Head Start Breakfast Shopping and Meal Service Tips

Objectives Know CACFP meal pattern requirements for reimbursable breakfast Become familiar with preferred nutrition guidelines for Head Start breakfasts Understand meal preparation restrictions in classroom Feel more confident about shopping and serving Head Start breakfast

CACFP Breakfast Requirements: Components and Serving Size Grain/Bread Cereal 1/3 cup dry cereal or ½ slice bread or ¼ cup dry hot cereal (oatmeal) or ~10g or ½ serving crackers Fluid milk 6 oz or ¾ cup Fruit/Vegetable ½ cup

Breakfast Nutrition Standards: CACFP and HCAP Grains/Bread Must contain enriched flour Preferred whole grains: 100% whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal Must contain less than 6 grams sugar/serving Fluid Milk Plain, 1% milk Fruit/Vegetable Fresh or canned (not dried) Canned should be in juice or light syrup No 100% fruit juice served with breakfast

Breakfast: Meal Preparation Restrictions Classrooms not all approved for meal preparation, only service No heating, toasting, microwaving No cutting No sanitizing of serving utensils, bowls, plates, etc Foods purchased should require little preparation Food served on and with disposable plates, utensils, cups Food stored (ex: fruit, cereal) in disposable zip-lock bag or other container

Shopping for Breakfast Budget- $1.00/child/meal Includes grain, fruit and milk Next slides: Reading labels for cereal and fruit Suggested cereals and grains Example meal/menu items

Reading Food Labels- Grains What were the nutrition requirements for grains? Enriched flour Less than 6 grams sugar per serving Prefer 100% whole wheat or whole grain What was the serving size? 1/3 c dry cold cereal 10 grams crackers ¼ c dry hot cereal

Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added Whole Grain Less than 6 grams Sugar Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added

Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added? Sugar? Whole Grain ?

Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added? Sugar? Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added? Whole Grain ?

Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added? Sugar? Enriched- Vitamins, minerals added? Whole Grain ?

Other Grains Oats Crackers Quick Oats (1-minute Oats) Can soak in 1/2 cup milk and fruit for 1-2 minutes instead of heating ¼ cup dry oats = 1 serving Crackers Plain animal crackers, Graham Crackers, BelVita Crackers (All are enriched and low sugar) 1 serving = 10 grams or 1 cracker/ ½ c animal crackers

Serving Size = 1 full sheet/child Enriched flour Help add variety Not whole grain so limit 1x/week

Serving Size = 4-6 crackers/child Enriched flour Help add variety Not whole grain so limit 1x/week

Serving Size = 1 biscuit/child Enriched flour and Whole grain Help add variety

Reading Food Labels- Fruit What were the nutrition requirements for fruit? Fresh or frozen Canned in juice or light syrup No 100% juice What was the serving size? ½ c

Breakfast Meal Service Recommend “family style” to: Encourage children to make decisions and develop motor skills Help teachers/staff reduce morning responsibilities

Family Style Meal Service Meal components on table available for children Enough on the table for each child to take minimum serving Place cereal or fruit in larger bowl and allow children to pass and serve themselves Teacher should pour milk from gallon for child

Measuring Portions for Meal Service Use 9 oz milk cup to estimate servings Use milk cup as scoop 1 scoop = 3 servings dry cereal or 4 servings dry hot cereal 1 scoop = 2 servings fruit (canned or fresh) Crackers or bread can be counted and placed on larger plate for children to pick from

Tips to Make this Easier Pre-portion cereal or fruit for breakfast ahead of time If similar number of children sit at each table daily, portion out meal components and place in zip lock bag the day prior and pour into larger bowl on day of meal service Be sure to label with date and contents of bag After meal service dispose of zip lock bag

Breakfast Meal Idea Breakfast No-Heat Muesli Teachers challenge! ¼ cup quick oats ½ child’s serving milk (3 oz) ½ cup canned peaches with juice Place components on table, allow child to add milk and fruit to oats and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Once oats are soft will taste like sweet peachy oatmeal Teachers challenge! Share with us your creative, no heat, easy to serve breakfast ideas

Recommended Grains/Breads Cheerios OK to have Honey Nut cheerios if mixed with Plain Cheerios ½ and ½ to lower total sugar content Kix Life Cereal Rice Crispies or Crispy Rice Animal crackers- Plain Graham crackers- Honey flavor BelVita breakfast biscuit- Golden oat flavor Quick oats

Recommended Fruit Bananas Canned fruits, diced, in own juice or light syrup Pre-cut fresh fruits (if within budget ) No sugar added applesauce