# Requirements for meals.
**AGENCY:**
Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), USDA.
**ACTION:**
Technical amendments.
**SUMMARY:**
On October 1, 2021, the requirement to credit grains served in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) in “ounce equivalents” was implemented. This action also applied to the crediting of grains served to infants and toddlers in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. This document corrects the final regulations to align meal pattern tables and corresponding endnotes with regulatory requirements.
**DATES:**
Effective October 18, 2021 and applicable on October 1, 2021.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**
Alice McKenney, Branch Chief, Child Nutrition Division, 703-305-2590.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**
This is a summary of technical amendments to CACFP Meal Pattern Revisions Related to the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, published April 25, 2016 (81 FR 24347) and Delayed Implementation of Grains Ounce Equivalents in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, published September 25, 2019 (84 FR 50287), which allowed a two-year delay of crediting of grains by ounce equivalents, until October 1, 2021. FNS is making changes to update the infant meal pattern tables and endnotes at 7 CFR 210.10(o), 210.10(q), 220.8(p), and 226.20(c); preschool meal pattern tables and endnotes at 7 CFR 210.10(o), 210.10(p), and 220.8(o); and meal pattern tables, text and endnotes for infants, children and adult participants at 7 CFR 226.20(c). These changes are consistent with regulatory requirements implemented as of October 1, 2021.
**List of Subjects**
Grant programs—education, Grant programs—health, Infants and children, Nutrition, Penalties, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, School breakfast and lunch programs, Surplus agricultural commodities.
Grant programs—education, Grant programs—health, Infants and children, Nutrition, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, School breakfast and lunch programs.
Accounting, Aged, Day care, Food assistance programs, Grant programs, Grant programs—health, American Indians, Individuals with disabilities, Infants and children, Intergovernmental relations, Loan programs, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Surplus agricultural commodities.
Accordingly, 7 CFR parts 210, 220, and 226 are amended by making the following technical amendments:
**PART 210—NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM**
**7 CFR Part 210**
1. The authority citation for part 210 continues to read as follows:
**Authority:**
42 U.S.C. 1751-1760, 1779.
**7 CFR Part 210**
2. Amend § 210.10 by revising the tables in paragraphs (o)(3)(ii), (o)(4)(ii), (p)(2) and (q)(2) to read as follows:
§ 210.10
(o) * * *
(3) * * *
(ii) * * *
| Food components and food items | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 4 fluid ounces. | |
| Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | | | |
| Lean meat, poultry, or fish | ounce | ounce. | |
| Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products | ounce | ounce. | |
| Cheese | ounce | ounce. | |
| Large egg | | . | |
| Cooked dry beans or peas | cup | cup. | |
| Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 1 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp. | |
| Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened | 2 ounces or
cup | 2 ounces or
cup. | |
| Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds | ounce | ounce. | |
| Vegetables | cup | cup. | |
| Fruits | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz eq) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent. | |
(4) * * *
(ii) * * *
| Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
| --- | --- |
| 4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula | 2-4 fluid ounces breastmilk
or |
| | formula;
and |
| | 0-
ounce equivalent bread;
or |
| | 0-
ounce equivalent crackers;
or |
| | 0-
ounce equivalent infant cereal
or ready-to-eat breakfast cereal;
and |
| | 0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. |
(p) * * *
(2) * * *
| Food components and food items | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces. | |
| Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | | | |
| Lean meat, poultry, or fish | 1 ounce | 1
ounces. | |
| Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products | 1 ounce | 1
ounces. | |
| Cheese | 1 ounce | 1
ounces. | |
| Large egg | | . | |
| Cooked dry beans or peas | cup | cup. | |
| Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 2 Tbsp | 3 Tbsp. | |
| Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened | 4 ounces or
cup | 6 ounces or
cup. | |
| The following may be used to meet no more than 50% of the requirement: Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds, as listed in program guidance, or an equivalent quantity of any combination of the above meat/meat alternates (1 ounce of nuts/seeds = 1 ounce of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish) | ounce = 50% | ounce = 50%. | |
| Vegetables | cup | cup. | |
| Fruits | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz eq) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent. | |
(q) * * *
(2) * * *
| Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
| --- | --- |
| 4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula | 6-8 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula;
and |
| | 0-
ounce equivalent infant cereal;
or |
| | 0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or cooked dry peas; or |
| | 0-2 ounces of cheese; or |
| | 0-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or |
| | 0-4 ounces or
cup of yogurt;
or a combination of the above;
and |
| | 0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. |
**PART 220—SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAM**
**7 CFR Part 220**
3. The authority citation for part 220 continues to read as follows:
**Authority:**
42 U.S.C. 1773, 1779, unless otherwise noted.
**7 CFR Part 220**
4. Amend § 220.8 by revising the tables in (o)(2) and (p)(2) to read as follows:
§ 220.8
(o) * * *
(2) * * *
| Food components and food items | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces. | |
| Vegetables, fruits, or portions of both | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz eq) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent. | |
(p) * * *
(2) * * *
| Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
| --- | --- |
| 4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula | 6-8 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula;
and |
| | 0-
ounce equivalent infant cereal;
or |
| | 0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or cooked dry peas; or |
| | 0-2 ounces of cheese; or |
| | 0-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or |
| | 0-4 ounces or
cup of yogurt;
or a combination of the above;
and |
| | 0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. |
**PART 226—CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM**
**7 CFR Part 226**
5. The authority citation for 7 CFR part 226 continues to read as follows:
**Authority:**
Secs. 9, 11, 14, 16, and 17, Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 1758, 1759a, 1762a, 1765 and 1766.
**7 CFR Part 226**
6. Amend § 226.20 by revising paragraphs (b)(4)(ii)(A), (b)(4)(ii)(B), and the tables in paragraphs (b)(5), (c)(1), (c)(2), and (c)(3) to read as follows:
§ 226.20
(b) * * *
(4) * * *
(ii) * * *
(A) *Breakfast, lunch, or supper.* Six to 8 fluid ounces of breastmilk or iron-fortified infant formula, or portions of both; and 0 to 1/2 ounce equivalent of iron-fortified dry infant cereal; or 0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or cooked dry peas; or 0 to 2 ounces (weight) of cheese; or 0 to 4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or 0 to 4 ounces of yogurt; and 0 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable, fruit, or portions of both. Fruit juices and vegetable juices must not be served.
(B) *Snack.* Two to 4 fluid ounces of breastmilk or iron-fortified infant formula; and 0 to 1/2 ounce equivalent bread; or 0- 1/4 ounce equivalent crackers; or 0- 1/2 ounce equivalent infant cereal or ready-to-eat cereals; and 0 to 2 tablespoons of vegetable or fruit, or portions of both. Fruit juices and vegetable juices must not be served. A serving of grains must be whole grain-rich, enriched meal, or enriched flour.
(5) * * *
| Infants | Birth through 5 months | 6 through 11 months |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Breakfast, Lunch, or Supper | 4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula | 6-8 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula;
and |
| | | 0-
ounce equivalent infant cereal;
or |
| | | 0-4 tablespoons meat, fish, poultry, whole egg, cooked dry beans, or cooked dry peas; or |
| | | 0-2 ounces of cheese; or |
| | | 0-4 ounces (volume) of cottage cheese; or |
| | | 0-4 ounces or
cup of yogurt;
or a combination of the above;
and |
| | | 0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both |
| Snack | 4-6 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula | 2-4 fluid ounces breastmilk
or formula;
and |
| | | 0-
ounce equivalent bread;
or |
| | | 0-
ounce equivalent crackers;
or |
| | | 0-
ounce equivalent infant cereal
or ready-to-eat breakfast cereal;
and |
| | | 0-2 tablespoons vegetable or fruit, or a combination of both. |
(c) * * *
(1) * * *
| Food | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | Ages 6-12 | Ages 13-18 | Adult |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces. | |
| Vegetables, fruits, or portions of both | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz. eq.) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 2 ounce equivalents. | |
(2) * * *
| Food components and food items | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | Ages 6-12 | Ages 13-18 | Adult |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces. | |
| Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | | | | | | |
| Lean meat, poultry, or fish | 1 ounce | 1
ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces. | |
| Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products | 1 ounce | 1
ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces. | |
| Cheese | 1 ounce | 1
ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces | 2 ounces. | |
| Large egg | | | 1 | 1 | 1. | |
| Cooked dry beans or peas | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 2 Tbsp | 3 Tbsp | 4 Tbsp | 4 Tbsp | 4 Tbsp. | |
| Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened | 4 ounces or
cup | 6 ounces or
cup | 8 ounces or 1 cup | 8 ounces or 1 cup | 8 ounces or 1 cup. | |
| The following may be used to meet no more than 50% of the requirement: | | | | | | |
| Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds, as listed in program guidance, or an equivalent quantity of any combination of the above meat/meat alternates (1 ounce of nuts/seeds = 1 ounce of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish) | ounce = 50% | ounce = 50% | 1 ounce = 50% | 1 ounce = 50% | 1 ounce = 50%. | |
| Vegetables | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Fruits | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz eq) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 2 ounce equivalents. | |
(3) * * *
| Food components and food items | Minimum quantities | Ages 1-2 | Ages 3-5 | Ages 6-12 | Ages 13-18 | Adult participants |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Fluid Milk | 4 fluid ounces | 6 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces | 8 fluid ounces. | |
| Meat/meat alternates (edible portion as served): | | | | | | |
| Lean meat, poultry, or fish | ounce | ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce. | |
| Tofu, soy products, or alternate protein products | ounce | ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce. | |
| Cheese | ounce | ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce. | |
| Large egg | | | | | . | |
| Cooked dry beans or peas | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Peanut butter or soy nut butter or other nut or seed butters | 1 Tbsp | 1 Tbsp | 2 Tbsp | 2 Tbsp | 2 Tbsp. | |
| Yogurt, plain or flavored unsweetened or sweetened | 2 ounces or
cup | 2 ounces or
cup | 4 ounces or
cup | 4 ounces or
cup | 4 ounces or
cup. | |
| Peanuts, soy nuts, tree nuts, or seeds | ounce | ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce | 1 ounce. | |
| Vegetables | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Fruits | cup | cup | cup | cup | cup. | |
| Grains (oz. eq.) | ounce equivalent | ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent | 1 ounce equivalent. | |
Cynthia Long,
Administrator, Food and Nutrition Service.