Meal Pattern and Production Records
Meal pattern requirements outline the required food components and nutrient standards for School Nutrition Programs.
Offer versus Serve is an element of meal pattern requirements that requires certain food items and/or components to be offered and served.
- The goal of Offer vs Serve is to reduce food waste and allow students to choose the foods they want to eat.
- A food component is one of the five food categories: fruits, vegetables, meats/meat alternates, grains, and fluid milk
- A food item is a specific food offered within the five food components. For example, a cup of sliced apples and a cup of grapes are two different food items.
- View the Offer versus Serve Manual for additional information.
Production records are required to document adherence to meal pattern requirements.
Meal Pattern
5-Day Week Breakfast Meal Pattern
3-, 4-, 6-, and 7-Day Week Breakfast Meal Pattern
Offer versus Serve
Offer versus Serve Breakfast Tip Sheet
- Optional but strongly encouraged for elementary, middle, and high schools
- Schools participating in Offer versus Serve must…
- Offer students at least four food items from all three required meal components (fruits and/or vegetables, grains and/or meats/meat alternates, and fluid milk).
- Students must select at least three food items, including ½ cup of fruits and/or vegetables.
Production Records
Breakfast Production Record (PDF | Word)
Multi-Day Milk Production Record (PDF | Word)
Delivery Ticket for Meal Service (PDF | Word)
Training
Go to NDE’s Training page to view the Breakfast Meal Pattern, Meal Service, and Documentation & Recordkeeping training videos for more information.
Meal Pattern
3-, 4-, 6-, and 7-Day Week Lunch Meal Pattern
Offer versus Serve
Offer versus Serve Lunch Tip Sheet
- Required for high schools
- Optional but strongly encouraged for elementary and middle schools
- Schools participating in Offer versus Serve must…
- Offer students all five required meal components (fruits, vegetables, grains, meats/meat alternates, and fluid milk).
- Students must select at least three meal components, including ½ cup of fruits and/or vegetables.
Production Records
Lunch Production Record (PDF | Word)
Multi-Day Food Bar Production Record (PDF | Word)
RCCI Multi-Day Food Bar Production Record (PDF | Word)
Multi-Day Milk Production Record (PDF | Word)
Delivery Ticket for Meal Service (PDF | Word)
Training
Go to NDE’s Training page to view the Lunch Meal Pattern, Meal Service, and Documentation & Recordkeeping training videos for more information.
Meal Pattern
SNP K-12 Afterschool Snack Meal Pattern
Offer versus Serve
Offer versus Serve is not allowed. Two components must be offered and selected.
Production Record
Afterschool Snack Production Record (PDF | Word)
Training
Go to NDE’s Afterschool Snack Program page for training and more information.
If preschoolers are co-mingled with K-12 students…
- follow the School Nutrition Program meal pattern
- Offer versus Serve is allowed for breakfast and lunch meal patterns
If preschoolers are NOT co-mingled with K-12 students…
- follow the CACFP meal pattern
- Offer versus Serve is NOT allowed
For information on CACFP Preschool Meal Pattern and Production Records, visit NDE’s CACFP Forms and Resources page.
For a information on School Nutrition Program versus CACFP Preschool meal pattern, view the Preschool Meals training video for more information.
Water
Plain, potable water and cups must be available to students at no charge during the breakfast and lunch meal services in the food service area. Water can be provided via water fountains, water pitchers, bottled water, etc.
Signage
Signage that shows and describes what makes a reimbursable meal must be posted in a visible location at each site where students eat for the School Breakfast and/or Lunch Programs. Order free signage by completing the Materials Order Request Form.
Resources
The Food Buying Guide is designed to help you…
- buy the right amount of food and purchase it in the most cost-effective manner
- and determine the specific contribution each food makes toward the meal pattern requirements.
To learn how to use this tool, create/sign into your account and view how-to videos on using the Food Buying Guide.
- List of common items, purchase units, and serving sizes