Partners of the Plan News:
Nutritional Recommendations for CACFP to Promote Healthy Aging

Update: The new Handbook was released in January 2013. To review it, click here.

Because CACFP regulations were based on 20 year old nutrition information, the USDA requested that the Institute of Medicine review the needs of the populations served and provide updated recommendations for nutrition based on recent research findings. All of the recommendations are included in the report, Child and Adult Care Food Program: Aligning Dietary Guidance for All.

“We have reviewed the IOM report, but it is still not clear exactly how the USDA will translate the recommendations into the new regulations,“ says Adele Roberts, the CACFP Supervisor for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. “We expected for the new rules to come out this summer. Once they do come out, there will be a comment period, so it could be well into 2013 or 2014 before changes take effect.”

For children and adults, the IOM recommendations call for:

• More fruits and vegetables
• More whole grain-rich foods
• Less fat, sugar and salt

For older adults, there are additional specific recommendations:

• Provide the option of serving an enhanced snack in the afternoon in lieu of two smaller snacks in the morning and afternoon. This would be appropriate for groups of older adults whose access to nutritious food at home may be limited.
• Bring the fruit and vegetable servings up to recommended levels, especially dark green vegetables, orange vegetables and legumes.
• Ensure that whole grain-rich choices account for half of grain selections.
• Since older and disabled adults have lower calorie requirements, limit energy-dense foods such as fatty meats, sugar-sweetened beverages and desserts to reduce the intake of fat, sugars and calories.
• Monitor intake of Vitamins B12 and D, along with Calcium, to avoid the disabilities that can result from their under-consumption.

Although some of the recommendations are somewhat complicated, Roberts feels confident that the Adult Day Centers in the state have the administrative capacity to adapt to the changes. The Institute of Medicine also recommended that providers receive training and technical assistance to successfully adopt the new regulations. Roberts says they will communicate with providers during the comment period and then host training once the final regulations are published. Any agency interested in providing Adult Day Center services interested in participating in CACFP is welcome to contact her.

Featured: September 2012

Plan Objectives Addressed

• Reduce Food Insecurity
  
  
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Target Audience

Older adults

Region

Statewide