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California CACFP Bulletin: Expanding Fluid Milk Options in Child Nutrition Programs

Writer: Samantha Marshall
Samantha Marshall
Aug 10
2 min read

This CACFP Bulletin provides guidance on the final rule published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture on May 8, 2026, which became effective June 8, 2026, and expands fluid milk options by allowing operators of the Child and Adult Care Food Program to offer whole and reduced-fat milk to participants two years old and older.


This CACFP Bulletin also provides guidance to licensed child care centers and family child care homes on changes to state licensing policy.  


For questions regarding this subject, contact the CDSS CACFP Nutrition Team by email at CACFPMealPatterns@dss.ca.gov.


Background

USDA made a new rule that became effective on June 8th allowing flexibilities for the fat content of milks that could be served to children two years and older, as well as adult participants. This caused confusion in the child care sector because this new federal rule no longer matched child care licensing rules.


Stakeholders, including the CACFP Roundtable, the Child Care Licensing Division, and CACFP Branch worked together to align the policies so there would not be confusion moving forward, which included licensing releasing a PIN aligning the state policy with the federal policy.



You can always reach to to me too! We love hearing from you: samantha@cacfproundtable.org


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