Implementation of Standard 4

The nutrition standards for meals and snacks served in the CACFP are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, science-based recommendations made by the National Academy of Medicine, cost and practical considerations, and stakeholder input. In addition, the standards encourage breastfeeding to align the CACFP with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The nutrition standards for meals and snacks served in the CACFP are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, science-based recommendations made by the National Academy of Medicine, cost and practical considerations, and stakeholder input. In addition, the standards encourage breastfeeding to align the CACFP with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

The nutrition standards for meals and snacks served in the CACFP are based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, science-based recommendations made by the National Academy of Medicine, cost and practical considerations, and stakeholder input. The standards support the service of a greater variety of vegetables and fruit, whole grains, lean meats/meat alternative, and low-fat and fat-free dairy while minimizing added sugar and saturated fat. In addition, the standards encourage breastfeeding to align the CACFP with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

ECE providers are in a special position to empower young children to learn habits that can keep them healthy for life. ADHS developed the Empower Program in 2010 as a voluntary program to support licensed ECE facilities’ efforts to empower young children to grow up healthy and is based on 10 program standards.