Purpose and frequency
Create complete regular and infant menus, obtain approval, enter them in CACFP/AcuTrak, and verify the upcoming week every Friday. Cover every operating day, including a fifth week when applicable.
Procedure
1. Build separate monthly regular and infant meal plans in Excel. Include all applicable breakfast, snacks, lunch, dinner, and evening snack services.
2. Check meal-pattern requirements, age-appropriate milk and infant formula/breastmilk, creditable components, dates, variety, spelling, and serving sizes.
3. Convert the approved weekly plans into readable regular and infant menu images. Save the source files and images in the approved monthly folder.
4. Submit the complete plans and images to the designated approver. Do not upload or publish menus until approval is clearly confirmed; make requested corrections and retain the approved versions.
5. In CACFP/AcuTrak, open Custom Menus and create separate entries for each meal service and date. Use a consistent date-based code such as B1, AM1, L1, PM1, D1, and ES1, continuing through the month.
6. Open Planning → Meal Planning and assign the approved custom menus to each operating date. Save each week’s entries.
7. Enter the infant menu for every applicable date, selecting the correct milk/formula and developmentally appropriate solid foods.
8. Preview or download the regular and infant menus and compare them with the approved plans. Correct missing, duplicated, or misdated entries.
Quality checklist
- Four- or five-week month fully covered
- Regular and infant plans separated and approved
- Meal-pattern and milk requirements checked
- All custom menu codes match calendar dates
- All meal services assigned and saved
- Infant entries match the approved plan
- Upcoming week verified every Friday