# Plan a CACFP-compliant weekly menu for my childcare program

A Monday-to-Friday menu with age-based portions, required meal components, and seasonal produce that meets USDA CACFP meal patterns.

- Topic: Projects & Operations
- Framework: Few-Shot
- Level: Advanced
- Tags: Plan, Code, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/plan-a-cacfp-compliant-weekly-menu-for-my-childcare-program

## Prompt

```text
Help me plan a weekly menu for my childcare program that follows the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns.

**Program type:** [family/home daycare / childcare center / afterschool program]
**Meals and snacks served:** [e.g. breakfast, lunch, PM snack]
**Ages and number of children:** [e.g. "2 infants, 4 toddlers (1-2), 6 preschoolers (3-5)"]
**State and season or month:** [e.g. "Ohio, October"]
**Allergies, dietary needs, and cultural preferences:** [DETAILS]
**Budget and kitchen limits:** [e.g. "$X per child per day", "no oven", "30 min prep"]

Give me:
1. **A Monday-Friday menu table** - for each meal and snack, list every required component (milk, grains, meat/meat alternate, vegetables, fruits) and the item that meets it.
2. **Portion sizes by age group** from the current CACFP meal pattern charts. If you are not certain of an amount, mark it [CHECK MEAL PATTERN CHART] instead of guessing.
3. **Key rules applied** - e.g. whole-grain-rich requirement, limits on juice and grain-based desserts, milk type by age, no flavored milk for young children, sugar limits for cereals and yogurt. Note where each applies.
4. **Infant feeding** - a separate note for infants based on developmental readiness, and a reminder that infant meals follow their own pattern.
5. **Seasonal produce** for my area and month, worked into the menu.
6. **A shopping list** grouped by store section, and 2 make-ahead tips.

CACFP rules are updated periodically and state agencies add their own requirements - tell me to confirm the menu with my sponsoring organization or state agency. Flag allergy substitutions as needing a written plan from the child's parent or doctor.
```

## What to fill in

- family/home daycare / childcare center / afterschool program
- e.g. breakfast, lunch, PM snack
- e.g. "2 infants, 4 toddlers (1-2), 6 preschoolers (3-5)"
- e.g. "Ohio, October"
- DETAILS
- e.g. "$X per child per day", "no oven", "30 min prep"
- CHECK MEAL PATTERN CHART

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.