Meal Patterns for CACFP Child Care Programs--Meal Service

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Meal Patterns for CACFP Child Care Programs

Meal Service

Eating Environment | Family Style | OVS | Water Availability

Eating Environment

Best Practices for Child Care Professionals Creating and Maintaining a Wellness Environment in Child Care Centers Participating in the CACFP (Institute of Child Nutrition)
CSDE Guide: Guide to Meal Service Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
Creating and Maintaining a Wellness Environment in Child Care Centers Participating in the CACFP (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Introduction to Happy Mealtimes in Child Care Settings (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Mealtimes with Toddlers in the CACFP (USDA webpage)
Positive Eating Environment Tool (U.S. Department of Human Services Head Start)
Ready, Set, Go! Creating and Maintaining a Wellness Environment in Child Care Centers Participating in the CACFP (Institute of Child Nutrition)
More resources: "Child Care Eating Environment" in CSDE's Resource List for Wellness Policies in Schools and Child Care

Family Style Meal Service

CACFP and Family Style Meal Service (Institute of Child Nutrition)
CSDE Guide: Guide to Meal Service Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
Family-Style Dining in Child Care Settings (Virtual Lab School)
Family Style Meal Service (Oregon Department of Education)
Family Style Meal Service with Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA webpage)
Grab and Go Lesson: Benefits for Serving Meals Family Style in Child Care (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Grab and Go Lesson: CACFP and Family Style Meal Service (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Mealtime Memo: The Basic Guide to Family Style Dining – Part 1 (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals (National CACFP Association)
Parent Handout: Serving Meals "Family Style" (USDA)
Tips for Serving Meals Family-Style (Institute of Child Nutrition)
USDA Guide: Family Style Meal Service with Children in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
USDA Memo CACFP 05-2017: Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Why You Should Serve Family Style (National CACFP Association)

Offer versus Serve (OVS)

Allowed only for at-risk afterschool centers

Offer versus Serve in At-risk Afterschool Centers (CSDE)
USDA Memo CACFP 02-2025: Offer Versus Serve and Family Style Meals in the Child and Adult Care Food Program

Water Availability

Section 7 CFR 226.25(i) of CACFP regulations requires that child care institutions and facilities must make potable drinking water available to children throughout the day.

CSDE Guide: Guide to Meal Service Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
Grab and Go Lesson: Offering and Making Water Available in Child Care (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Offering Water in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA)
USDA Memo SP 49-2016 and CACFP 18-2016: Resources for Making Potable Water Available in Schools and Child Care Facilities
USDA Memo CACFP 20-2016: Water Availability in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
"Water Availability" in CSDE's Resource List for Child Nutrition Programs