Planning snacks for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) doesn’t have to be a guessing game. By using the right resources—like the Texas Department of Agriculture’s Square Meals, the USDA Food Buying Guide, and the CACFP Handbook—you can serve nutritious snacks that meet federal guidelines and keep your program reimbursable.
The Snack “Rule of Two” (Ages 1+)
For children age 1 and older and adults, a reimbursable snack must include two different components from the following five food groups:
- Milk (Fluid milk)
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Grains (Whole grain-rich or enriched)
- Meat/Meat Alternates (Protein)
To be “creditable,” you must serve at least the minimum portion size for two of these categories. While you can offer more, only two are required for a valid claim.
Portion Sizes by Age Group
Serving sizes increase as participants grow. Below are the minimum requirements based on the Square Meals Meal Pattern charts and the USDA Food Buying Guide (Introduction, pages I-7 through I-19).
| Component | 1–2 Years | 3–5 Years | 6–18 Years | Adults |
| Milk | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup | 1 cup | 1 cup |
| Vegetable | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup | 3/4 cup | 1/2 cup |
| Fruit | 1/2 cup | 1/2 cup | 3/4 cup | 1/2 cup |
| Grains | 1/2 oz eq | 1/2 oz eq | 1 oz eq | 2 oz eq |
| Meat/Meat Alt. | 1/2 oz | 1/2 oz | 1 oz | 1 oz |
Healthy Snack Examples
Using the USDA Food Buying Guide to ensure correct portioning, here are five easy snack ideas:
- Protein & Fruit: 1 oz of cheese + 3/4 cup apple slices (Ages 6-18).
- Veggie & Grain: 1/2 cup baby carrots + 1/2 oz eq whole-wheat crackers (Ages 3-5).
- Dairy & Fruit: 1/2 cup yogurt + 1/2 cup blueberries (Ages 1-2).
- Milk & Grain: 1 cup low-fat milk + 1 oz eq whole-grain cereal (Ages 6-18).
- Protein & Veggie: 2 tbsp almond butter + 1/2 cup celery sticks (Adults).
Essential Tools for Success
1. The CACFP Handbook (Policy Guide)
This is your primary rulebook. It explains the “why” and “what” of the program—detailing eligibility, record-keeping, and which foods are “creditable.”
- Page 11-14: Highlights the required components for snack.
- Page 44: Provides the Creditable Food Charts for quick reference.
- Link: Access the official CACFP Handbooks
2. The USDA Food Buying Guide (The Calculator)
The Food Buying Guide (FBG) helps you calculate how much food to buy. For example, if you need to serve 50 children 1/2 cup of strawberries, the FBG tells you exactly how many pounds of fresh fruit to purchase.
- Pages I-7 to I-19: Full Meal Pattern charts for all ages.
- Section 4, Page 4-6: Criteria for determining acceptable grain items.
- Link: Interactive Food Buying Guide Tool
Quick Compliance Checklist
- No Grain-Based Desserts: Cookies and brownies are not reimbursable.
- Added Sugar Limits: As of 2026, yogurt must contain no more than 12 grams of added sugars per 6 ounces (2 grams of added sugars per ounce).
- Whole Grains: At least one serving of grains per day must be “Whole Grain-Rich.”
Need Help?
Understanding federal regulations can be a lot to handle. If you have questions about crediting a specific food or need help with your menu records, we are here for you. Learn more about our services or contact our CACFP Support Team today for personalized assistance!