Milk Requirements and Guidelines for CACFP

Milk is a crucial component of the CACFP meal pattern. This article outlines meal pattern requirements, allowable types of milk, substitutions, and best practices for managing milk expenses to ensure compliance with program guidelines.

Meal Pattern Requirements

• Milk is required for Breakfast, Lunch & Supper.
  • 1-2 Year Olds: 4 ounces
  • 3-5 Year Olds: 6 ounces
  • 6-18 Year Olds: 8 ounces
  • Adults: 8 ounces

• Can also be served as a meal component for Snacks.
  • 1-2 Year Olds: 4 ounces
  • 3-5 Year Olds: 4 ounces
  • 6-18 Year Olds: 8 ounces
  • Adults: 8 ounces

• For adult participants only:
  • Yogurt may be served in place of milk once per day.
  • Milk is optional at Supper.

Allowable Types of Milk

The type of milk served depends on the participant’s age group.

• Children 12-23 Months Old:
  • Whole milk is required.
• Children 2-5 Years Old:
  • Unflavored 1% or fat-free/skim milk is required.
• Children 6 & Older and Adults:
  • Unflavored or flavored fat-free/skim milk OR
  • Unflavored or flavored fat-free/skim milk
  • 2% milk is not allowable.

Milk Substitutions

1. Substitution/Medical Statements are required if a child cannot have the regular type of milk offered by the center.
2. Non-dairy options must be equivalent to milk and meet nutritional standards found in cow’s milk.

Milk Expenses

1. Purchase Tracking
   • Purchase enough milk to match the number of gallons planned on your daily meal production records.
   • Document any leftover milk that will be re-served on leftover/recycled food records.
2. Administrative Reviews
   • TDA monitors milk served vs purchased totals very carefully during administrative reviews. 
   • Insufficient milk purchases can result in meal adjustments and/or CACFP funds being required to be paid back to TDA.
3. Milk Donations
   • Donations are allowed but must be properly documented, including:
     • Donor’s name.
     • Date of the donation.
     • Description of the donation (e.g., “non-fat milk”).
     • Amount donated (e.g., gallon, half-gallon, pints).