Guidance Memorandum 12C - WI Child Nutrition Programs (FNS)

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Guidance Memorandum 12C: CACFP Meal Pattern RequirementsF. The CACFP Infant Meal PatternA center must follow the Infant Meal Pattern until the infant reaches one year of age; once the infant turns oneyear of age, (s)he must be served meals that follow the CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements – Children (Ages 1through 12).1. Infant Meal ReimbursementIn order to claim infant meals for reimbursement, each meal and snack must contain specific componentsaccording to age group which include iron-fortified infant formula or breast milk, iron-fortified infant cereal,and other foods as shown in the CACFP Infant Meal Pattern chart.Webcast Training: The DPI webcast CACFP Infant Meal Pattern located athttp://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_cntwebcasts explains the CACFP Infant Meal Pattern requirements.2. Definitions from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Infant—A baby from birth through 11 months (any child less than one year of age). Infant Formula—Any iron-fortified infant formula, including soy-based, intended for dietary use solely asa food for normal, healthy infants served in liquid state according to manufacturer’s recommendeddilution. Infant formula labeled low-iron or those specifically formulated for infants with inborn errors ofmetabolism or digestive or absorptive problems do not meet the infant meal pattern requirement. Amedical statement is required in order for the center to serve/claim reimbursement for infant formulasthat do not meet this definition. Infant Cereal—Any iron-fortified dry cereal specially formulated for and generally recognized as cerealfor infants that is routinely mixed with breast milk or iron-fortified infant formula prior to consumption. Developmentally Ready—An infant’s developmental readiness determines which foods should be fed,what texture the foods should be, and which feeding styles to use. All infants develop at their own rate.Although age and size often correspond with developmental readiness, these should not be used assole considerations for deciding what and how to feed infants. It is important to be aware of infants’rapidly developing mouth patterns and hand and body control so you know the appropriate food andtexture to serve them and the appropriate feeding style to use at each stage of their development. Onthe Infant Meal Pattern for ages 4 through 11 months, you will see foods listed under the categoryWhen Developmentally Ready. If an infant is developmentally ready, you must offer these foods to theinfant.3. Purchasing Infant FoodsThe USDA requires that all agencies participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program purchase andprovide at least one infant formula and all infant foods appropriate for the age of the infant according to theInfant Meal Pattern, regardless whether the agency chooses to claim infant meals and snacks forreimbursement. It is recommended to select an infant formula that satisfies the needs of one or more of theinfants in care.4. Infant Meal Notification of Center Provided Formula and Baby FoodsThe attached CACFP Child Participation Form (PI-6077-A) or Infant Meal Notification Letter lets theparent/guardian know the specific brand of infant formula purchased and provided by the center. It alsoprovides official documentation of the parent’s/guardian’s decision to accept or decline the formula and/orinfant foods offered by the center. This document must be completed by the parent/guardian and kept onfile for each infant. Please include a copy of the CACFP Infant Meal Pattern with the CACFP ChildParticipation Form or Infant Meal Notification Letter prior to distributing to parents.5. Parent Provided Infant Formula/Breast MilkThe decision whether to breastfeed an infant or which type of infant formula is best for the infant is one forthe infant’s doctor and parent/guardian to make together. Therefore, parents/guardians may elect to declinethe offered infant formula and supply their own infant formula or breast milk. This must be documented onthe CACFP Child Participation Form or Infant Meal Notification Letter.Infant formula: When parents/guardians supply the infant formula and it is the only item required to beoffered to the infant, those meals/snacks may be claimed for reimbursement. Once the infant isintroduced to semi-solid foods, according to the Infant Meal Pattern, the center must purchase andprovide at least one of the semi-solid foods offered for each meal/snack in order to claim the infant’smeals/snacks for reimbursement.Breast milk: When a mother elects to breastfeed her infant at the center the meals/snacks cannot beclaimed for reimbursement unless the child is also eating semi-solid foods, according to the Infant MealPattern, and the center purchases and offers at least one of the food items. However, if breast milk isRevision Date: 10/14All Guidance Memorandums for the Child Care Component: http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_centermemos2
Guidance Memorandum 12C: CACFP Meal Pattern Requirementsoffered in a bottle by center staff and it is the only item offered to an infant, those meals/snacks may beclaimed for reimbursement.6. Solid Infant FoodsThe decision to begin offering an infant solid food should be made by the infant’s doctor andparent/guardian. When the infant is 4 through 7 months old and developmentally ready for solid foods,those foods listed on the Infant Meal Pattern under When Developmentally Ready must be served to theinfant. Infants 8 through 11 months are able to eat a wider variety of solid foods as listed on the Infant MealPattern. If a parent brings in solid foods for their infant the meal can be claimed only when the meal meetsthe Infant Meal Pattern requirements and the center purchases and serves at least one of the food itemsaccording to the Infant Meal Pattern.A center may puree/grind regular food to the appropriate texture for infants. When doing so, a center mustfollow sanitary food preparation and safe food handling procedures for preparing infant food. Commercialbaby food may also be purchased, but must be in single components. For example, mixed fruits andvegetables can be purchased together in one jar, but meat/meat alternates, grains, and/or fruits/vegetablesmixed together in one jar are not creditable.Resources for Information on Creditable Infant Foods:- Crediting Infant Foods (from What’s in a Meal):http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/fns/pdf/credit_infant_foods.pdf- Infant Cereal Recipes: http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/fns/pdf/ific_recipes.pdf- Listing of Creditable Bread and Crackers for 8-11 Month Old Infants:http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/fns/pdf/gm_12_bread_crackers.pdfWebcast Training: The DPI webcast Creditable CACFP Infant Foods located athttp://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_cntwebcasts explains what infant foods are creditable according to the CACFPrequirements.7. Infant Meal RecordsInfant meal records must be maintained to document foods offered to infants and to determine which mealsare reimbursable. Foods provided by both the center and the parents must be documented. Record thetype and amount of food offered to each infant (birth through 11 months) by appropriate age category (Birththrough 3 Months, 4 Months through 7 Months, 8 Months through 11 Months) using the attached InfantMeal Record forms or other DPI-approved infant records.Agencies approved to claim greater than three meals must use the Infant Greater than Three Meal Recordforms found under Guidance Memorandum 12C, the Infants section, on the Center Guidance Memorandumwebsite (printed on the page footer, below).Webcast Training: The DPI webcast Claiming CACFP Infant Meals located athttp://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_cntwebcasts explains how to properly document infant meals on the Infant MealRecord forms for claiming them for reimbursement.Infants ages 8 through 11 months who are no longer following the Infant Meal Pattern andconsuming all table foods, including whole fluid milk and/or adult cereals and foods for breakfast,must have a signed medical statement on file stating these foods are appropriate. In this situation thecomplete CACFP meal pattern for 1-12 year olds must be met for each meal that is claimed. The infant canthen be counted in the regular meal counts and included on production records. Infant meal records neednot be completed for these infants.G. The CACFP Meal Pattern for Children ages 1 through 12 (and Older Participants Served in EmergencyShelters and At-risk Afterschool Programs)1. Meal ReimbursementIn order to claim meals for reimbursement, each meal and snack must contain specific componentsaccording to the attached CACFP Meal Pattern Requirements – Children (Ages 1 through 12) andAttachment A Alternate Protein Products.Webcast Training: The DPI webcast CACFP Meal Pattern located at http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_cntwebcastsexplains the CACFP Meal Pattern requirements for 1-12 year olds.2. MilkFluid milk served to children who are two years of age and older must be fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) milk.Whole milk and reduced-fat (2%) milk cannot be served to children two years of age and older asRevision Date: 10/14All Guidance Memorandums for the Child Care Component: http://fns.dpi.wi.gov/fns_centermemos3
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Guidance Memorandum 12C - WI Child Nutrition Programs (FNS)

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