Clarification for Appropriate Foods List Policy Number and Last Update
(03.05.05/01-2011)

On the following list are foods for which use in the center requires clarification.

The first column (1) states whether a food can be used to fulfill CCFP requirements;

The second column (2) establishes whether the item complies with the nutrition policy of IMSHSP.

The third column (3) offers guidance; and the fourth column (4) suggests alternative products.

FOOD ITEM CCFP IMSHSP GUIDANCE BUY INSTEAD
2% Milk YES YES Do NOT serve to children 2 yrs. and younger Whole Milk (2 & under)
Cottage Cheese YES YES Serve as a meat, not milk alternative
"Cheese Food" NO NO Don't serve - high additives and processing Real Cheese
Yogurt, Frozen Yogurt YES YES High Calcium content
Instant or Flavored Hot Cereals YES NO Don't serve - High cost, added sugar Quick or regular grits, Oatmeal, Cream-of-Wheat, etc.
Sweetened Cold Cereals YES NO Don't serve - High sugar content Serve only once per week: Mini Shredded Wheat, Chex, Cheerios, Puffed Rice, etc.
Saltines or Flavored Snack Crackers YES NO Don't serve - Additives, low nutrients, high salt Wheatsworth, Rye-Krisp, Triscuits, Graham Crackers, etc.
White Bread and Buns YES NO Don't serve - low vitamin content & fiber Any bread with whole grain listed as the first ingredient, e.g. Wonder 100% Whole Wheat, Oatmeal Goodness, Roman Meal Buns, 7-Grain Bread
White Flour Tortillas YES YES Serve only 2-3 times per week - high fat content, white flour Corn Tortillas, Whole Wheat Tortillas
Fruit and Powdered Drinks, Soda, Soft Drinks, Popsicles, Lemonades NO NO Don't serve - not 100% pur fruit juice Only juice that provides 100% daily allowance of vitamin C (calcium fortified preferred), e.g. Minute Maid Orange with Calcium, Frozen Real Fruit Pops
Canned Fruits and Vegetables YES YES Serve only 2-3 times per week - low vitamin content, low fiber, poor taste and appearance Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables
Instant Mashed Potatoes, Frozen French Fries YES NO Dont' serve - low vitamin content, high cost Raw potatoes for baking and boiling
Canned or Boxed Foods/Mixes, Mac & Cheese, Canned Soups & Stews, Muffin/Bread Mixes, Seasoning Mixes YES NO Don't serve - high cost, additives, low nutrients Raw ingredients, to make from scratch
Bacon NO NO Don't serve - preservatives, high fat content, high cost
Hot Dogs & Other Sausages, Cold Cuts YES NO No Don't serve - preservatives, high fat content, high cost Other meats, eggs, cheese
Frozen Fish Sticks or Squares YES NO Don't serve - high cost, fillers, high fat Frozen or fresh fish fillets without bones
Jams or Jellies YES NO Don't serve - no nutrients, high sugar content All-fruit spread (if anything)
Lard or Shortening YES NO Don't use Vegetable or Canola Oil
Jell-O YES NO Don't serve - no nutrients, high sugar content Knox unflavored gelatin, with fruit juice or vegetables
Potato Chips, Corn Chips, Pretzels, etc. NO NO Don't serve - salt, additives, sugar, high cost Whole-grain snacks
Cookies or Cakes YES YES Serve occasionally only if they contain a nutritious ingredient like peanut butter, oatmeal, carrots, pumpkin, etc.
Popcorn NO YES May be served occasionally as an extra
Non-Dairy Topping (e.g. Cool Whip) NO NO Don't use - even if it lists no sugar, sugar additives Yogurt
Sour Cream YES NO Don't serve - high fat content Light or Fat-free Sour Cream or Yogurt
Pudding (mix) NO NO Don't use - high cost, high sugar, additives Homemade custard or pudding as part of menu