On the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) 1

 Breaded Chicken Nuggets, patties, tenders  Breaded Popcorn chicken  Breaded fish sticks, patties, shapes, nuggets  Corn dogs and mini corn dogs  Pizza (any type)  Canned and frozen ravioli  Frozen soups for any component 2  Potato pancakes  Breakfast bites  Lasagna, quesadillas  Chili and Chili Mac  Chicken pot pies  Cheese sauce  Pizza rolls  Egg rolls To name a few…

Check the ingredients label first for these types of ingredients Purchased food items such as  Alternate protein products (APPs) like soy protein isolate  Various types of flour  Cereals  Modified food starches  Dried milk  Carrageenan  Salisbury Steak  Meatballs  Hamburger  Taco Meat  Riblettes  Some sausages  Vegetable burgers Must be treated like purchased combination food items...

~ Purchased Combination Foods ~ 4 Combination food items can only be counted on the CACFP when the actual content (i.e. meat/meat alternate, bread, etc.) is known and documented. Most products cannot be taken apart to weigh and measure the ingredients separately for counting the amount of meat/meat alternate (M/MA), fruit/vegetable (F/V) and bread/grain (G/B).

Acceptable documentation to count purchased combination foods are: The actual Child Nutrition (CN) label marked on the product, or A manufacturer’s product formulation statement signed by an official of the manufacturer 5

~ Child Nutrition (CN) Labels ~ 6 USDA must evaluate a product’s formulation to determine how much it can count toward the meal pattern requirements. Once approved by USDA, the manufacturers can state the meal contribution within a CN label on the packaging of the product. They clearly identify how much a product can count toward the meal pattern requirements. They provide a warranty against meal disallowance if the CN labeled product is used according to the manufacturer’s directions.

Proper documentation of a CN-labeled product is an actual label on the purchased product carton 7

The CN logo, which is a distinct border; The meal pattern contribution statement; A unique 6-digit product identification number (assigned by USDA/FNS) appearing in the upper right hand corner of the CN logo; The USDA/FNS authorization statement; The month and year of final FNS approval 8 A CN label will always contain the following:

They are information sheets obtained from the manufacturer with a detailed explanation of what the product actually contains and the amount of each ingredient by weight. It should contain the original signature of an authorized company representative, not a sales representative’ ssignature. 9

~ Product Formulation Statements ~

CN labels do NOT indicate that a product is healthy Used predominately on processed meat and meat alternate products which are often high in sodium, fat and calories Healthier options are becoming available If using CN labeled foods, always read the Nutrition Facts panel to choose healthier options 11

They are not the nutrition facts labels or ingredients lists 12 X X

Two 1.00 oz breaded fish sticks provide 1.00 oz meat equivalent and.50 serving of bread alternate Meat equivalent calculation:  1-2 year olds (1 oz) =2 fish stks sticks  3-5 year olds (1.5 oz) =3 fish stks sticks  6-12 year olds (2 oz) =4 fish stks sticks 14

Each 2.00 oz fully cooked beef patty provides 1.75 oz of meat equivalent Meat equivalent calculation:  1-2 year olds (1 oz) = ¾ burger (round up to 1)  3-5 year olds (1.5 oz) = 1 burger  6-12 year olds (2 oz) = 1&1/4 burger (round up to 1 & ½ ) 15

This 4 oz Corn Dog provides 2.0 oz equivalent meat and 2 servings bread alternate for Child Nutrition Meal Pattern Requirements. 16 Meat equivalent calculation: 1-2 year olds (1 oz) = ½ corn dog 3-5 year olds (1.5 oz) = ¾ corn dog 6-12 year olds (2 oz) = 1 corn dog

Five.88oz breaded fully cooked chicken nuggets (2.43 oz Total) provide 2.00 oz equivalent meat/meat alternate and 1.00 serving bread alternate for Child Nutrition Meal Pattern Requirements. 17 Meat Equivalent Calculation: 1-2 yr olds (1 oz) = 3 nuggets; 3-5 yr olds (1.5 oz) = 4 nuggets; 6-12 yr olds (2 oz) = 5 nuggets

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 Natural Cheese  Pasteurized Process Cheese (100% cheese) 2 oz of the following items provides 1 oz meat/meat alternate:  Cheese Food (contains at least 51% cheese)  Cheese Spread  Cottage Cheese  Ricotta Cheese 19

Pasteurized Process American Cheese 21

22 Cheese Spread 2 oz = 1 oz)

23 Natural Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese Sticks

24 2 oz = 1 oz

Light Pasteurized Cheese 25

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Requires CN label 27

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 Imitation cheese  Cheese Product (contains <51% cheese)  Velveeta 29

Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product 31

Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product 32

33 Imitation Mozzarella Cheese

Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product 34