Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 - Summary of Sections Impacting the Child and Adult Care Food Program - Updated Feb. 23, 2012

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Memo summarizes changes under the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed December 13, 2010 (Public Law 111-296), that affect the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). It explains required institutional review, staff training, and revisions to written procedures. Key updates include expanded At-Risk Afterschool Meals availability nationwide and new USDA requirements for CACFP fluid milk and substitutions, including fat-free/low-fat limits, approved lactose variants, and nutritionally equivalent non-dairy alternatives. It also adds potable water availability expectations during the day.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time10 min

AccessFree to download

New notifications

At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component of CACFP

Prior notifications

Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions—For ALL Institutions

Fat-Free and Low-Fat Milk

Non-dairy Beverages

Water Availability—For ALL Institutions

Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 Summary of Sections Impacting the Child and Adult Care Food Program Institutions Illinois State Board of Education Nutrition Programs Division Last updated February 23, 2012 The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, Public Law 111-296, was signed into law on December 13, 2010. This Act modifies the requirements for the operations of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) . The Act makes many important improvements to CACFP. The purpose of this memo is to summarize the changes that have been imposed by the Act thus far. The Act is available at [http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/hunger_free.htm](http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/htmls/hunger_free.htm). All institutions are encouraged to review each of these mandates, review their current procedures, train staff on the changes, and revise all necessary written procedures. We will continue to update this document as information becomes available to our agency. If you have any questions, please contact CACFP center staff at 1-800-545-7892 or email [cnp@isbe.net](cnp@isbe.net). New notifications At-Risk Afterschool Meals Component of CACFP As of December 13, 2010, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 expanded the availability of the At-Risk Afterschool Meals program in all states. Illinois has participated in the At-Risk Afterschool Snack and added the Supper Program in 2001, thus no impact other than the benefit of the added guidance book At-Risk Afterschool Meals Handbook and Questions and Answers included in CACFP Memo 08-2012. Prior Notifications Fluid Milk and Fluid Milk Substitutions—For ALL Institutions On May 11, 2011, USDA issued a memo that changed the requirements for fluid milk and fluid milk substitutions in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) . Fluid milk served in the CACFP must now be consistent with the most recent version of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and allows the substitution of non-dairy beverages that are nutritionally equivalent to fluid milk in cases of special dietary needs. • Fat-Free and Low-Fat Milk The 2010 Dietary Guidelines recommend that persons over two years of age consume fat-free (skim) or low-fat (1%) fluid milk. Therefore, fluid milk served to children two years of age and older must be: fat-free or low-fat milk, fat-free or low-fat lactose reduced milk, fat-free or low-fat lactose free milk, fat-free or low-fat buttermilk, or fat-free or low-fat acidified milk. Milk served must be pasteurized fluid milk that meets State and local standards, and may be flavored orunflavored. Whole milk and reduced-fat (2%) milk may not be served to children over two years of age. Because the Dietary Guidelines for Americans do not address milk served to children under the age of two, the requirements to children in this age group are unchanged. • Non-dairy Beverages If children cannot consume fluid milk due to medical or other special dietary needs, other thana disability, non-dairy beverages may be served in place of fluid milk. Non-dairy beverages must be nutritionally equivalent to milk and meet the nutritional standards for fortification of calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, and other nutrients to levels found in cow’s milk. Refer to the information on our website at [http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/pdf/cacfp_fluid_milk_qa.pdf](http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/pdf/cacfp_fluid_milk_qa.pdf)[ ](http://www.isbe.net/nutrition/pdf/cacfp_fluid_milk_qa.pdf)[to ensure the milk substitute meets the specific requirements.](to ensure the milk substitute meets the specific requirements.) Parents or guardians may now request in writing non-dairy milk substitutions without providing a medical statement. As an example, if a parent has a child who follows a vegan diet, the parent can submit a written request to the child’s caretaker asking that soy milk be served in lieu of cow’s milk. The written request must identify the medical or other special dietary need that restr

FAQs

What is the purpose of this memo regarding the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010?

To summarize the changes imposed by the Act so institutions can review requirements, train staff, and revise procedures for the CACFP.

What changed for At-Risk Afterschool Meals under CACFP as of December 13, 2010?

The Act expanded availability of the At-Risk Afterschool Meals program in all states, with Illinois participation noted for both Snack and the Supper Program.

How do CACFP fluid milk and substitutions requirements work after the May 11, 2011 USDA update?

Fluid milk must align with the most recent Dietary Guidelines, allowing only specified fat-free/low-fat milk options for children over two, and permitting nutritionally equivalent non-dairy beverage substitutions when children cannot consume milk for medical or special dietary needs.

Oct 10, 2026

Uploaded by Angel