Program Guidance for CACFP Child Care Programs

Teacher of the Year Ceremony
Due to inclement weather, the Teacher of the Year Ceremony has been postponed to December 16, 2025 from 5-7pm. Doors will open at 4pm. The Ceremony will take place at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford, and the order of events will remain the same.

Program Guidance for CACFP Child Care Programs

Overview

CACFP | At-risk Afterschool Care | Child Care Centers
Emergency Shelters | Family Day Care Homes

The links below provide information on federal and state requirements and guidance for child care centers, at-risk afterschool care centers, emergency shelters and family day care homes participating in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).

A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Accommodating Special Diets (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Acronyms and Abbreviations for the CACFP (CSDE)
Action Guide for Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE)
Agreements for the CACFP (CSDE's Connecticut Online Application and Claiming System for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP System))
Food Allergies (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Alternate Protein Products (APPs) ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
And Justice for All Civil Rights Poster (USDA Form AD-475A): Contact CSDE CACFP Staff to obtain copies of this poster
Area Eligible Schools for At-risk Afterschool Programs: List of Area Eligible Schools (CSDE)
At-risk Afterschool Care Centers (CSDE's CACFP At-risk Afterschool Care Centers webpage)
Authorized Signature Change Form and Instructions (CSDE)

B

Beans, Peas, and Lentils ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Best Practices: USDA Memo CACFP 15-2016: Optional Best Practices to Further Improve Nutrition in the Child and Adult Care Food Program Meal Pattern
Bite Size: Meeting the CACFP Meal Patterns for Children (CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Breakfast: CACFP Breakfast Meal Pattern for Children (CSDE)
Breast Milk or Formula Provided by Parent or Guardian (CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
Building for the Future Poster (USDA)

C

CACFP Handbooks (USDA)
Calendar: CSDE Events Calendar
Celebrations and Parties
- Healthy Celebrations (CSDE)
- "Celebrations" in CSDE's Resource List for Wellness Policies in Schools and Child Care
Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Child and Adult Care Food Program (USDA)
Child Care Centers (CSDE CACFP Child Care Centers webpage)
Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE webpage)
Child Nutrition (CN) Labels (CSDE's Crediting Documentation for the Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Child Nutrition Sharing Site (Institute of Child Nutrition
Choking Prevention (CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Civil Rights for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Claims
- Claims for the CACFP: Connecticut Online Application and Claiming System for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP System)
- Claim Submission Schedule for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
CNP System: Connecticut Online Application and Claiming System for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Comparison of Meal Pattern Requirements for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
Connecticut Child Care Nutrition Standards (CCCNS): Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE webpage)
Contact Information for CACFP Staff (CSDE webpage)
Contract with Food Service Management Company (CSDE's Food Service Management Company webpage)

Crediting Foods
- Crediting Documentation for the Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CSDE webpage)
- Crediting Handbook for the CACFP (USDA)
- Crediting Infant Foods (CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
- Crediting Summary Charts for the CACFP (CSDE)
Cycle Menus (CSDE's Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)

D

Diabetes (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Dietary Guidance
- "Dietary Guidance" in CSDE's Resource List for Dietary Guidance and Nutrition Information
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA)
- CSDE's Resource List for Dietary Guidance and Nutrition Information
Disaster Preparedness and Response
- "Disaster Preparedness and Response" in CSDE's Resource List for Food Safety in Child Nutrition Programs
- USDA Memo SP 46-2014, CACFP 12-2014, and SFSP 18-2014: Disaster Response
Disclosure Requirements: U SDA Memo SP 16-2016, CACFP 06-2016, and SFSP 10-2016: Disclosure Requirements for the Child Nutrition Programs
Donating Foods: USDA Memo SP 11-2012, CACFP 05-2012, and SFSP 07-2012: Guidance on the Food Donation Program in Child Nutrition Programs

E

Eating Environment ("Meal Service" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Emergency Shelters (CSDE CACFP Emergency Shelters webpage)

F

Family Day Care Homes (CSDE CACFP Family Day Care Homes webpage)
Family Day Care Homes Monitor Handbook (USDA)
Family-style Meal Service ("Meal Service" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Farm to Preschool (CSDE's Farm to School webpage)
Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs (CSDE webpage)
Field Trip Meals ("Meal Service" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Final Rules: USDA Final Rules for CACFP (CSDE's Laws and Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Financial Management
- Financial Management Instruction for the CACFP (FNS 796-2 Revision 4)
- Financial Management Resources: CSDE's Resource List for Child Nutrition Programs
- Financial Review Requirements in the CACFP (USDA webinar)
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) Instructions for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA)
Food Allergies (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Food and Nutrition Information Center (FNIC) (USDA webpage)
Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA webpage)
Food Distribution Program (USDA Foods) (CSDE webpage)
Food Labels (CSDE's Nutrition Education webpage)
Food Recalls (CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Food Safety
- Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Resource List for Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
Food Service Management Company (CSDE webpage)
Forms
- Forms for CACFP Centers ("Forms" section of CSDE's CACFP Child Care Centers webpage)
- Forms for CACFP Homes ("Forms" section of CSDE's CACFP Family Day Care Homes webpage)
Fruits Component (CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Fundraisers: Healthy Fundraising (CSDE)

G

Gardens ("School Gardens" section of CSDE's Farm to School webpage)
Geographic Preference: Procurement
Gluten Intolerance (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Grains Component
- Grains Component (CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
- USDA Memo CACFP 09-2018: Grain Requirements in the CACFP: Q&As
- USDA Memo CACFP 16-2017: Grain-Based Desserts in the CACFP: Q&As
- Grain Ounce Equivalents for the CACFP (CSDE)
- Guide to Meeting the Whole Grain-rich Requirement for the CACFP (CSDE)
Grant Payments/Procedures: Search and review grant payments such as Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Guides (CSDE's Manuals and Guides for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)

H

Handwashing (CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) (CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Health and Achievement: CSDE's Resource List for Health and Achievement
Health Inspections: USDA Memo CACFP 05-2015 and SFSP 07-2015: Health and Safety Inspection Requirement
HUSKY Health for Connecticut Children & Adults (Connecticut Department of Social Services)

I

Inborn Errors of Metabolism "Guidance for Special Diets" section of CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Income Guidelines for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Infant Formula (CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
Infant Meal Pattern (CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
Infants (CSDE's Feeding Infants in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)

J

Juices: Crediting Juices in the CACFP

L

Laws and Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Legumes: Refer to Beans, Peas, and Lentils ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) (USDA webpage)
Lunch: CACFP Lunch/Supper Meal Pattern for Children (CSDE)

M

Management Improvement (USDA)
Manuals and Guides for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Meal Modifications (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Meal Patterns
- CACFP Meal Patterns for Children (CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
- CACFP Meal Patterns for Infants (CSDE)
- Guide to Meeting the Meal Pattern Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
- Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CSDE webpage)
- Meal Pattern Updates (Required by USDA final rule, Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent with the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for American
Meal Schedules: Section 2 of CSDE's Guide to Meal Service Requirements for CACFP Child Care Programs
Meal Service CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Meats and Meat Alternates Component (CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Medical Statements (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Menu Forms ("Menu Forms and Production Records" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Menu Planning (CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Milk Component (CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Milk Substitutes (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Monitoring
- Five-day Reconciliation: USDA Memo CACFP 10-2018: Conducting Five-day Reconciliation in the CACFP
- Monitoring Review Form for CACFP Centers (CSDE)
MyPlate (USDA)

N

Newsletters for Child Nutrition Programs (USDA webpage)
Noncreditable Foods for Child Care Programs in the CACFP (CSDE)
Nondiscrimination Statements: CSDE and USDA (CSDE webpage)
Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE's Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies webpage)
Nutrient Analysis
- FoodData Central: Nutrient Database (USDA)
- "Nutrient Analysis" in CSDE's Resource List for Menu Planning and Food Production in Child Nutrition Programs
Nutrition Education and Information
- Nibbles for Health: Nutrition Newsletters for Parents of Young Children (USDA webpage)
- Nutrition Education (CSDE webpage)
- Nutrition Information: CSDE's Resource List for Dietary Guidelines and Nutrition Information
- Resource List for Nutrition Education (CSDE)
- Resources for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Nutrition Facts Label ("Menu Planning" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program)
Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks
- Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks (USDA webpage)
- USDA Final Rule (81 FR 24347): CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010
- USDA Final Rule Correction (81 FR 75671): CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the HHFKA of 201
- USDA Memo CACFP 08-2017: Questions and Answers on the Updated Meal Pattern Requirements for the Child and Adult Care Food Program
Nuts and Seeds ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)

O

Offer versus Serve (OVS) for At-risk Afterschool Centers ("Meal Service" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Online Agreements and Claiming (Connecticut Online Application and Claiming System for Child Nutrition Programs (CNP System)
Operational Memoranda for the CACFP (CSDE webpage)

P

Payments for Child Nutrition Programs: Grant Payments/Procedures (CSDE webpage)
Physical Activity and Physical Education: CSDE's Resource List for Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools and Child Care
Policies for Nutrition and Physical Activity: Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE webpage)
Policy for Meal Modifications (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Policy Memos for the CACFP (USDA's FNS Documents & Resources webpage)
Portion Control (CSDE's Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Procurement
- Geographic Preference (CSDE's Procurement for School Nutrition Programs webpage)
- USDA Memo SP 03-2016, CACFP 03-2016, and SFSP 03-2016: Procurement Standards and Resource Management Requirements related to Franchise Agreements
- USDA Memo CACFP 09-2008 and SFSP 08-2008: Simplified Acquisition Threshold
- USDA Memo CACFP 15-2015: Allowable Costs Related to Physical Activity and Limiting the Use of Electronic Media in the Child and Adult Care Food Program
- USDA Memo SP 02-2010, CACFP 02-2010, and SFSP 02-2010: Procurement Questions
- USDA Memo SP 02-2016, CACFP 02-2016, and SFSP 02-2016: Questions and Answers on the Transition to and Implementation of 2 CFR Part 200
- USDA Memo SP 12-2016, CACFP 05-2016, and SFSP 09-2016: Guidance on Competitive Procurement Standards for Program Operators
- USDA Memo July 27, 2005: Procurement Questions – Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Product Formulation Statements (CSDE's Crediting Documentation for the Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Production Records" ("Menu Forms and Production Records" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)

Q

Qualifications: Staff Qualifications

R

Recipes
- Recipes for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE's Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
- Standardized Recipes (CSDE's Crediting Documentation for the Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Records Retention Requirements for the CACFP (CSDE)
Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs
- Laws and Regulations for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- CACFP Regulations: 7 CFR 226 (USDA)
Reimbursement Rates for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
Resource Lists
- Resources for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)
- Resources for the CACFP Meal Patterns (CSDE)

S

Sample CACFP Menus ("Menu Planning" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Sample Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies: Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE webpage)
School Gardens (CSDE's Farm to School webpage)
Self-assessment Tools for Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies: Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies (CSDE webpage)
Serious Deficiency Process in the CACFP
- Serious Deficiency Process in the CACFP (CSDE's Laws/Regulations webpage)
- Serious Deficiency Process in the CACFP and SFSP (USDA webpage)
Share Tables
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): Food Donations and Sharing Tables in School Meals Programs (Iowa State University)
- USDA Memo SP41-2016, CACFP 13-2016, and SFSP15-2016: Use of Share Tables in Child Nutrition Programs
Snack
- CACFP Snack Meal Pattern for Children (CSDE)
- Serving Snacks in the CACFP (USDA)
- Snacks ("Menu Planning" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Special Diets
- Policies for Special Diets (CSDE's Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
- Resource List for Special Diets in Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
- Special Diets in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CSDE webpage)
Staff Qualifications
- Competencies, Knowledge and Skills for Child Care Providers in CACFP Operations (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Staff Training (CSDE's Training for Child Nutrition Programswebpage)
Standard Operating Procedures (Institute of Child Nutrition)
Sugars Limit for Breakfast Cereals and Yogurt ("Menu Planning" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Supper: CACFP Lunch/Supper Meal Pattern for Children (CSDE)

T

Taste-Testing Event Resources (USDA webpage)
Team Nutrition (USDA webpage)
Temperatures for Food Safety ("Time and Temperature" section of CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Thermometers (CSDE's Food Safety for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Tofu and Tofu Products ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)
Training for Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE webpage)

U

USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)
USDA Foods: Food Distribution Program (CSDE webpage)
USDA Policy Memos: Policy Memos for the CACFP (USDA's FNS Documents & Resources webpage)
USDA CACFP Regulations (USDA webpage)

V

Vegetables Component (CSDE's Crediting Foods in the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Vegetarian Meals: CSDE's Resource List for Special Diets in Child Nutrition Programs
Vending Machines: USDA Memo SP 28-2016, CACFP 09-2016, and SFSP 11-2016: FDA Requirements for Vending Machines
Vendors (CSDE's Food Service Management Company webpage)

W

Waivers: CSDE Waiver Requests to USDA (CSDE Current School Year Operational Updates for School Nutrition Programs webpage)
Water Availability ("Meal Service" section of CSDE's Meal Patterns for the Child and Adult Care Food Program webpage)
Webinars (CSDE's Training for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Weights and Measures ("Portion Control" section of CSDE's Menu Planning for Child Nutrition Programs webpage)
Wellness policies (CSDE's Child Care Nutrition and Physical Activity Policies webpage)
Whole Grain-rich Requirement for the CACFP (CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)

Y

Yield Study Data Form for the Child Nutrition Programs (CSDE)
Yogurt and Soy Yogurt ("Meats and Meat Alternates" section of CSDE's Crediting Foods in CACFP Child Care Programs webpage)