CACFP Menu Training

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults who are enrolled for care at participating child care centers, day care homes, and adult day care centers. If you’re new to CACFP or need help with your menu, there are several resources available:

  1. CACFP Menu Templates: The National CACFP Sponsors Association provides free fillable CACFP menu templates that can simplify your weekly meal planning. These templates are organized by age, meal, and meal component, and they include the minimum serving size as well as important reminders\
  2. CACFP Training Tools: The Food and Nutrition Service provides a variety of training tools for CACFP, including posters, training worksheets, training slides, and a CACFP snack menu planner
  3. CACFP Meal and Snack Standards: The Food and Nutrition Service also provides an interactive, web-based tool to assist Child Nutrition Program operators with planning, purchasing, preparing, and serving nutritious meals

  4. CACFP Menu Self-Assessment: is a tool designed to help you evaluate your menu’s compliance with CACFP requirements. It prompts you to ask specific questions about your menu, such as whether it includes all required meal components, whether the foods are creditable (approved by the USDA), and whether the portion sizes are appropriate for the ages of the children or adults you serve.

    By going through this self-assessment and checking off all the boxes, you can confirm that your menu meets CACFP standards. This can be particularly helpful if you’re new to CACFP, if you’ve made changes to your menu, or if you just want to ensure that you’re continuing to meet all requirements. Remember, a creditable menu is not only about coliance, but also about providing nutritious meals and snacks that contribute to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of those in your care.

    These tools can help you ensure that your menus include creditable (USDA-approved) foods and meet CACFP meal component requirements. They can be particularly helpful if you’re new to CACFP or if you’re looking to improve your existing menus. Remember, providing nutritious meals and snacks contributes to the wellness, healthy growth, and development of young children and adults in your care.