These worksheets can be used to empower Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) providers and operators with the knowledge, skills and expertise to implement CACFP meal pattern requirements. Download the print version for a fillable worksheet.
CACFP operators may serve single-serving or snack-sized packages of grain items, such as breakfast cereals or whole grain crackers to meet grains requirements at snacks and meals.
In the CACFP, the minimum required amounts for grains are listed in the meal pattern as ounce equivalents (oz. eq.). Ounce equivalents tell you the amount of grains in a portion of food.
How much is 1 Ounce Equivalent?
0.8 ounce (22 grams) of Cheese Crackers
= 1 oz. eq. of grains
1 ounce (28 grams) of Toasted O's Cereal
= 1 oz. eq. of grains
2 ounces (55 grams) of Blueberry Muffin
= 1 oz. eq. of grains
Using the Grains Measuring Chart for Single-Serving Packages
To see how many single-serving packages of grains are needed to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements, follow the steps below:
- Look at the Grains Measuring Chart for Single-Serving Packages and find the item you are serving under the “Grain Item and Package Weight” column. Grain items are listed in alphabetical order. If the item is not listed, see “What If My Grain is Different?”
- Each item on the chart lists a minimum package weight by the name of the item. Look at the package you are serving and find its weight listed on the Nutrition Facts label or on the front of the package. Check that the package weighs the same as, or more than, the weight listed on the chart.
- Look at the chart and find the column for the age group of your participants and the meal or snack you are serving. This column lists the number of packages you need to serve to meet the CACFP meal pattern requirement for grains. You may serve more than this amount.
| Grain Item and Package Weight* | Child and Adult Care Food Program Age Group and Meal | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1- through 5-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack | 6- through 18-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snackbr> Adults at Snack | Adults at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper |
| Serve at least ½ oz. eq., which equals about… | Serve at least 1 oz. eq., which equals about… | Serve at least 2 oz. eq., which equals about… | |
| Bagel Chips at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Cereal, Ready-to-Eat, All Types** at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Corn Chips at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Crackers, Savory (e.g., cheese, saltines, whole-wheat, etc.) at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Crackers, Sweet (e.g., animal, graham, etc.) at least 28 grahams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Croissant at least 34 grams or 1.2 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Grits, Dry at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Muffin, All Types (except corn) at least 55 grams or 2 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Muffin, Corn at least 34 grams or 1.2 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Oatmeal, Dry (unflavored or flavored)** at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Pita Chips at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Pretzels, Hard*** at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Popcorn*** at least 14 grams or 0.5 ounce | 1 package | 2 packages | 4 packages |
| Rice Cakes at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
| Tortilla Chips at least 28 grams or 1 ounce | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
*Check that the package you want to serve weighs this amount, or more. See “Finding the Weight of Single-Serving Packages” for more information.
**Must contain no more than 6 grams of added sugars per dry ounce.
***Choking hazard for children under the age of 4.
All grains served in the CACFP must be whole grain-rich, enriched, or fortified.
Finding the Weight of Single-Serving Packages
All items in the Grains Measuring Chart list weights by the name of the item. Follow the steps below to see if the package of grains you want to serve meets the minimum weight listed in the chart.
- Find the grain item and the package weight in the Grains Measuring Chart. For example, a package of hard pretzels must weigh at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces.
| Grain Item and Package Weight | 1- through 5-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack | 6- through 18-year-olds at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper, Snack | Adults at Breakfast, Lunch, Supper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Serve at least ½ oz. eq., which equals about… | Serve at least 1 oz. eq., which equals about… | Serve at least 2 oz. eq., which equals about… | |
| Pretzel, Hard at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces | ½ package | 1 package | 2 packages |
- Look at the Nutrition Facts label of the item you are serving. Find the serving size and make sure that it is listed as “1 package” or other similar wording. If the serving size is not listed as 1 package, look for the weight of one package on the front of the package, as shown in the picture below. If the weight of one package is shown on the front of the package, go to Step 4. If the serving size is not 1 package, and the weight of the package is not on the front of the package, see “What If My Grain Is Different?”
- Find the weight of one package. In this example, one package of Brand P hard pretzels weighs 28 grams. If the weight of one package is not written on the Nutrition Facts label, look for the weight on the front of the package.
- Compare the weight of one package to the weight listed in the Grains Measuring Chart. Is this package weight the same as, or heavier than, the weight listed in the Grains Measuring Chart?
Yes: Use the Grains Measuring Chart to see how many packages you need to serve to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements.
In this example, a package of hard pretzels must weigh at least 22 grams or 0.8 ounces to use the Grains Measuring Chart. Because 1 package of Brand P hard pretzels weighs 28 grams, you may use the row for “Pretzels, Hard” in the chart to see how many packages of Brand P hard pretzels are needed to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements.
No: Use another method to determine how many packages you need to serve to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements. See “What if My Grain Is Different?”
What If My Grain Is Different?
If the package of grains you are serving:
- is lighter in weight than the item listed in the Grains Measuring Chart, or
- is not listed on the Grains Measuring Chart,
you will need to use another method to determine how many packages are needed to meet CACFP meal pattern requirements. To do this, you could:
- Use the Food Buying Guide for Child Nutrition Programs (FBG) Exhibit A Grains Tool.
- Use Team Nutrition's Calculating Ounce Equivalents for Grains in the CACFP worksheet.
- Contact your state agency or sponsoring organization for assistance.
Are There Other Menu Planning Considerations?
If you serve a package that weighs more than what is listed on the Grains Measuring Chart, then you might serve more grains than required by the CACFP meal pattern. The serving amounts listed in the meal pattern are minimums, so you are allowed to serve more than that amount. However, the tools described under “What If My Grain Is Different?” can also help you determine how much of an item is needed to meet the meal pattern requirements without serving more than what is required. Work with your vendors to purchase single-serving packages of grains that provide the right amount for your participants.