CACFP Meal Pattern · 13-18
CACFP Meal Pattern for Participants Ages 13-18: Breakfast, Lunch or Supper, and Snack
The CACFP meal-pattern table includes an ages 13-18 column used for eligible participants, including at-risk afterschool participants and emergency-shelter residents.
Who serves Participants Ages 13-18 meals under CACFP
- At-risk afterschool programs
- Emergency shelters serving youth
- Eligible programs serving children of migrant workers through age 15
- Eligible facilities serving participants with disabilities
Regulatory note: Eligibility for participants ages 13-18 depends on the CACFP facility type and the participant's status. FNS notes that at-risk afterschool programs and emergency shelters may need to serve larger portions for this age group.
Breakfast — Participants Ages 13-18
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Vegetables, fruits, or both | 1/2 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
Lunch or Supper — Participants Ages 13-18
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 2 ounces |
| Vegetables | 1/2 cup |
| Fruits | 1/4 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
Snack — Participants Ages 13-18
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Milk (low-fat or fat-free, flavored or unflavored) | 1 cup |
| Meat/meat alternates | 1 ounce |
| Vegetables | 3/4 cup |
| Fruits | 3/4 cup |
| Grains (oz eq) | 1 ounce equivalent |
At snack, select 2 of the 5 components; milk and juice cannot be the only two items. Confirm participant and facility eligibility with the administering agency. FNS notes that at-risk afterschool programs and emergency shelters may need larger portions for ages 13-18.
Key crediting and substitution rules
- At least one grain serving across all eating occasions each day must be whole grain-rich. Use a USDA-recognized method and product documentation to evaluate grain ingredients; total product weight alone does not establish whole grain-rich status.
- Pasteurized, full-strength juice may meet the vegetable or fruit requirement at only one meal or snack per day.
- Yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces.
- Breakfast cereal must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce.
- Grain-based desserts do not credit toward the grains requirement.
- At breakfast, meats or meat alternates may replace the entire grains requirement up to three times per week, ounce equivalent for ounce equivalent.
Source: 7 CFR 226.17a; 7 CFR 226.20(c). Review the current USDA FNS CACFP nutrition standards before service.
Review Participants Ages 13-18 menu drafts for meal-pattern gaps
CrEATe compares the information you enter with configured CACFP component and portion fields for Participants Ages 13-18, flags planning gaps, and prepares record drafts. Verify the result against current USDA, sponsor, and state guidance.