Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program - Team Nutrition - July 2021 - Guide

Sep 27, 2026

Feeding Infants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program provides child care providers with guidance on meeting CACFP meal pattern requirements and offering reimbursable meals for infants. It introduces USDA CACFP goals and explains how Team Nutrition supports healthy lifelong food choices through training, nutrition education, and supportive school and childcare environments. The guide also outlines the CACFP’s context, emphasizes nutrition’s importance during a baby’s first year, and directs readers to complete the pre-test in Appendix H to measure learning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages200

Reading Time8 h 24 min

AccessFree to download

About Team Nutrition

What Is Team Nutrition?

What Strategies Does Team Nutrition Use To Change Behavior?

Team Nutrition Messages

Introduction

How To Use This Guide

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Food and Nutrition Service | | | | --- | --- | --- | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Feeding Infants
in the Child and Adult Care Food Program | | | | | | | In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs) . Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. , Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at [http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html](http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office)[ and at any USDA office](http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office)[ ](http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office)[or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To](or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To)[ ](or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To)[request a copy of the complaint form](request a copy of the complaint form) , call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: [program.intake@usda.gov](program.intake@usda.gov). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender. July 2021 About Team Nutrition What Is Team Nutrition? Team Nutrition is an initiative of the United States Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service that supports national efforts to promote lifelong healthy food choices and physical activity by improving the nutrition practices of the Child Nutrition Programs. We provide resources to schools, child care, daycare, afterschool, and summer meals sites that participate in these programs. What Strategies Does Team Nutrition Use To Change Behavior? Team Nutrition uses three strategies to change behavior: 1. Provide training and technical assistance to child nutrition professionals to enable them to prepare and serve nutritious meals that appeal to children. 2. Increase nutrition education through multiple communication channels to help children have the knowledge, skills, and motivation to make healthy food and physical activity choices as part of a healthy lifestyle. 3. Build support for healthy school and childcare environments that encourage nutritious food choices and physically active lifestyles. Team Nutrition Messages The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are the basis of Federal nutrition policy, education, outreach, and food assistance provided through the Child Nutrition Programs. The Team Nutrition initiative helps schools, child care settings, summer meal sites, parents/caregivers, and children put the Diet

FAQs

What is Team Nutrition and who does it support?

Team Nutrition is an initiative of USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service that supports efforts to promote lifelong healthy food choices and physical activity. It provides resources for schools, child care, daycare, afterschool, and summer meals sites participating in Child Nutrition Programs.

What strategies does Team Nutrition use to change behavior?

Team Nutrition uses three strategies: training and technical assistance for child nutrition professionals, increasing nutrition education through multiple communication channels, and building support for healthy school and childcare environments.

How should providers use this guide before and after reading?

Use the guide to answer questions about what to feed babies and how to offer reimbursable meals in the CACFP. Complete the Feeding Infants pre-test in Appendix H on page 176 before reading, then take the test again after reading to check learning.

Sep 27, 2026

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