Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Meal Patterns & Menu Planning

Information and resources on the federally mandated meal patterns, menu planning options, and meal documentation requirements for all child nutrition programs.

Child and Adult Care Food Program

Infant Nutrition Resources
Guidance and resources for child care agencies and school districts serving meals to infants in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child Nutrition Programs.

CACFP Meal Pattern
Includes meal patterns (MP), upcoming workshop and conference information, online courses, resources, policy guidance, compliance, frequently asked questions, and contact information for CACFP program operators.

Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodation (DOC)
CNP 925 - This form is used by parents/guardians to have a medical authority prescribe special meals or accommodations during meals.
Available translations of the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations for Child Nutrition Programs (Dated Aug-2017)

School Nutrition Programs

Infant Nutrition Resources
Guidance and resources for child care agencies and school districts serving meals to infants in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations (DOC)
CNP 925 - This form is used by parents/guardians to have a medical authority prescribe special meals or accommodations during meals.
Available translations of the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations for Child Nutrition Programs (Dated Aug-2017)

Menu Planning and Production Record Forms
Forms used to determine the amount of food to serve for menu production.

School Menu Planning Options
Information and resources on the new Food-Based Menu Planning (FBMP) approach for the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and current menu planning for the School Breakfast Program (SBP).

Summer Food Service Program

Infant Nutrition Resources
Guidance and resources for child care agencies and school districts serving meals to infants in the USDA Child Nutrition Programs.

Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodation (DOC)
CNP 925 - This form is used by parents/guardians to have a medical authority prescribe special meals or accommodations during meals.
Available translations of the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations for Child Nutrition Programs (Dated Aug-2017)

Nutrition Requirements External link opens in new window or tab.
USDA information and resources on the menu planning, preparation documentation, and MP for sponsors participating in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Questions:   Education and Nutrition Policy Unit | HHFKA@cde.ca.gov | 800-952-5609
Last Reviewed: Monday, December 17, 2018
Share this Page
Share via Email icon Share with Twitter icon Share with Facebook icon Share with LinkedIn icon Share via Link icon
Related Content
  • Child & Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
    Information about meal programs offered at public and private child care centers, day care homes, adult day care centers, and homeless shelters under CACFP.
  • Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education
    Information about improving nutrition and establishing healthy eating habits in school, child care, adult and after school settings.
  • School Nutrition
    Meal and milk programs offered at public and private non-profit schools and residential child care institutions.
  • Summer Meal Programs
    Federal meal programs for children from low-income areas during vacation and off-track periods.
Trending in Nutrition
Recently Posted in Nutrition
  • DoD Allocation Schedule/List (added 21-Jun-2019)
    Department of Defense (DoD) offering schedule for United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foods delivered from the State Distribution Centers (SDC) with allocations and estimated fair market values. Prices are subject to change.
  • SNP Professional Standards: Job Categories (added 19-Jun-2019)
    The School Nutrition Programs Professional Standards: Job Categories online training course.
  • 2019–20 DCH Expansion Funds RFA (added 10-Jun-2019)
    Management Bulletin CACFP-07-2019: 2019–20 Day Care Home Expansion Funds Request for Applications.
  • Civil Rights and Complaints (added 30-May-2019)
    The Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights and Complaints online training.
  • Plant-Based Meal Options in CNPs (updated 24-May-2019)
    Includes definitions, background, health benefit information, how to take action, resources, online trainings, and policy guidance for program operators participating in the Child Nutrition Programs and interested in offering plant-based meals.