CACFP Meal Pattern · 13-18
CACFP Meal Pattern for Children Ages 13-18 (At-Risk Afterschool Only): Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, and Snack
Ages 13-18 are only claimed under CACFP in at-risk afterschool programs and emergency shelters. Portion sizes match ages 6-12.
Who serves Children Ages 13-18 (At-Risk Afterschool Only) meals under CACFP
- At-risk afterschool programs
- Emergency shelters serving youth
Regulatory note: Ages 13-18 cannot be claimed in day care homes or standard child care centers — only in at-risk afterschool, outside-school-hours care, and emergency shelter settings.
Breakfast — Children Ages 13-18 (At-Risk Afterschool Only)
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Vegetables, fruits, or both | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
Lunch or Supper — Children Ages 13-18 (At-Risk Afterschool Only)
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 2 ounces |
| Vegetables | 1/2 cup |
| Fruits | 1/4 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
Snack — Children Ages 13-18 (At-Risk Afterschool Only)
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 1 ounce |
| Vegetables | 3/4 cup |
| Fruits | 3/4 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
Ages 13-18 are claimable only in at-risk afterschool, outside-school-hours care, and emergency shelter settings.
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 226.17a; 7 CFR 226.20(c).
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