Food and Nutrition Service

More training, menu planning, and nutrition education materials for the 

CACFP can be found at https://teamnutrition.usda.gov.

Serving Snacks in the 

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Snacks can be a great way to give Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) participants the nutrients 

and energy they need between meals. Reimbursable snacks in the CACFP contain foods from two of the 

five food components: 

Sample Snack Menu

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Water

Sugar Snap Peas 

With Low-Fat Dip

String Cheese

Blueberry 

Smoothie

Whole-Wheat 

Crackers

Milk

Water

Berries 

Low-Fat Yogurt

Carrots With 

Hummus

100% Apple Juice

Vegetables

+

Meats/Meat

Alternates Fruits

+ Milk Grains+ Milk Fruits

+

Meats/Meat

Alternates Vegetables

+ Fruits

Milk Fruits

! Note: Water is not considered a food component in the CACFP. However, you should offer and 

make water available to participants throughout the day. Water is a great choice at snacks when milk 

is not offered.

Vegetables Grains

Meats/Meat

Alternates
Minimum Serving Sizes at Snack

Choose two different food components for a reimbursable snack. See below for minimum serving sizes for each 

food component at snack. You can serve more than the amount listed. 

Minimum Serving Sizes at Snack

Age Group

Food 

Component Ages 1-2 years 

and 3-5 years

Ages 6-12 years 

and 13-18 years

Adults Keep in Mind

Serve at least...

Milk

1⁄2 cup 1 cup 1 cup See “Serving Milk in the CACFP” 

at https://teamnutrition.usda.gov

for more information. 

Vegetables

1⁄2 cup 3⁄4 cup 1⁄2 cup Raw leafy vegetables credit for half 

of the amount served. 

For example, 1 cup of raw spinach 

credits as a 1⁄2 cup of vegetables. 

Fruits

1⁄2 cup 3⁄4 cup 1⁄2 cup Dried fruit credits for double the 

amount served. 

For example, 1⁄4 cup of raisins 

credit as a 1⁄2 cup of fruit. 

Meats/Meat 

Alternates

1⁄2 oz eq 1 oz eq 1 oz eq Nuts and seeds may be used 

to meet the full meats/meat 

alternates requirement at snack. 

Grains

1⁄2 oz eq 1 oz eq 1 oz eq Grain-based desserts, such as 

cereal bars, granola bars, and 

toaster pastries, cannot count 

toward a reimbursable meal or snack 

in the CACFP. See “Grain-Based 

Desserts in the CACFP” at 

https://teamnutrition.usda.gov

for more information. 

If snack is the only CACFP meal 

provided, any grains served must 

be whole grain-rich. See “Adding 

Grains to Your CACFP Menu” at 

https://teamnutrition.usda.gov

for more information. 

! Oz eq = Ounce Equivalent 

-2-

Age Group
Shelf-Stable Snacks

Looking for snacks that do not require refrigeration? Here are some ideas:

! *A Product Formulation Statement is needed for crediting.

**Cereals must meet the CACFP sugar limit.

• Applesauce, Shelf-Stable Cups

• Beef Jerky*

• Dried Fruit (such as raisins, dried cranberries, etc.)

• Fruit Cups, Shelf-Stable

• Juice (100%)

• Milk, Shelf-Stable

• Popcorn

• Sunflower Seed or Nut Butter

• Whole Fruit (such as bananas, oranges, etc.)

• Whole Grain-Rich Breads, Cereals,** 

Crackers, or Tortillas

Planning Snacks for Different Age Groups 

• Some foods, like popcorn and surimi seafood, require a larger amount of food to credit toward a food component. 

This amount may help older children feel full, but may be too much for younger children. You can find food 

crediting information in the Food Buying Guide at: https://foodbuyingguide.fns.usda.gov.

• Consider participants’ ability to chew and swallow foods 

safely when preparing snacks. Cutting raw fruits and 

vegetables into pieces can make them easier to eat.

• If serving children 4 years and younger, you can help 

reduce the risk of choking by:

 ̊ Cutting round, soft foods, like cherry tomatoes 

and grapes, into small pieces no larger than 

one-half inch (1⁄2”). 

 ̊ Cooking food until it is slightly soft.

 ̊ Spreading nut or seed butters thinly, or thinning nut 

butters before serving. 

 ̊ Avoiding foods that may pose a choking risk, such as 

popcorn, dried meats, dried fruit, and nuts. 

-3-
FNS-859 March 2020 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Try It Out!

Use the information on this worksheet to answer the following questions.

1

2

3

Margaret works in an afterschool program and serves only an afternoon snack in the 

CACFP. She wants to serve diced peaches and whole grain-rich crackers. Is this a 

reimbursable snack?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Answers:

Yes, diced peaches and whole grain-rich crackers are a reimbursable snack. Because this center only 1. 

serves one CACFP meal per day, any grains served must be whole grain-rich. 

No, this snack is not reimbursable. Although the raisins count toward the fruits component, the cereal 1. 

bars are a grain-based dessert and cannot count toward a reimbursable meal or snack in the CACFP. 

Yes, carrot and apple slaw can be served as a reimbursable snack. Isabella should make sure there 2. 

are enough carrots in each serving to meet the minimum serving amount for vegetables (1⁄2 cup), and 

enough apples to meet the minimum serving amount for fruit (1⁄2 cup) for adults. 

José wants to serve a fruit and a grain for snack. He picks a fig cereal bar and 

raisins. Is this a reimbursable snack? 

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Isabella wants to make carrot and apple slaw to serve to adult participants at snack. 

Is this a reimbursable snack?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

-4-