CACFP Manual for Emergency Shelters


Resources

This section provides many resources available to assist shelters participating in the CACFP.

Emergency Shelter Resources

The USDA website has a “CACFP in Emergency Shelters” page with links to related policy memos.

Some of these policy memos and their links are listed below:

Online Child Care Resources

The internet has a vast amount of information that can assist emergency shelters with their food service operations and the education of staff and children. Below are some resource recommendations that can also be found at our webpage under Resources.

Reducing the Risk of Choking in Young Children at Mealtimes

Children under the age of 4 are at a high risk of choking while eating. Young children are still learning how to chew food properly, and they often swallow the food whole. Their small airways can become easily blocked.

You can help reduce children’s risk of choking when eating by preparing food in certain ways, such as cutting food into small pieces and cooking hard food, like carrots, until it is soft enough to pierce with a fork. Remember, always supervise children during meals and snacks.

Prepare foods so they are easy to chew:

  • Finely chop foods into thin slices, strips, or small pieces (no larger than ½ inches), grate, mash, or puree foods. This is especially important when serving raw fruits and vegetables, as they may be harder to chew.
  • Small, round foods such as grapes, cherries, cherry tomatoes, and melon balls are common causes of choking. When serving these items to young children, slice them in half lengthwise and then into smaller pieces (no larger than 1/2“).
  • Cut tube-shaped foods, such as baby carrots, string cheese, hot dogs, etc., into thin strips, rather than round pieces.
  • In addition to the foods listed, avoid serving foods that are as wide around as a nickel, which is about the size of a young child’s throat.
  • Remove all bones from fish, chicken and meat.
  • Cook or steam hard foods, such as carrots, until it is soft enough to pierce with a fork
  • Remove seeds, pits, and tough skins/peels from fruits and vegetables.
  • Spread peanut butter thinly

Avoid Choking Hazards

To help prevent choking, do not serve small (marble-sized), sticky, or hard foods that are difficult to chew and easy to swallow whole, including:

  • Cheese cubes or blocks. Grate or thinly slice cheese before serving.
  • Chewing gum*
  • Dried fruit
  • Gummy fruit snacks*
  • Hard candy, including caramels, cough drops, jelly beans, lollipops, etc.*
  • Ice cubes*
  • Marshmallows*
  • Hard pretzels and pretzel chips
  • Nuts and seeds, including breads, crackers, and cereals that contain nuts and seeds.
  • Popcorn
  • Spoonfuls of peanut butter or other nut butters. Spread nut butters thinly on other foods (e.g., toast, crackers, etc.) Serve only creamy, not chunky, nut butters.

*Not creditable in the Child Nutrition Programs, including the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, and Summer Food Service Program.

Teach Good Eating Habits

Sit and eat with children at meals and snacks. Remind children to take small bites of food and swallow between bites. Eating together may help you quickly spot a child who might be choking. Other tips to help prevent choking while eating include:

  • Only providing foods as part of meals and snacks served at a dining table or high chair. When serving infants, do not prop the bottle up on a pillow or other item for the baby to feed him or herself.
  • Allowing plenty of time for meals and snacks.
  • Making sure children are sitting upright while eating.
  • Reminding children to swallow their food before talking or laughing.
  • Modeling safe behavior for children to follow, including eating slowly, taking small bites, and chewing food completely before swallowing.
  • Encouraging older children to serve as role models for younger children as well. All children should avoid playing games with food, as that may lead to an increased risk of choking.

Always watch or sit with children during meals and snacks!

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