Overview
School Nutrition Programs | Program Guidance | Forms | Resources | Nutrition Education
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) preschool meal patterns (ages 1-5) for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and Afterschool Snack Program (ASP) follow the same requirements as the CACFP meal patterns for children. The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the NSLP follows the NSLP, SBP, and ASP meal patterns. For detailed guidance on the preschool meal patterns and crediting requirements, refer to the CSDE's Guide to Meeting the Preschool Meal Patterns and Crediting Requirements for the School Nutrition Programs.
On April 25, 2024, the USDA published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962). This final rule implements gradual updates to the Child Nutrition Programs in several key areas, including the preschool meal patterns. Some menu planning flexibilities are effective July 1, 2024. Changes to preschool menus are not required until school year 2025-26 (beginning July 1, 2025). For more information, visit the "Upcoming Meal Pattern Changes" section of the CSDE's Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in School Nutrition Programs webpage.
Comparison Charts | Meal Patterns | Menu Planning Guidance Series | Training Resources
Comparison Charts
- Comparison of Meal Pattern Requirements for Preschool and Grades K-12 in the Afterschool Snack Program of the NSLP (CSDE)
- Comparison of Lunch and Breakfast Meal Pattern Requirements for Preschool and Grades K-12 in the NSLP and SBP (CSDE)
Meal Patterns
On April 25, 2024, the USDA published the final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (89 FR 31962). This final rule implements gradual updates to the Child Nutrition Programs in several key areas, including the preschool meal patterns. Some menu planning flexibilities take effect with school year 2024-25 (beginning July 1, 2024). Changes to preschool menus are not required until school year 2025-26 (beginning July 1, 2025). For more information, visit the "Upcoming Meal Pattern Changes" section of the CSDE's Meal Patterns for Grades K-12 in School Nutrition Programs webpage.
- ASP Preschool Meal Pattern (CSDE)
- NSLP Preschool Meal Pattern (CSDE)
- SBP Preschool Meal Pattern (CSDE)
- Co-mingled Meals and Afterschool Snacks ("Meal Service" section)
- Family Style Meal Service ("Meal Service" section)
- Field Trip Meals ("Meal Service" section)
- Meal Schedules for Preschoolers ("Meal Service" section)
- Serving the Same Menu to Preschool and Grades K-12 ("Meal Service" section)
- Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks (USDA webpage)
Menu Planning Guidance Series
- Guide to Meeting the Preschool Meal Patterns and Crediting Requirements for the School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- Guide to Meal Service Requirements for Preschoolers in the School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- Guide to Menu Documentation for the School Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
Training Resources
- CACFP Cooking Videos (USDA webpage)
- CACFP Halftime: Thirty on Thursdays webinar Series (USDA Team Nutrition)
- CACFP Meal Pattern Training Slides (USDA webpage)
- CACFP Training Tools (USDA webpage)
- CARE Connection Step-by-Step Menu Planning (Institute of Child Nutrition Online Training)
- CSDE Training Modules: Preschool Meal Pattern Training for the School Nutrition Programs
- Training for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- USDA Memos
- USDA Memo SP 01-2018: Updated Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns in NSLP and SBP: Q&As
- USDA Memo SP 01-2019 and CACFP 01-2019: Guidance for FY19: Updated CACFP Meal Patterns and Updated NSLP and SBP Infant and Preschool Meal Patterns