Feeding Kids - Ugh - Can I Limit Grains - Need Suggestions

[Leigh]

I'm glad I saw this post...I was wrong in my previous post. I swore that I was told the milk was required at snack PLUS 2 of the 3 other components. Glad to know that I no longer have to dump all that untouched milk down the drain at snack time any more!

[Controlled Chaos]

Here, it is. It's confusing but my food program rep (and the one before her) said it had to be a grain and one other component (fluids are not required for snack, which still baffles me). The second component can be a fruit, a veggie, or a dairy, but the grain is not optional. Do different states have different requirements? I thought it was a national standard. I always choose milk as the second component because I can't imagine not providing fluids with a snack.

I offer water at every snack/meal, especially in the summer.

[Heidi]

A grain is a required component of snack, though.

?????

Here, it is not. We need to serve 2 components, but grains are not required. It's weird how different FP's interpret it differently.

[NightOwl]

I need to call her ASAP!! The previous rep trained the current rep, so I'm betting the mistake was passed down. And I'm betting everyone in my district is following the same incorrect rule.

[Blackcat31]

I need to call her ASAP!! The previous rep trained the current rep, so I'm betting the mistake was passed down. And I'm betting everyone in my district is following the same incorrect rule.

Use the link I posted....it is directly from the USDA site.

ETA: Some states have specific licensing requirements in regards to meals and snacks but I have yet to hear of a state that differs from the actual meal component's required by the USDA.

[Unregistered]

Long time ago, 1980's, FP required a wheat component in every snack. We heard it was because of farm lobbying. Then it got changed to 2 of 4 food groups, but not two liquids.
Maybe that old info got passed down from one person to another at your FP agency.

[itlw8]

Here, it is. It's confusing but my food program rep (and the one before her) said it had to be a grain and one other component (fluids are not required for snack, which still baffles me). The second component can be a fruit, a veggie, or a dairy, but the grain is not optional. Do different states have different requirements? I thought it was a national standard. I always choose milk as the second component because I can't imagine not providing fluids with a snack.

yes while states can make the regulations stricter The requirements are a federal guideline.

Do you not have a manual from your sponsor about the requirements. ??? Look up the requirements for snack and then call your sponsoring organization and tell them what your rep said and you are confused.

Actually they think providers serve grains and juice too often for snack and want more protein and veggies

[itlw8]

Long time ago, 1980's, FP required a wheat component in every snack. We heard it was because of farm lobbying. Then it got changed to 2 of 4 food groups, but not two liquids.
Maybe that old info got passed down from one person to another at your FP agency.

I started in 1982 and that was never a regulation here. it was always 2 of 4 for snack.

[NightOwl]

She's calling her supervisor, but I'm not sure if she'll get her this late in the day on a Friday. I have the same info you guys do and it says choose 2 of the 4, but they've told me it had to include a grain. It wouldn't affect my previous claims because I did meet 2 of the 4, but I sure would love the option of leaving grains out of our snacks. I'll update when I hear back from her.

[Thriftylady]

If they still tell you that I might find someone else to call. Usually the way these things are written, is how it is. This doesn't seem to be one with shades of grey at all.