CACFP Administrative Manual Section 8.1

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• Terms, Definitions, and Acronyms

Section 8.1 Meal Patterns

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations specify the following meal patterns:

• Infant Meal Pattern—for infants from birth through eleven months

• Meal Pattern for Children and Adults—for children age one through eighteen and adults over eighteen years of age.

The CACFP meal pattern requirements are located on the USDA CACFP Nutrition Standards web page under Meal Patterns Tables. 

All CACFP Operators must comply with the CACFP meal pattern standards in order to claim meals for reimbursement.  Refer to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) CACFP Meal Patterns web page for more information.

Accommodating Special Dietary Needs

Refer to the CDSS Meal Modifications in the CACFP web page for guidance on how to accommodate participants with special dietary needs and claim these meals for reimbursement in the CACFP.

504 Coordinator and Accommodation Procedures

The 504 Coordinator is responsible for addressing requests for accommodations and ensuring compliance with disability requirements related to meals and meal service.  CACFP Operators that employ 15 or more individuals must appoint a coordinator and establish grievance procedures that provide equitable resolution of complaints.

All CACFP Operators are encouraged to implement procedures for parents, guardians, and participating adults to request modifications to meal service for participants with disabilities.

References:  7 CFR, section 15b.3(i), 15b.3(k), 15b.26(d)(2), 226.20; CACFP 14-2017, SFSP 10-2017 Policy Memorandum on Modifications to Accommodate Disabilities in the CACFP and Summer Food Service Program, CACFP Bulletin 01-2020 Documentation Requirements for the CACFP Meal Patterns.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.