toward the grain component.
- At snack, tofu, beans, nuts, seeds, and eggs may all credit as meat/meat alternates.
Source: 7 CFR 226.20(d); USDA FNS Adult Meal Pattern.
Validate your Adult Participants menus automatically
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