Overview
There are five required meal pattern components in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), including Meat/Meat Alternate (M/MA), Grain, Milk, Fruit, and Vegetable. There are three required meal pattern components in the School Breakfast Program (SBP), including Grain, Fruit (or Vegetable), and Milk. These must be offered by schools during each lunch meal and each breakfast meal, respectively.
Meat/Meat Alternate
- Meat/Meat Alternate In a Nutshell
- Webcast: The Meat/Meat Alternate Component (also available in Spanish)
- Offering Meats and Meat Alternates at School Breakfast(USDA) (Spanish)
- Get Creative with Meat and Meat Alternates
- Crediting Tofu and Soy Yogurt Products, SP 53-2016, USDA, 08/08/2016
- Shelf-stable, Dried Snacks Made from Meat, Poultry, or Seafood SP 21-2019, USDA, 04/17/19
- Questions and Answers on Alternate Protein Products (USDA)
Grain
- Grains In a Nutshell
- Webcast: The Grain Component (also available in Spanish)
- Whole Grain Resource for the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs (USDA)
- Grain Requirements for the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program SP 30-2012, USDA, 04/26/12
- Whole Grains Council - Recipes and resources
- Crediting
Milk
- Milk In a Nutshell
- Webcast: The Milk Component (also available in Spanish)
- Variety Item Recipe (previously "Milk Recipe")
- This recipe template may be used for the same amount of a variety of items that are put out daily, such as milk, juice, fruit, or cereal.
- Nutrition Requirements for Fluid Milk SP 29-2011, USDA, 04/14/11
- Bulk Milk: considerations for purchasing and serving
- Wisconsin Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
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For hot chocolate promotional materials, contact:
Karen Doster, Director, Youth and School Programs, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin
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Inadequate Fluid Milk Supply: If your SFA cannot get a supply of fluid milk due to an emergency, please submit an Inadequate Fluid Milk Supply Request within 2 business days to the School Nutrition Team. Find more information within the Federal Regulations [7 CFR 210.10(d)(2)].
Vegetable
- Vegetables In a Nutshell
- Webcast: The Vegetable Component (also available in Spanish)
- Vegetable Subgroups Handout (Spanish)
- Half-Cup Crediting of Fruits and Vegetables Handout
- Meal Requirements under the NSLP and SBP: Questions and Answers for Program Operators SP 38-2019, USDA, 9/23/19
- See #78 under Meal Patterns for guidance on offering vegetable subgroups within a shorter or longer school week.
- A Guide to Peas, Lentils, Chickpeas & Beans - USA Pulses