Newly Creditable Foods

[Cat Herder]

Newly Creditable Foods
The USDA has announced that the following foods are now creditable under the CACFP:

Hominy
Popcorn
Dried Meat Products
Surimi Seafood
Tempeh
Coconut

happyface

[DaveA]

I'm not on the food program so I didn't know Surimi wasn't approved. My current DCKs love California Rolls.

Glad people are getting more options.

[Cat Herder]

I'm not on the food program so I didn't know Surimi wasn't approved. My current DCKs love California Rolls.

Glad people are getting more options.

I am a bit excited about the coconut and dried meats.

Fresh coconut is fun for the kids in the summer. A snack you get to beat with a hammer. What could be better? ::

And beef jerky is great on the playground with trail mix, easy transport/easy cleanup.

[springv]

Do you have a link for this?

[Cat Herder]

Do you have a link for this?

Sure do.

https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/crediting-shelf-stable-dried-and-semi-dried-meat-poultry-and-seafood-products-child-nutrition

https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/crediting-coconut-hominy-corn-masa-and-corn-flour-child-nutrition-programs

https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/crediting-tempeh-child-nutrition-programs

https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/crediting-popcorn-child-nutrition-programs

[Gemma]

Newly Creditable Foods
The USDA has announced that the following foods are now creditable under the CACFP:

Hominy
Popcorn
Dried Meat Products
Surimi Seafood
Tempeh
Coconut

happyface

I know popcorn and coconut (I would never serve either for fear of chocking) I have no idea what the rest of them things even are ..I feel so uneducated!

[hwichlaz]

I know popcorn and coconut (I would never serve either for fear of chocking) I have no idea what the rest of them things even are ..I feel so uneducated!

How would you serve coconut that made it a choking hazard?

[Mom2Two]

I'm happy about popcorn! I'm assuming it's a grain for snack time. ???

[Pestle]

A third of the items on that list are ethnic foods that haven't yet fully made it into the mainstream. But which are very common and useful where they are popular. I wonder if the slowness to approve them came from being unfamiliar and uncomfortable with them. Or if it has more to do with changing views of grain and fatty foods.

[AmyKidsCo]

I'm super excited about popcorn! It's one of my favorite suppers. ::

[Cat Herder]

I'm happy about popcorn! I'm assuming it's a grain for snack time. ???

It is a whole grain. happyface

Unless it is microwaved, then it is junk food (high-fat oil and flavoring).

Don't shoot the messenger.

Air popped is preferred. Here, 3 and up only, but still a win. States each have a little to say about everything, ya know.

[Cat Herder]

I've been serving hominy the entire time I have been open. :: I always listed it under hot cereal. Grits. How can you go for a week without them in the south?

[springv]

If you dont feel comfortable serving popcorn for afternoon snack, you can purchase popcorn without the kernels. I personally enjoy it myself, our old director at our daycare got me eating it and it is delicious.

[Jo123ABC]

Yay to popcorn! My kiddos love popcorn! I've never tried fresh coconut myself. They might like that too. I never realized summer sausage was not allowed. We have it for snack sometimes but we always have crackers and milk with it so we meet our requirements that way. Now I need to look for one with a CN label

[Meeko]

Grits. Kinda like wallpaper paste...but less flavorful.....
::::