Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Certification Policy Manual
A child care provider shall ensure that each child receives proper nourishment while in child care as follows:
DCF 202.08(10)(a) Each child shall be served one meal or snack at least once every 3 hours. Each meal and snack shall meet the U.S. department of agriculture child and adult care food program minimum meal requirements.
DCF 202.08(10)(a) Note: The USDA meal program requirements are found on the United States Department of Agriculture website, http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/meals-and-snacks.
DCF 202.08(10)(bm) Enough food shall be prepared for each meal, so second portions of vegetables, fruit, grains, and milk are available to children.
Resources
It is recommended a new certification worker locate the CACFP sponsor in their area and request to accompany them on a new provider orientation to learn more about the CACFP.
Certifiers can also view these short videos to learn more about the CACFP: CACFP Overview, CACFP Infant Meal Pattern, CACFP Meal Pattern for 1-18 Year Olds.
Certification workers are not expected to monitor for complete and detailed compliance of the USDA requirements specific to serving sizes, sugars, etc. or whether or not the food item is a creditable food item with the CACFP. Using the menu checklist may be helpful, however, in ensuring all requirements of the meal pattern are met.
Referring new and existing providers to a CACFP sponsor will be most beneficial to the provider.
This page last updated 04/2022.