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CACFP Child Care Videos

  • The Benefits of CACFP

    • Participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) has many nutritional benefits for children, youth, adults, and the agencies that serve them. This video shares information about the key benefits for participating in CACFP from child care center and State Agency staff. Key members of an organization or agency who are interested in joining the program should watch the video to learn more. This video can also be used as a training video for onboarding new staff about the benefits of CACFP.

  • The CACFP Meal Pattern

    • A meal pattern is used by the USDA to set the nutritional standards for meals and snacks in the CACFP. The CACFP meal pattern was last updated in 2016 and indicates that meals and snacks must meet certain food group standards, portion sizes, and sugar limits for yogurts and cereals. This video provides practical information for CACFP program operators, and menu planners who are expected to follow the meal pattern requirements. Practice assessments are also included.


  • The CACFP Mealtime Environment

    • Throughout the meal service, the CACFP has compliance requirements and best practices to assist with a smooth mealtime.  This video describes two different types of meal service, pre-plated and family style dining, and discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and requirements for both.  In addition, the Point of Service (POS) is emphasized to ensure the meal meets all of the requirements to be claimed for reimbursement. Program operators and all staff who participate in CACFP meal service should view this training video.


  • Standardized Recipes in the CACFP

    • What is a Standardized Recipe?
      • Standardized recipes in CACFP are required in order to prove that a menu item or dish meets meal pattern requirements. This video provides all the information that CACFP program operators, menu planners, and cooks need to know about standardized recipes, including recipes that combine menu components.  A practice assessment is included.

  • How to Write a Standardized Recipe

    • This video describes the step by step process of writing a standardized recipe for one serving and multiple servings. CACFP program operators, menu planners, and cooks will find this video helpful as they write and standardize recipes.
    • View ‘What is a Standardized Recipe?’ prior to viewing this video.