CACFP Updates for 10/25/2017: New Grain and Infant Memos; USDA Webinars; Product Calculator; Afterschool Meals Call

FY 2017 Bureau Notes - October 25, 2017

Bureau Memos and Updates will be posted here.

 

New CACFP Memos

Grain Requirements in the CACFP; Q & A
CACFP 1 -2018
Issued October 19, 2017

This memo supersedes CACFP 02-2017, Grain Requirements in the CACFP: Q & A, dated October 14, 2016.  It clarifies how to determine if a grain product is creditable or meets the whole grain-rich criteria, includes an updated Grain Chart, Q & A, and guidance on how to document compliance with requirements.  (In Iowa, you are required to identify whole grain-rich items on menus (record WG in the name of the item) and keep product and ingredient labels on file.)  

The memo introduces the rule of three to determine if grain items are creditable: make sure the first grain ingredient (or second after water), is whole or enriched, and the next two grain ingredients (if any) are whole, enriched, bran, or germ.  

The memo clarifies that non-creditable grains (such as malted barley flour, bromated flour, durum flour, white flour, wheat starch, corn starch, modified food starch, potato and legume flours) in insignificant amounts are acceptable.  If the product has the statement “contains 2% or less,” any ingredients listed after that are considered insignificant, and do not need to be considered in the rule of three. 

There is no need to use the rule of three for ready-to-eat breakfast cereals that are fortified. Fortified cereals may be labeled as fortified and will have added nutrients in the ingredient statement such as vitamin C (sodium ascorbate, ascorbic acid), niacinamide, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride), reduced iron, zinc oxide, folic acid, vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B1 (thiamin hydrochloride), vitamin A palmitate, vitamin D, and vitamin B12.

Furthermore, if a ready-to-eat breakfast cereal has a whole grain as the first ingredient and it is fortified, it meets the whole grain-rich criteria. 

Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the CACFP; Q & A
CACFP 2 -2018
Issued October 19, 2017

This memo supersedes CACFP 06-2017: Feeding Infants and Meal Pattern Requirements in the CACFP; Q & A, dated January 17, 2017.  It also clarifies meal documentation requirements described in memo CACFP 17-2017 and incorporates updated guidance on accommodating disabilities described in memo CACFP 14-2017.

USDA guidance memos are posted on the USDA CACFP policy website.

 

USDA Webinars

CACFP Halftime: Thirty on Thursdays Webinar Series

Each webinar takes place on the third Thursday of each month and will be offered in both English and Spanish. The English webinars are from 1:00-1:30 pm CST, and the Spanish webinars are from 2:00-2:30 pm CST.

The first webinar was on October 19 and focused on how to “Choose Breakfast Cereals That Are Lower in Added Sugars.” It was recorded and will be posted here.

The next webinar will will be held on Thursday, November 16th, 2017 and discuss how to “Choose Yogurts that Are Lower in Added Sugars”.  Registration will be posted here.

 

Team Up Thursday Webinar: Food Buying Guide Interactive Web-Based Tool

USDA will provide a demonstration of the new Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs Interactive Web-Based Tool to showcase the search, navigation, food yield comparison, and favorite food list.

When: Thursday, October 26, 2017 2-3 pm CST.  

Click here to register.  After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and posted here.

All participants are encouraged to create a profile and take advantage of the web-based Food Buying Guide resource.  Access the New Web-based Interactive Food Buying Guide and create your account here.

 

CACFP Product Calculator

Click here to use the CACFP Product Calculator, another tool developed by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation to find if your yogurt, breakfast cereal, or milk meets the requirements of the CACFP meal pattern. 

 

Afterschool Meals Matter Call: Transitioning from Snacks to Meals 

For many children a snack is not enough to make it through the afternoon. Serving meals, instead of or in addition to snacks, is an easy transition with the right tools. Join this call sponsored by Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) to learn how it pays to serve after school meals and make the transition.  The call is Thursday, November 16, 12 p.m. CST - register here.

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Robin Holz, MS, RDN
CACFP Lead Consultant, Centers
Bureau of Nutrition and Health Services
400 E 14th St
Des Moines 50319
Phone: 515-281-3484
Fax: 515-242-5988
Iowa Department of Education Website