CACFP Meal Pattern · 3-5
CACFP Meal Pattern for Children Ages 3-5: Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, and Snack
Children ages 3 through 5 are the largest CACFP participant group and the core preschool age served in Head Start and child care centers.
Who serves Children Ages 3-5 meals under CACFP
- Child care centers
- Family day care homes
- Head Start programs
- State-funded preschool programs
Regulatory note: Unflavored low-fat (1%) or fat-free milk is required. Juice may be served only once per day. At least one serving per day of grains must be whole-grain rich.
Breakfast — Children Ages 3-5
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, unflavored) | 3/4 cup |
| Vegetables, fruits, or both | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1/2 ounce equivalent |
Lunch or Supper — Children Ages 3-5
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, unflavored) | 3/4 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 1 1/2 ounces |
| Vegetables | 1/4 cup |
| Fruits | 1/4 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1/2 ounce equivalent |
Snack — Children Ages 3-5
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, unflavored) | 1/2 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 1/2 ounce |
| Vegetables | 1/2 cup |
| Fruits | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1/2 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(c); USDA FNS Child Meal Pattern.
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