The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) recently published transitional nutrition standards for milk, whole grains, and sodium for the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the School Nutrition Programs (SNP). The standards are published in the Federal Register, Child Nutrition Programs: Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium.

The only standard that is applicable to the CACFP is the allowance of 1 percent flavored milk for adults and for children ages six years and older. The California Healthy Beverages in Child Care Act does not allow flavored beverages to be served to children of any age in licensed centers and homes. Therefore, in California, this new standard to allow 1 percent flavored milk in the CACFP only affects adults and children ages six years and older in unlicensed facilities.

The final rule, which is effective July 1, 2022, provides CACFP and SNP Operators with the certainty they need for planning in upcoming years, while FNS works collaboratively on permanent standards that will build on the progress that has been made over the past decade. The transitional standards will continue to promote nutrition while reflecting the current realities and challenges Child Nutrition Programs are facing.

The FNS welcomes written comments on the provisions of this final rule by March 24, 2022. Details on submitting written comments are available on the Federal Register, Child Nutrition Programs: Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium web page.

Additional information about this topic is available on the USDA FNS Building Back Better with School Meals web page.

Webinar

The USDA FNS will host a webinar for CACFP and SNP Operators on the Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium. Details on the webinar are below.

• Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2022
• Time: 11:00-12:00 Pacific Standard Time 
• Access the webinar at: 
  • Zoom link to Webinar CACFP and SNP Operators on Transitional Standards for Milk, Whole Grains, and Sodium 
  • Use Passcode: 903860