Download Child Care Food Program Provider Handbook

2014
Child Care Food Program
Provider Handbook
4C Santa Clara County
150 River Oaks Parkway
Suite F1
San Jose, CA 95134
(408) 487-0747
www.4C.org
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................................................... 2
BENEFITS OF 4CS FOOD PROGRAM ................................................................................................. 2
HOW TO PARTICIPATE ........................................................................................................................ 2
FOOD SAFETY AND SANITATION ..................................................................................................... 2
MEAL TIME AND SERVICES ................................................................................................................. 3
MEAL SERVICE AND EATING ENVIRONMENT .............................................................................. 4
NUTRITION POLICIES ........................................................................................................................... 5
CHOKING HAZARDS .............................................................................................................................. 9
MEALS THAT MAY NOT BE CLAIMED ............................................................................................ 10
INFANT FOOD........................................................................................................................................ 10
INFANT MEAL PATTERN ................................................................................................................... 13
MEAL PATTERN FOR OLDER CHILDREN ...................................................................................... 14
CLAIM ERRORS ..................................................................................................................................... 17
SITE VISITS ............................................................................................................................................ 17
INTENDED ABSENCES/TEMPORARY CLOSURE ......................................................................... 18
ENROLLING CHILDREN IN THE FOOD PROGRAM ..................................................................... 18
RECORDKEEPING: MENUS AND ATTENDANCE .......................................................................... 22
SUBMITTING YOUR CLAIM ............................................................................................................... 23
REIMBURSEMENT................................................................................................................................ 23
CIVIL RIGHTS ........................................................................................................................................ 25
ANNUAL CACFP TRAININGS ............................................................................................................. 25
SERIOUS DEFICIENCY ......................................................................................................................... 26
~1~
Introduction
4C’s of Santa Clara County sponsors the Child and Adult Care Food Program. CACFP provides
aid to child day care homes for the provision of nutritious foods that contribute to the wellness,
healthy growth, and development of young children. The reimbursements make the cost of day
care more affordable for many lower income families. Health and safety standards, training, and
monitoring make CACFP an important component of quality child care, especially in family day
care homes. Through CACFP, more than 3.3 million children receive nutritious meals and
snacks each day as part of the day care they receive.
Benefits of 4Cs Food Program
1) By participating, the parents do not have to bring lunches and snacks and they are
guaranteed well balanced meals and snacks are served to their kids
2) Reimbursements help you recover some of the food costs
3) Quarterly newsletters keep you informed of program updates and provide you with
nutrition information.
How to Participate
To join the Food Program, you must be a licensed or trustlined day care provider, have children
already in your care, and have computer and internet access. If you are interested in the
program, visit our website to request an appointment at www.4c.org/provider/participate/food or
call 408-457-3149 and our friendly staff will answer any question you have or arrange an
appointment with you in your day care at your convenience.
Food Safety and Sanitation
Day care providers participating in the food program are expected to follow a high level of safety
and sanitation when it comes to food preparation and serving meals.
Keep cold foods in the refrigerator until it is time to serve them.
Freezing food does not kill bacteria like cooking does. When frozen food is thawed, any
bacteria that is in the food will begin to grow. Food should never be left out at room temperature
to thaw. Proper ways to thaw food include:
1)
2)
3)
4)
Refrigeration: move food from freezer to refrigerator
Running water: Submerge food under running cool water
Microwave: Defrost food right before cooking the food
Cooking: Thaw food as part of the cooking process
~2~
Cooling Leftovers
When you have leftovers from a meal you cooked, you must cool it quickly so it will be safe to
eat later on. The thicker or denser the food is, the more time it will take to cool. Divide the
leftovers into smaller, shallow pans to let them cool quicker. You should never place large
amounts of hot food in a refrigerator. Refrigerators are meant to keep cold food cold, not to cool
hot food. It could bring up the temperature inside the refrigerator and other food stored in there
could become unsafe to eat. If leftovers are not used within 1 week, it should be thrown out.
The following sanitation rules must be followed at serving time to reduce the risk of
contamination.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Children wash their hands before and after eating.
Floors, tables and chairs and high chairs are clean and dry.
Books, toys and other materials are absent from the table when children eat.
Silverware and serving utensils are placed on the tables in a manner that prevents
contamination and ensures that they are being picked up by handles.
Utensils instead of hands are used to serve food.
Cloths, sponges, or paper towels are located near tables to clean up spills where children
eat their meals.
The cloths or sponges used for wiping food spills on tables are used for no other purpose.
Sanitary cloths or sponges are used to wipe on tables.
In the serving area, trash cans are lined and covered with tight fitting lids.
The use of insect sprays is avoided where food and tableware are exposed and where
children are present..
Pets (birds, cats and dogs) are kept away from the kitchen and serving areas.
Hands are washed before food preparation and serving and as needed throughout the process.
Proper hand-washing procedures are followed:
• hands are thoroughly washed and lathered with soap
• hands are rubbed together for about 20 seconds
• hands are thoroughly rinsed
• hands are dried with a clean cloth or paper towel
Meal Time and Services
The meal spacing policy of the CACFP requires meals to be served during the following times:
Breakfast: Day Care opening -8:45 a.m,
Lunch: 11:00 a.m-1:15 p.m. and
Dinner: 4:00 p.m - 6:45 p.m.
~3~
Space your meals and snacks out so that there is a minimum of a 2 hour gap between main meal
and snack and a minimum of 3 hour gap between two main meals. An example of an acceptable
Meal Schedule is Breakfast at 8:30 am, Snack at 10:30am, Lunch at 12:30pm, Snack at 3:00pm
and Dinner at 5:00pm. You should serve your meal within 15 minutes of your scheduled time in
order for it to be reimbursable (Example: if your lunch is scheduled at noon, serve it between
11:45am and 12:15 pm).
Children must be present according to in/out times for at least 10 minutes of a snack, and at least
20 minutes of a meal.
Meals and snacks that are served during “field trips” are reimbursable as long as they still meet
all other CACFP requirements. The provider should tell their site monitor if they plan to be
away from home during the meal service time frame. If the site monitor shows up at the day care
and the provider is not present for the meal or snack, it will be disallowed. This allows the site
monitors to plan their visit efficiently.
Meal Service and Eating Environment
Although meals can be served in different ways, family style meals are highly recommended.
This is when everyone, including the adults, sit down together and eat the same meal. Food is
placed on the table in serving bowls with utensils and it is passed from one person to another.
There is enough food for all and each person serves themselves and received help if needed.
This is an important part of child development where the child learns motor skills, portion sizes,
cooperation, and table manners.
Children eat better in the right environment with the right equipment. For more successful
mealtimes, avoid distractions by having meals take place away from high traffic areas and
turning off Television or other screen time activities. Meal time is a great opportunity to build
relationships and interact with each other.
The table should be mid-chest high for children when seated and the chairs should be low
enough so their feet touch the floor. Children need enough space at the table for serving, passing
and eating comfortably. Eating utensils should be child-size with comfortable handles.
Its important to know that both adults and children have roles in making mealtime successful.
According to Ellyn Satter, registered dietitian and author, mealtime responsibilities should be
assigned to parent/caregiver and the child.
Adults are responsible for:
•What foods are offered
•When foods are offered
•Where meals and snacks take place
Children are responsible for:
•Whether they eat anything at all
•How much to eat if they do eat
~4~
You may talk about the food’s color, texture, size, shape, and aroma to engage and encourage the
child to eat, but never bribe, coerce or force the child to eat. This can lead to power struggles
and eating issues later in life. Offer them healthy options in a safe environment at appropriate
times and let the child decide if and how much to eat of the foods you provided.
Nutrition Policies
Variety is key in nutrition. The same menus cannot be claimed for the same child on the same
day at different meals. As part of their development, children benefit from new food
experiences. Sometimes they need repeat exposure to food to get used to them. Do not force
children to try new foods, just continue to offer it to them and let them decide if and when they
are ready to try it.
Juice
Only 100% juice is reimbursable. Juice served as a fruit/vegetable alternate during lunch or
dinner is not reimbursable. Best practice is to serve 100% juice no more than two times per
week during snack times. Offer fresh fruit which is a great alternative to fruit juice. When 2
reimbursable meal components are served for snack, water can be served as a healthy beverage.
Juice cannot be served when milk is served as the only other component for snacks.
Milk
For children aged 2 years and above, only 1% milk (low-fat milk) or non-fat milk (fat free milk)
must be served. Whole milk and reduced fat milk (2% milk) may not be served to children over
two years of age unless a medical statement signed by a recognized medical authority allows it.
Please down load the form from the 4C website www.4c.org. Meals that contain 2% or whole
milk for children over 2 years without a medical statement will be disallowed.
Non-dairy milk substitutions (like soy milk) in lieu of cow’s milk is allowed if parents or
guardians of the day care child submits a Parental Request for a fluid milk substitution, without
providing a medical statement from a medical authority. The written request must identify the
special dietary need that requires a cow’s milk substitution. Non-dairy milk substitutes must be
nutritionally equivalent to milk and meet the nutritional standards for calcium, protein, Vitamin
A, Vitamin D and other nutrients found in cow’s milk as outlined in 7 CFR 210.10(m)(3). Please
contact your Food Program site monitor for a parental request form and a list of milks that meet
the nutrient standards outlined in 7 CFR 210.10(m)(3).
If the parent refers to bring their own organic cow’s milk for the child to drink, the parent may
fill out a Decline Provider’s Food form stating they prefer to provide their own organic milk to
the child. The provider can still claim the meal as long as they provide the rest of the meal
components.
~5~
Water
Throughout the day, including at meal times, water should be made available to children to drink
upon their request. While drinking water may be made available to children during meal times, it
is not part of the reimbursable meal and may not be served in lieu of milk. During meal times, if
a child requests water, it should be given in a separate cup from the milk so that milk is also
served.
Meat and Meat Alternates
Processed Meats and CN Labels : The USDA requires that providers who are serving processed
meats should verify if those products are CN labeled. It is recommended to serve processed
meats no more than one time per week or none at all.
Products eligible for CN labels:
Main dish products which contribute to the meat/
meat alternates component of the meal
pattern requirements. Some examples include
chicken nuggets, breaded chicken portions/patties,
cheese or meat pizzas (both frozen and
commercial), meat or cheese and bean burritos,
chicken or beef taquitos, corn dogs, egg rolls, etc.
These products served with no CN Label are not
creditable.
Identifying a CN labeled product:
A CN labeled product will always contain the following:
1.
The CN logo, which is a distinct border.
2.
The meal pattern contribution requirement.
Binders and Extenders in Processed Meats: Cooked, cured meat and/or poultry sausages served
should not contain any by- products, cereals, binders or extenders. Examples of these products
include bologna, frankfurters, knockwurst and Vienna sausage as listed in the Food Buying
Guide for Child Nutrition Programs under the Meat/ Meat Alternates section. Examples of
binders/extenders include soy flour, starchy vegetable flour, calcium reduced dried skim milk,
soy protein concentrate, cereal, isolated soy protein, dried milk, and carrageenan. These items
can be identified in the ingredient label of the product.
Shelf Stable Dried Meat Snacks:
Shelf stable dried meat, poultry and seafood snacks are not reimbursable meat alternates.
Examples include:
a)
smoked snack sticks made with beef and chicken
b)
pepperoni and pepperoni sticks
c)
meat, poultry or seafood jerky
d)
meat or poultry nuggets such as turkey nuggets
~6~
e)
Summer sausage
These shelf stable dried meat snacks do not qualify for the CN Label.
Fish Sticks
Fish sticks containing minced fish are not reimbursable. Check for the term minced fish on the
ingredient label.
Dried Beans or Peas
Dried beans or dried peas may be used as a meat alternate or as a vegetable component: but
cannot be counted as both components in the same meal.
Nuts, Nut Butters and Seeds
• During lunch/dinner, peanut butter or other nut butters, nuts or seeds served as a meat alternate
should be combined with another meat alternate to fulfill the requirement.
Yogurt
• If yogurt is used as a meat component in snacks, milk cannot be used to satisfy the second
component requirement.
• Commercially added fruit in flavored yogurt cannot be used to satisfy the second component
requirement in snacks.
• Only commercially prepared yogurt is reimbursable, home-made yogurt is not. Commercially
prepared yogurt must contain live and active cultures.
Cheese
• Any cheese item labeled imitation cheese or cheese product is not creditable towards meal
pattern requirements. Item labeled cheese food is reimbursable.
• Cheese singles that say cheese product are not reimbursable. It is recommended to serve cut
portions from blocks of cheese or pre-cut sliced cheese.
Breads/Bread Alternates
• Foods that qualify as grains/breads in the CACFP should be made from enriched or whole grain
or from enriched or whole-grain meal or flour. This must also be the first ingredient on the
ingredient label of the food item. For example, whole wheat bread should have whole wheat
flour or 100% whole wheat flour listed as the first ingredient in the ingredient label. MAKE AT
LEAST HALF YOUR GRAINS WHOLE!
• Corn items like taco shell, corn tortillas should also be made either from enriched or whole
corn.
• Serve ready to eat cereals with less than 6 grams of sugar per serving. Some examples are Kix,
Life, Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats.
• Limit cookies and sweet snack items to no more than 2 times per week.
~7~
Non-Reimbursable Food List
Non-reimbursable Foods
Bacon/Bacon Substitutes
Ketchup
Chips, potato chips, cheese puffs
Chocolate dairy drink, Cocoa Mix
Coconut
Cranberry juice cocktails
Cream, Half and Half
Cream Cheese
Custard
Evaporated Milk
Gelatin; Jell-O
Hominy
Ice Cream, ice milk, and sherbet
Jelly, Jam and preserves
Kool-aid, lemonade, nectar, Tang, fruit punch
Pickle relish
Popcorn, caramel corn
Popsicles
Powdered cheese in boxed macaroni and cheese
Pudding, pudding pops
Soups commercially made (canned soups)
Sour Cream
Tapioca
Tofu
Raw sprouts, alfalfa, clover, radish, bean sprouts
Reasons
Largely fat; contains little lean meat
High in salt and sugar
High in salt and fat; low in nutrients
Does not say milk on the label
High in saturated fat
Not full strength juice; high sugar/water content
High in fat
Contains little protein; high in fat
High in sugar and fat
High in sugar; not nutritionally equivalent
High in sugar; has few nutrients
Contains little protein
High in sugar and fat; not nutritionally equivalent
High in sugar
Water & Sugar content high; not full strength
juice
High in salt; equivalent serving size too large
Not nutritionally equivalent to bread
High in sugar/water; must be 100% fruit juice to
qualify
Not nutritionally equivalent
High in sugar
Contains little protein; may be counted toward
satisfying fruit/vegetable requirement only
High in fat; serving size too large
Not nutritionally equivalent
No standard of identity; the product may vary
with manufacturer
Potential for food borne illnesses
Non-Reimbursable foods for Infants
Commercial baby food Dinners
Meat sticks or finger sticks
Iron-fortified dry infant cereals containing fruit
Ready to eat breakfast cereals (i.e. Cheerios)
Contains little protein
Could present a choking risk in infants
Not enough cereal
Not enough iron
Allow for Snacks Only
Cupcake, Coffee cakes
Pretzels
Rice Pudding/bread pudding
Cookies-twice a week
Corn chips, tortilla chips
Bread alternate
Bread alternate
Bread alternate
Bread alternate; must have enriched flour as the
first ingredient
Bread alternate
~8~
Choking Hazards
Some foods are easy for infants and toddlers under 4 years of age to choke on when
swallowing them. Specifically, foods that are round and about the size of a nickel are
choking hazards. Prevent choking by avoiding these foods or cutting them in small piecesno larger than one-quarter inch (1/4”).
Foods that may be choking hazards:
•
Peanuts, other nuts and seeds (Not recommended for children under 6 years of age)
•
Nut butters
•
Whole grapes, berries and cherries
•
Round slices of hot dogs or sausages
•
Raisins and other dried fruit
•
Cherry or grape tomatoes
•
Large pieces of raw fruits and vegetables
•
Carrot sticks or baby carrots
•
Whole beans
•
Popcorn and cooked or raw whole kernel corn
•
Chips, Pretzels
•
Chunks of cheese or meat
•
Tough meat
•
Hard and sticky candy
•
Whole pieces of canned fruit
•
Chewing gum, marshmallows and jelly beans
•
Bones in fish /fish sticks
To Prevent Choking:
•
Have the toddler eat at the table, or at least while sitting down. Do not let the child
run, walk, play, or lie down with food in their mouth.
•
Keep a watchful eye on your child while he or she eats.
•
Cut food for your toddler into pieces no larger than one-quarter inch (1/4”), and
teach them to chew their food well.
•
Slice hot dogs and sausages lengthwise and not in rounds and then into smaller
pieces no larger than one-quarter inch (or) substitute such foods with a safe substitute such
as cooked, thinly sliced or smaller cut portions of meat instead of hot dogs.
•
Cut meat and chicken across the grain into small pieces.
•
Slice grapes, cherry tomatoes, and other round foods in half lengthwise and then into
quarters.
•
Cook carrots or celery sticks until slightly soft, grate them, or cut them into small
pieces or thin “matchsticks.”
•
Spread peanut butter thinly on bread or crackers. A thick “glob” of peanut butter can
cause choking.
•
Remove all bone from fish, chicken and meat before cooking.
•
Remove seeds and pits from fruit.
~9~
Meals that MAY NOT be claimed
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Meals served to any child who is not enrolled in the care of the home
Meals served in excess of 2 meals and 1 snack or 2 snacks and 1 meal
Meal types that are not approved in the home’s agreement with 4Cs
Meals served to more children than license capacity allows
Meals that do not meet the meal pattern requirements
Meals claimed to children that do not match with child’s attendance record and/or do not
match the child’s enrollment forms.
7) Meals served to provider’s own children unless they have been determined to be eligible
8) Meals served to provider’s own children when no other enrolled children are participating
Infant Food
Providers must follow the USDA guidelines listed below for serving infant meals. Feed infants
when they seem to be hungry, the meal times for the other children in the day care do not need to
be followed. Never force a baby to finish the bottle. Avoid feeding solid foods before the baby
is developmentally ready. Never put infant cereal in the bottle
Breast Milk
Meals containing only breast milk may be claimed for reimbursement. The breast milk must be
pumped from the mother of the infant. If the mother comes to the day care to breastfeed her
infant, this meal is NOT reimbursable if the breast milk is the only meal component. Breast milk
should be clearly labeled with the child’s name and date and time the milk was expressed, then
stored in the refrigerator or freezer. It is recommended that breast milk be served in place of
formula from birth through the 1st birthday. Formula may be served in addition to breast milk.
Formula
Infant formulas must be iron fortified. The provider must provider one type of formula, although
the parent may decline and bring their own formula, as long as they sign a decline form. Please
see the following website for a complete list of reimbursable infant formulas. Any formula that
is not on that list requires a medical statement.
http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/care/regs-policy/infantmeals/formulalist.htm
Solids
1. Fruits and Vegetables
a. Reimbursable: Commercial baby food fruits/vegetables that list fruit or vegetable
as the first ingredient (can be single or mixed fruit or vegetable)
b. Not Reimbursable: Commercial baby food
i. dinners which list fruit/vegetable as the first ingredient
ii. in the jarred cereal with fruit category
iii. in the dessert or pudding categories
iv. fruit or vegetable in which water is the first ingredient
v. fruit or vegetable containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
~ 10 ~
Meat/Meat Alternates
1. Reimbursable
a. Commercial plain strained baby food meats
b. Gerber 2nd Foods (i.e., Beef and Beef Gravy)
2. Not Reimbursable
a. Commercial baby food combination dinners
b. Meat sticks or finger sticks
c. Commercial fish sticks, other commercial breaded or battered fish or seafood
products, canned fish w/bones, hot dogs, and sausages
d. Yogurt
e. Nuts, seeds, and nut and/or seed butters
Breads, Bread Products, Crackers, and Infant Cereals
1. Reimbursable
a. Breads (white, wheat, whole wheat, French, Italian, and similar breads without
nuts, seeds, or hard pieces of whole grain kernels)
b. Biscuits
c. Bagels
d. English muffins
e. Pita Bread
f. Rolls (without nuts, seeds, or hard pieces of whole grain kernels)
g. Cracker Type Products
h. Crackers-saltines or snack crackers made without nuts, seeds, or hard pieces of
whole grain kernels; matzo crackers, animal crackers, graham crackers made
without honey
i. Zwieback
j. Teething Biscuits
~ 11 ~
Infant Cereals
1. Reimbursable: Iron-fortified dry infant cereals
2. Not Reimbursable
a. Iron-fortified dry infant cereals containing fruit or formula
b. Commercial jarred baby food cereals (wet)
c. Ready to eat breakfast cereals (e.g. Cheerios, corn flakes, etc.), farina, regular
oatmeal, corn grits
d. Pancakes, waffles, muffins, cornbread made with whole eggs
e. Bread sticks, hard pretzels, tortilla chips, granola bars, doughnuts, cake, brownies
~ 12 ~
Infant Meal Pattern
United States Department of Agriculture requirements (for all Child Nutrition Programs*) for serving reimbursable
meals to infants.
Meal
Breakfast
Birth to 3
months
• 4 to 6 fl oz.
breast
milk1,2,3
or formula1,4
Ages 4 to 7 months
• 4 to 8 fl oz.
breast milk1,2,3 or
formula1,4
• 0 to 3 Tbsp.
infant cereal4,5
• 4 to 8 fl oz.
breast milk1,2,3 or
formula1,4
Lunch or
Supper
• 4 to 6 fl oz.
breast
milk1,2,3
or formula1,4
• 0 to 3 Tbsp.
infant cereal4,5
• 0 to 3 Tbsp.
fruit and/or
vegetable5
AM or PM
snack
• 4 to 6 fl oz.
breast
milk1,2,3
or formula1,4
• 4 to 6 fl oz.
breast milk1,2,3 or
formula1,4
1
Ages 8 to 11 months
• 6 to 8 fl oz. breast milk1,2,3 or formula1,4
• 2 to 4 Tbsp. infant cereal4
• 1 to 4 Tbsp. fruit and/or vegetable
• 6 to 8 fl oz. breast milk1,2,3 or formula1,4
• 2 to 4 Tbsp. infant cereal4 and/or 1 to 4
Tbsp. lean meat, fish, poultry, egg yolk,
cooked dry beans or peas
or 0.5 to 2 oz. cheese
or 1 to 4 oz. (volume) cottage cheese
or 1 to 4 oz. (weight) cheese food or
cheese spread
•1 to 4 Tbsp. fruit and/or vegetable
• 2 to 4 fl oz. breast milk1,2,3, formula1,4,
or fruit juice6
• 0 to 1/2 slice of bread5,7
or 0 to 2 crackers5,7
Breast milk or formula, or portions of both, may be served; however, it is recommended that breast milk be served
in place of formula from birth through 11 months.
2
For some breastfed infants who regularly consume less than the minimum amount of breast milk per feeding, a
serving of less than the minimum amount of breast milk may be offered, with additional breast milk offered if the
infant is still hungry.
3
Only the infant's mother can provide breast milk.
4
Infant formula and dry infant cereal must be iron fortified.
5
A serving of this component is required only when the infant is developmentally ready to accept it.
6
Fruit juice must be full strength (100% juice) and offered from a cup, not a bottle, to prevent tooth decay.
7
Must be made from whole grain or enriched meal or flour.
*Child and Adult Care Food Program
Child Care Center and Day Care Home Sponsors may claim reimbursement for up to two meals and one
snack or two snacks and one meal per infant per day.
Homeless Shelter Sponsors may claim reimbursement for up to three meals or two meals and one snack per
infant per day.
~ 13 ~
Meal Pattern for Older Children
Child and Adult Care Food Program meal requirements for children ages one through
twelve.
Breakfast
Milk
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Fluid Milk
1/2 cup
3/4 cup
1 cup
Vegetables, Fruit
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Vegetable, Fruit, or FullStrength (100%) Juice
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
Type
Grains/Breads (whole grain or enriched)
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Bread
1/2 slice
1/2 slice
1 slice
OR Rolls, Muffins, etc.
1/2 serving
1/2 serving
1 serving
OR Cold Dry Cereal
(volume or weight,
whichever is less)
1/4 cup or 1/3 oz.
1/3 cup or 1/2 oz.
3/4 cup or 1 oz.
OR Cooked Cereal,
Pasta, Noodle
Products, or Cereal
Grains
1/4 cup
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
Lunch or Supper
Milk
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Fluid Milk
1/2 cup
3/4 cup
1 cup
Vegetables, Fruits
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Vegetable and/or Fruit
(two or more kinds)
1/4 cup total
1/2 cup total
3/4 cup total
Grains/Breads (whole grain or enriched)
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Bread
1/2 slice
1/2 slice
1 slice
OR Rolls, Muffins, etc
1/2 serving
1/2 serving
1 serving
OR Cooked Cereal,
Pasta, Noodle
Products, or Cereal
Grains
1/4 cup
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
Meat/Meat Alternatives
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Lean Meat, Fish, or
Poultry (edible portion
as served)
1 oz.
1.5 oz.
2 oz.
~ 14 ~
OR Cheese (natural or
processed)
1 oz.
1.5 oz.
2 oz.
OR Cottage Cheese,
Cheese Food/Cheese
Spread Substitute
1/4 cup
or 2 oz.
3/8 cup
or 3 oz.
1/2 cup
or 4 oz.
OR Egg (large)
1/2 egg
3/4 egg
1 egg
OR Cooked Dried
Beans or Dried Peas1
1/4 cup
3/8 cup
1/2 cup
OR Peanut Butter,
Reduced- Fat Peanut
Butter, Soy Nut Butter,
or Other Nut or Seed
Butters
2 Tbsp.
3 Tbsp.
4 Tbsp.
2
2
2
OR Peanuts, Soy Nuts, 1/2 oz.
Tree Nuts, Roasted
Peas, or Seeds2
3/4 oz.
1 oz.
OR yogurt (plain or
flavored, unsweetened
or sweetened)
1/2 cup
3/4 cup
1 cup
OR An Equivalent
Quantity of Any
Combination of the
Above Meat/Meat
Alternatives
N/A
N/A
N/A
A.M. or P.M. Supplement
(Select 2 of these 4 components)
Milk
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Fluid Milk
1/2 cup
1/2 cup
1 cup
Vegetables, Fruits
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Vegetable, Fruit, or Full1/2 cup
Strength (100%) Juice
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
1/2 cup
3/4 cup
Grains/Breads (whole grain or enriched)
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
Bread
1/2 slice
1/2 slice
1 slice
OR Rolls, Muffins, etc.
1/2 serving
1/2 serving
1 serving
OR Cold Dry Cereal
(volume or weight,
whichever is less)
1/4 cup
or 1/3 oz.
1/3 cup
or 1/2 oz.
3/4 cup
or 1 oz.
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
OR Cooked Cereal,
Pasta, Noodle Products, 1/4 cup
or Cereal Grains.
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Meat/Meat Alternatives
Lean Meat, Fish, or
Poultry
(edible portion as
served)
1/2 oz.
1/2 oz.
1 oz.
Type
Ages 1 to 2 years
Ages 3 to 5 years
Ages 6 to 12 years
OR Cheese (natural or
processed)
1/2 oz.
1/2 oz.
1 oz.
OR Cottage Cheese,
Cheese Food/Cheese
Spread Substitute
1/8 cup
or 1 oz.
1/8 cup
or 1 oz.
1/4 cup
or 2 oz.
OR Egg (large)
1/2 egg
1/2 egg
1/2 egg
OR Yogurt
(plain or flavored,
unsweetened or
4
sweetened
1/4 cup
1/4 cup
1/2 cup
OR Cooked Dried
1
Beans or Dried Peas
1/8 cup
1/8 cup
1/4 cup
OR Peanut Butter,
Reduced-Fat Peanut
Butter, Soy Nut Butter,
or Other Nut or Seed
Butters
1 Tbsp.
1 Tbsp.
2 Tbsp.
OR Peanuts, Soy Nuts,
Tree Nuts, Roasted
Peas, or Seeds
1/2 oz
1/2 oz.
1 oz.
OR An Equivalent
Quantity of Any
Combination of the
Above
Meat/Meat Alternatives
N/A
N/A
N/A
1. Dried beans or dried peas may be used as a meat alternate or as a vegetable component; but cannot
be counted as both components in the same meal.
2. No more than 50 percent of the requirement shall be met with nuts or seeds. Nuts or seeds shall be
combined with another meat/meat alternate to fulfill the requirement. To determine combinations, 1
oz. of nuts or seeds is equal to 1 oz. of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish. Roasted peas can count as
a meat alternate or vegetable component, but cannot be counted as both in the same meal.
3. Juice cannot be served when milk is served as the only other component.
4. If yogurt is used as the meat component in supplements, milk cannot be used to satisfy the second
component requirement. Commercially added fruit or nuts in flavored yogurt cannot be used to satisfy
the second component requirement in supplements.
The Meal Pattern was designed to assure well balanced meals that supply the type and amounts
of food necessary to meet the nutritional needs of children. Following the meal pattern when
preparing food to children in your care will ensure good nutrition for them and allow you to
claim the meals and snacks for reimbursement. Keep a copy of the Meal Patterns posted in your
daycare in a visible place.
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Claim Errors
Common Claim Errors
1) Serving Juice at lunch or dinner as a fruit or vegetable component.
Juice can only be reimbursed during breakfast or snack.
2) Serving potatoes as a grain/bread: Potato counts as a vegetable
3) Missing a meal component: make sure snack includes 2 meal
components, breakfast includes 3 components and lunch/dinner includes 5
meal
4) Serving 2% milk to children over 2 years old: Only 1% or nonfat milk
can be served to children over 2 years old, unless there is a medical
statement on file.
Reviewing Your Claim Errors
If you use the Minute Menu computer system to record meals, you are able to view your claim
errors in the computer system 7 days after submitting your claim. If you use scannable or paper
menus, the 4C food program staff will send you a claim error report in the mail. You are
responsible for reviewing your claim error report each month. Please call us immediately if you
have any doubts or questions. Correcting your claim errors will help you get a higher
reimbursement next month.
Site Visits
The site monitor will visit the provider during the hours of operation at least three times during
each consecutive 12-month period in order to review the meal and/or snack service and program
records. At least two of the visits will be unannounced. The timing of unannounced visits will
vary to ensure they are unpredictable to the provider. For new providers, the first visit will be
within the provider’s first four weeks of CACFP participation.
Additional unannounced site visits may be performed under the following circumstances:
5) Records are not up to date
6) Records submitted do not match what was observed during the visit
7) The number of children present during the site visit is not reasonable in
comparison to what the provider normally claims.
The Provider must allow representatives of 4Cs, the CDE, or the USDA to review CACFP
records and the meal and/or snack service operation in the home during announced or
unannounced visits during normal child care hours. Such representatives must show photo
identification that identifies them as employees of their respective organizations.
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Intended Absences/Temporary Closure
The provider must notify 4Cs in advance of intended absences from the home or if closed during
normal hours. If the sponsor, the CDE, or the USDA conducts an unannounced visit and children
and/or infants are not present, claims for meals and/or snacks that would have been served during
the unannounced visit will be disallowed.
Acceptable ways of notifying 4C of an absence include:
8) Marking it on your Minute Menu calendar
9) Filling out a “Intended Absences/Temporary Closure of Day Care
Facility” form that can be found on the 4C website
10) Emailing/Calling your site monitor
Enrolling Children in the Food Program
In accordance with CACFP regulations, the following child enrollment policy and procedures
will take effect August 1, 2012 in an effort to keep child enrollment records and information
current and up-to date.
POLICY: Offer the CACFP to all children in your care regardless of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability.
Enroll all children in care including infants, drop-ins, part-timers, children on 1-2 week trial
periods, own and other resident children.(For example resident nieces, nephews, grandchildren,
helper’s children, etc.)
NEW CHILDREN MUST BE ENROLLED ON THE FIRST DAY OF CARE. Parents must sign
the child enrollment as of the first day they are in the providers care. Maintain an enrollment
form for each enrolled child. Meal reimbursement will be as per child schedule and meal
information on child enrollment form.
•
Once a child is enrolled in the participating home the provider is required to send an
enrollment form complete with parent signature and dates; the form must reach our office within
5 working days in order to activate the enrolled child. If a child enrollment form is received
within the 5 working days, the child will be reimbursed as of the date the parent has signed the
form. Any forms received past the 5th working day following child enrollment will only be
activated and reimbursed based on the date the form is received in our office. KEEP A COPY
OF THE PARENT SIGNED ENROLLMENT FORM FOR YOUR RECORDS.
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•
Any child with enrollment date of 1st through 25th of the month should be on active
status before submission of claim for the same month. Any child enrollment received with the
enrollment date ranging from the 1st through the 25th after submission of the claim will only be
reimbursed as of the date it is received in our office.
•
Providers enrolling children between the 25th and 30th of the month (the last week of the
month) MAY submit a claim with the newly enrolled child/ children on pending status as long as
the enrollment form is received within 5 working days. Any forms received past the 5th working
day following child enrollment will only be activated and reimbursed based on the date the form
is received in our office.
•
Complete all sections of the enrollment form as applicable. Incomplete enrollment forms
received will remain on pending status until we receive the completed enrollment forms (For
example, missing signatures, dates, etc).
When enrollments are received with missing supporting enrollment documents (decline forms,
medical statements, parent request for milk substitution, etc) the provider is informed via a phone
call or via a letter indicating what document is missing and a due date of three to five days will
be given from when the phone call/letter is made. The child remains pending until the requested
accompanying documents are received within the deadline date. Any missing documents
received after the deadline date will only be activated as of the date received.
PROCEDURES FOR CHILD ENROLLMENT
Provider’s must understand and put into practice the following enrollment procedures on Minute
Menu:
1. Kindergarten and School-Age children: Indicate the grade level under the SCHEDULE
SECTION during the child enrollment process, when enrolling AM/PM/Kindergarten and
School-Age children. Please specify if AM kindergarten, PM kindergarten, All-day
Kindergarten or School- Age. You must also indicate days of the week and in/out times
for the school hours in the same section. (Please call your site monitor to update this
information when your children become kindergarten or school age, it could affect your
license capacity and meal reimbursement if you don’t update!)
2. Non-Participating Children: Children whose parents have chosen to decline the CACFP
must be enrolled as NON-PARTICIPATING. To indicate, uncheck the Participates in
CACFP box in the child section of the enrollment process. REMINDER: Parents will also
have to complete a Parents form for declining participation in the Child and Adult Care
Food Program. This form should indicate the reason for the declination and be stapled to
the enrollment form when sent.
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3. Provider’s Own and Children Residing in Provider’s Home: All children living/residing
in the provider’s home must be enrolled as PROVIDER’S OWN in the RELATION TO
PROVIDER box in the child section of the enrollment process; this includes resident
nephews, nieces, grandchildren, helper’s children, etc. In order to be reimbursed for these
children’s meals, providers will need to complete an income eligibility form (Please
contact your site monitor for a provider income eligibility form).
4. Infants: When enrolling infants, providers are required to offer an Iron Fortified formula
and food to infants in care that meet the State and Federal guidelines.
a. Under the SPECIAL section during the child enrollment process, the providers are
required to indicate the name of the formula that they have offered. If the parent is
providing the formula indicate the name of the parent provided formula.
b. If the parent wishes to decline the formula and/or food offered by the provider
they must complete a Parent Form for Declining a provider’s formula/ food. The
decline forms must be complete and indicate the reason for the parent’s
declination. These forms must be stapled to the enrollment form when sent. Any
decline forms received incomplete will be sent back to the provider for
completion and may result in delay of reimbursement. The parent provided infant
formula/ food is reimbursable only if it meets State and Federal guidelines.
c. If parent is supplying breast milk, indicate breast milk under Parent formula
name. No Parent decline form is required in this case.
5. Special Diet (Milk allergy) & Parental Request Form For Milk Substitution: If a child
requires a fluid milk substitution such as soy milk (it must meet the nutrient standards
requirements outlined in 7 CFR 210.10(m) (3)) and it must be indicated on the child
enrollment under the SPECIAL section. The provider must check the box titled special
diet and indicate a brief description for the special diet as milk allergy. REMINDER:
Parent will have to complete a “Parental Request for a Fluid Milk Substitution for
Children in Care” form. The form must be filled out completely and indicate the medical
or special dietary need requiring a fluid milk substitution. This form must be signed/dated
by the parent and be stapled to the enrollment form when sent.
6. Special Diet & Medical Statements: If a child requires a special diet (for example,
children over 2 years of age on 2% or whole milk, fluid milk or food substitutions for a
child who has a medical disability and food substitutions for those who do not have a
medical disability but have a need for a special diet or meal pattern exception) it must be
~ 20 ~
indicated on the child enrollment under the SPECIAL section. A provider will check the
box titled special diet and indicate a brief description of the special diet. REMINDER:
Parents will have to complete a Medical Statement signed by a medical physician stating
the child’s medical disability. The Medical statement must be complete and indicate what
foods are to be omitted as well as what will be the required substitution. The medical
statement form should be stapled to the enrollment form when sent.
7. Medical statements must be used when:
a. Children over 2 years of age are served 2% or whole milk.
b. Fluid milk or food substitutions are to be made for a child who has a medical
disability.
c. Food substitutions are to be made for a child who does not have a medical
disability but has a need for a special diet or meal pattern exception.
Please contact your site monitor for a copy or down load the form from the 4C website
www.4c.org.
8. Decline Forms
a. Parent/Guardian’s Form for Declining Participation in the Food Program.
i. If you have a child enrolled in your care and not participating in the Food
Program, a parent’s form for declining participation in the Food Program
needs to be completed and the child should be enrolled as nonparticipating.
b. Parent/Guardian’s Form for Declining a Provider’s Infant Formula
i. If a parent/guardian chooses to decline the provider’s infant formula and
will furnish his/ her own formula, he/she must complete a Parent/Guardian
Form for Declining a Provider’s Formula.
c. Parent/Guardian’s Form for Declining a Provider’s Infant Food.
i. If a parent/guardian chooses to decline the provider’s infant food and will
furnish a food item or items which meet the CNP nutritional content
requirements, he/she must complete the Parent/Guardian Form for
Declining a Provider’s Food. For decline forms, please look in the packet
that was given to you when you enrollment in the program, or download a
new copy on the 4C website.
9. Updating child information
a. If there are any changes to an enrolled child’s information/schedule, please call
your site monitor to make the changes. An enrollment form with the changed
schedule/ information should reach our office within 5 working days.
b. Providers are to update enrollments yearly. You will be informed via a letter
about the procedure and due dates. Enrollments are only good for 1 year; please
make sure to send enrollments by the due date or the children will be dropped.
~ 21 ~
Any enrollments that that exceed 1 year since initial enrollment will be disallowed
any days that exceed 1 year up to parent signing date.
c. Enrollment forms submitted with hand written changes are NOT accepted.
d. If a previously enrolled child is returning back to care, please call your monitor to
re-activate the child and inform your site monitor of any changes to the child’s
information/schedule. (Minute Menu will not allow you to reactivate a withdrawn
child.) Submit the child’s enrollment form within 5 working days.
Recordkeeping: Menus and Attendance
The provider must maintain daily records of all the following:
a. Menus and types of foods served to enrolled children and/or infants at each meal and/or snack
b. Enrolled children and/or infants served at each meal and/or snack
c. Children and/or infants in attendance, including time-in/time-out records if providing shifts of
care
The provider must retain the required records for three program years plus the current year. If
there is an unresolved audit or review finding, maintain the records covered by the audit or
review for three years from the date the audit or review finding was resolved.
Only 12 months plus the current month must be maintained and immediately available at the
provider’s home. The rest of the retained documents must be retrievable within a reasonable
amount of time if requested by the sponsor, a representative of the CDE, or the USDA. Records
may be kept in hard copy or electronic format, as long as the records are available for review.
If a provider who uses the Minute Menu computer software to record their meals is unable to log
in, the provider must call their site monitor, even if it is after business hours, and inform them of
the situation. The provider should keep Daily Meals Worksheets in their files in case this
happens. This worksheet allows you to manually record the meals. Daily Meals Worksheets can
be printed from your Minute Menu account under “Reports >> Claim Information >> Daily Meal
Worksheet.
How to Record Mixed Dishes
When serving a mixed dish like a casserole or soup, individual meal components need to be
recorded.
Menu Item
Lasagna
Homemade Soup
Burritos
Bread/Grain
Lasagna Noodles
White Rice
Flour Tortilla
Meat/ Meat Alternate
Ground Beef
Chicken
Shredded Pork
~ 22 ~
Fruit/Vegetable
Tomato Sauce
Carrots/Celery
Pinto Beans
Fruits and vegetables in a mixed dish only count as 1 component, even if there are two fruits or
vegetables. In the above example of the soup, even though there are carrots and celery, they only
count as 1 components and in order to get this reimbursed for a lunch or dinner, you would need
to serve another fruit or vegetables on the side (apple slices) and milk.
Many commercial and processed foods are not reimbursable, but making similar foods from
scratch are reimbursable. For example, ordering pizza is not reimbursable, however homemade
pizza is. Please be sure to specify if the menu item is homemade (HM).
Submitting Your Claim
Submit complete and accurate claim documents to the sponsor. The required documents are due
in the sponsor’s office by the 1st calendar day of the month following the claim and must be
received no later than the 5th calendar day of the month following the claim month.
Minutemenu web users are encouraged to submit the claim on the 1st calendar day of the month
following the claim and scannable menu and manual menu form users are encouraged to mail
claim documents on the 1st calendar day following the claim month. Late submission of required
documentation will delay reimbursement and may result in no reimbursement to the provider. If
not serving and claiming meals during the month, submit a “ZERO” meal count sheet to the
sponsor. Failure to notify the sponsor if not serving and claiming meals and/or snacks may result
in the provider being dropped from the CACFP.
Reimbursement
TIER II OPTION NOTIFICATIONS
1. During enrollment to the Child Care food Program, the provider is informed that she is
certified as a Tier II home based on the neighborhood school data for free and reduced priced
meals provided by the California Department of Education.
2. The provider is also given the Tier II Provider Notification and Reimbursement Option form
for review and signature. This form is placed in the provider file.
3. As a Tier II home, the provider is informed of the various options to receive reimbursement:
• Elect to receive the Tier II reimbursement rates for meals served to children enrolled in the day
care home.
• Submit a Daycare Home Provider Meal Benefit Form to determine income eligibility for Tier I
reimbursement.
~ 23 ~
•
Elect to have 4C Council collect income eligibility information for the children enrolled
in the day care home and make determinations regarding each child enrolled for care in the day
care home. This information will be collected by using income eligibility application distributed
to the parents/guardians of the children enrolled for care. Under this option, the provider will
receive the higher Tier I reimbursement rates for meals served to enrolled children eligible for
free or reduced price meals, and the lower Tier II reimbursement rates for meals served to
enrolled children not eligible for free or reduced price meals.
•
Elect to have 4C Council collect eligibility information regarding only certain children
enrolled for care that may be categorically eligible for Tier I reimbursement rates based upon
their participation in a Federal or State funded program. This information will be collected by
using income eligibility application distributed to the parents/guardians of the children enrolled
for care. A list of categorically eligible programs is available in Section 4 of the eligibility
application. Under this option, the provider will receive the higher Tier I reimbursement rates for
meals served to enrolled children determined to be categorically eligible, and Tier II
reimbursement rates for meals served to enrolled children determined not to be categorically
eligible.
•
The provider is given (i) Daycare Home Provider Meal Benefit Form and (ii) Parent
eligibility applications (Meal Benefit Form) for distribution to the parents of the children
enrolled for care in the day care home.
Non Payable Holidays
The following dates are non-payable holidays for daycare homes participating in the 4C
Childcare Food Program (CCFP). Reimbursement is possible only if a letter signed by a parent
or guardian, confirms your services were provided on the holiday submitted with your menu
forms. Weekend care does not qualify payment.
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Reimbursement Rates
The July 2013 -June 2014 meal reimbursement rates are as follows:
TIER I
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Dinner
TIER II
$1.28
$0.71
$2.40
$2.40
Breakfast
Snack
Lunch
Dinner
~ 24 ~
$0.47
$0.19
$1.45
$1.45
Civil Rights
•
Ensuring that special meals are made available to participants with disabilities who have
a medical statement on file documenting that their disability restricts their diet.
Civil Rights mean that everyone has the same rights and opportunities regardless of race, color,
national origin, sex, age or disability. All day cares that accept reimbursement from CACFP
must abide by the Federal civil rights regulations. Discrimination on the basis of race, color,
national origin, sex, age or disability is not allowed in the CACFP.
Some examples of discrimination in the CACFP are:
1)
Refusing to enroll an eligible participant based on his/her disability
2)
Providing CACFP meals in a way that denies or limits accessibility to meals
3)
Segregating participants through recruitment, referral or enrollment
4)
Failure to ensure meaningful access to program information and services to people with
limited English language skills.
Some children have disabilities, allergies or medical conditions for which they may benefit from
special accommodations. Examples include:
1)
Menu substitutions
2)
Texture modifications
3)
Adaptive feeding equipment
4)
Alternate feeding times
CACFP institutions are required to accommodate the special dietary needs of participants with
disabilities.
For participants who do not have a disability, CACFP institution my at their discretion,
accommodate special dietary needs. However, any menu substitutions made for non-disabled
participants must meet the CACFP meal pattern requirements in order to claim meals and snacks
for reimbursement.
Annual CACFP Trainings
Providers are required to attend two hour food program training per year. They have 2 options
for completing their annual trainings:
1)
Online reading material and online graded test.
2)
CACFP in person workshops.
~ 25 ~
Serious Deficiency
Serious Deficiency Determination
4C Council of Santa Clara County Child Care Food Program must initiate action to terminate
the agreement of a day care home (provider) for cause in the operation of the CACFP, if 4C
CACFP determines the provider has committed one or more serious deficiencies listed below.
Upon making a serious deficiency determination, if the provider does not take action to fully and
permanently correct the serious deficiency within the allotted time, the provider’s agreement
must be terminated.
List of Serious Deficiencies
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Submission of false information on the application Submission of false claims for
reimbursement
Simultaneous participation under more than one sponsoring organization
Noncompliance with the program meal pattern
Failure to keep required records
Conduct or conditions that threaten the health or safety of the children in care, or the
public health or safety
A determination that the provider has been convicted of any activity that occurred during
the past seven years and that indicated a lack of business integrity. A lack of business
integrity includes fraud, antitrust violations, embezzlement, theft, forgery, bribery,
falsification or destruction of records, making false statements, receiving stolen property,
making false claims, obstruction of justice, or any other activity indicating a lack of
business integrity as defined by the state agency, or the concealment of such a conviction.
Failure to participate in training
Any other circumstance related to non-performance under the sponsor/provider
agreement as specified by the sponsor or the state agency.
~ 26 ~
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers,
employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age,
disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal and, where applicable, political beliefs, marital
status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or if all or part of an individual's income is
derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or
in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will
apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)
If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA
Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online at
http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 6329992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested
in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at [email protected].
Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities and wish to file either an
EEO or program complaint please contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)
877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish).
Persons with disabilities, who wish to file a program complaint, please see information above on
how to contact us by mail directly or by email. If you require alternative means of
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) please contact
USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
~ 27 ~