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USDA Releases Final Rule for Child Nutrition Program Nutrition Standards - CACFP

Published: 20 days ago
" On April 25, USDA released the final and improved nutrition standards for the Child Nutrition Programs. Changes primarily affect the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, but several changes also affect CACFP. Program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus until October 1, 2025. USDA has released the following resources to support implementation: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/school-nutrition-standards-updates.
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On April 25, USDA released the final and improved nutrition standards for the Child Nutrition Programs. Changes primarily affect the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, but several changes also affect CACFP. Program operators are not required to make any changes to their menus until October 1, 2025.

TDA is working to review the rule in-depth and determine the best path of implementation. TDA will communicate updates to guidance in newsletters and on the Policy page of SquareMeals.org: https://www.squaremeals.org/Programs/Child-and-Adult-Care-Food-Program/Policy-Handbook 

Updates affecting CACFP include:

Added Sugars
•    Limits added sugars in cereals and yogurts – rather than total sugars – by Fall 2025.

Supporting Other Food Preferences
•    Allows nuts and seeds to credit for the full meats/meat alternates component, removing the 50 percent crediting limit for nuts and seeds at breakfast, lunch, and supper.

Supporting Local Food Purchases
•    Expands the geographic preference option to allow “locally grown,” “locally raised,” or “locally caught” as procurement specifications for unprocessed or minimally processed food items.

Fluid Milk Substitutes
•    Updates Vitamin A and Vitamin D units of measurement for fluid milk substitutes from IU to mcg. No changes were made to the amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. 

Terminology Change
•    Changes references to “dry beans and peas (legumes)” to “beans, peas, and lentils.”

For more information about changes made by the final rule, see these USDA resources:
•    Implementation Timeline for Key Updates to Nutrition Standards: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/school-nutrition-standards-updates/implementation-timeline-cacfp-sfsp 
•    USDA Webpage: https://www.fns.usda.gov/cn/school-nutrition-standards-updates 

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