If a child cannot have milk, can I still be reimbursed for breakfast, lunch and supper?

Yes, if you obtain a written medical statement from a recognized medical authority stating that the child should not be served milk. The statement must specify a substitute food. Contact your state agency or sponsor for information.

How can I tell if juice is 100% full-strength juice?

The label will state "Juice", "Full Strength Juice", "Single Strength Juice", "Reconstituted Juice", "Juice from Concentrate", or "Juice Concentrate". Juice that has the word " cocktail", "natural", "beverage", or "drink" on the label is NOT 100% juice. The label should explicitly state "100% juice".

How are fruits and vegetables counted in combination dishes such as beef stew?

Only one component of fruit/vegetable can be counted in a combination dish. For example, if the beef stew you serve contains stew meat, potatoes, carrots and onions, the beef stew would only count for one fruit/vegetable component. An additional fruit or vegetable would need to be served.

Can vegetarian meals be served in the CACFP?

Yes. The meals must meet meal pattern requirements. Examples of meat alternatives that are creditable in the CACFP include natural and processed cheese, cheese spreads, cottage cheese, eggs, cooked dry beans and peas, nuts and seed butters or any combination of the above.

Can day care children be claimed on the CACFP if they only come several months out of the year?

Yes. As long as daycare children have a current enrollment form on file, they can be claimed until 13 years of age.

Can providers claim meals eaten at restaurants?

Yes, but serving size requirements must be met for all of the meal/snack components required.

Why don't home canned foods count?

For safety, home canned foods are not allowed in meals reimbursed by the CACFP. Clostridium botulinum , a dangerous bacteria, produces the deadly botulinum toxin that can grow in home canned foods. An amount of the botulinum toxin as tiny as a single crystal of salt has the potential to kill several people within an hour, and survivors can still suffer the effects months or even years later. Even when there is no evidence of spoilage, the toxin may be present.

Are wild game or non-commercial fish creditable?

There is no standard set on how these meat products are processed or handled. If processed or handled incorrectly, they could contain harmful or deadly contaminates. However, if these foods are processed by a USDA-inspected facility, they are creditable for the food program.

Are Rice Krispie treats or similar bars made from a cereal product creditable?

Yes, these "cereal snacks" may be creditable for snacks only, if the cereal is whole grain, enriched, or fortified and the main ingredient of the snack is the cereal. Do not serve dessert type items more than twice a week.