Cheese and Peanut Butter Sandwiches in the Child and Adult Care
Food Program
Sponsors participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) plan menus for
meals and snacks. Areas to consider when planning menus include variety of colors, textures,
shapes, flavors and food temperatures. Portions of food must also be considered when planning
menus. Portions that are too large can lead to overeating or seem overwhelming to young
children. Providing appropriate servings to young children is often the best way for them to learn
to eat only until satisfied, instead of overeating.
Some portions of food items, such as cheese and peanut butter might seem overwhelming to
young children if they are the only food item served within the meat/meat alternate component.
Consider these examples of cheese and peanut butter sandwiches which are sometimes served
in CACFP. Menu planners may want to consider planning a second meat/meat alternate when
serving cheese and peanut butter sandwiches.
Cheese Sandwiches
When planning to serve cheese sandwiches, remember to purchase creditable cheese items
labeled cheese food, cheese spreads, and processed or natural cheese. Any item labeled with
the wording “imitation” cheese or cheese “product” is not creditable towards meal pattern
requirements. Cheese slices can be packaged in half, two-thirds, three-fourths and one ounce
slices. Be sure to check the size of the slice for the cheese you purchase.
Determine how much cheese to put
on a sandwich to provide the
meat/meat alternate requirement for
each age group. When looking at the
nutrition label of this cheese, one
slice weighs 19 grams. Convert
grams to ounces by dividing the
number of grams per slice by 28
(twenty-eight grams equal one
ounce).
19 grams divided by 28 grams
= .67 or 2/3 oz.
One slice weighs 2/3 oz.
For a toddler one to two years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at lunch/supper
is one ounce. One and one-half slices of this cheese meet the one ounce requirement for a
toddler. One ounce requirement divided by .67 ounce slice = one and a half slices of
cheese (rounding up).
Shown is one and a half slices
of cheese on a half slice of
bread, the grain/bread
requirement for a child one to
two years of age at
lunch/supper. This amount of
cheese on a sandwich might
be overwhelming to a toddler.
For a preschool child three to five years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at
lunch/supper is one and a half ounces. With the cheese that weighs .67 ounces per slice, two
and a half slices meet the one and a half ounce requirement for a preschool child. One and a
half ounce requirement divided by .67 ounce slices = two and a half slices of cheese
(rounding up).
Shown is two and a half slices
of cheese on a half slice of
bread, the grain/bread
requirement for a child three to
five years of age at
lunch/supper. This amount of
cheese on a sandwich might
be overwhelming to a
preschool aged child.
For a school age child 6-12 years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at lunch/
supper is two ounces. With the cheese that weighs .67 ounces per slice, three slices meet the
two ounce requirement for a school aged child. Two ounce requirement divided by .67
ounce slices = three slices of cheese (rounding up).
Shown is three slices of cheese
on one slice of bread, the
grain/bread requirement for a
child 6-12 years of age at
lunch/supper. This amount of
cheese on a sandwich may not
be appealling to a school age
child.
Solutions
When planning menus, consider an additional meat/meat alternate to serve with a cheese
sandwich. Cottage cheese, beans or yogurt are options to serve with a cheese sandwich.
Another option is to add meat such as turkey to the cheese sandwich. Consider these menu
ideas.
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Yogurt and Strawberries
Steamed Broccoli
Milk
Cheese Sandwich
Bean Soup, USDA Recipe H-01
Watermelon, Green Beans
Milk
Turkey and Cheese Tortilla
Broccoli
Applesauce
Milk
Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Beef Vegetable Stew, USDA Recipe D-16
Orange Slices
Milk
Peanut Butter Sandwiches
For a toddler one to two years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at lunch/supper is
one ounce. Two tablespoons of peanut butter is equivalent to one ounce meat/meat alternate.
Shown is two
tablespoons of peanut
butter on a half slice of
bread, the grain/bread
requirement for a child
one to two years of age
at lunch/supper.This
amount of peanut butter
on a sandwich might be
overwhelming to a
toddler and could be a
choking hazard.
For a preschool child three to five years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at
lunch/supper is one and a half ounces. Three tablespoons of peanut butter is equivalent to one
and a half ounces meat/meat alternate.
Shown is three tablespoons
of peanut butter on a half
slice of bread, the
grain/bread requirement for a
child three to five years of
age at lunch/supper. This
amount of peanut butter on a
sandwich is overwhelming to
a preschool age child and
could be a choking hazard.
For a school age child 6-12 years of age, the meat/meat alternate requirement at lunch/supper
is two ounces. Four tablespoons of peanut butter is equivalent to two ounces meat/meat
alternate.
Shown is four tablespoons of peanut butter on one slice of bread, the grain/bread requirement
for a child 6-12 years of age at lunch/supper. This amount of peanut butter on a sandwich might
be unappealling to a school age child.
Solutions
When planning menus, consider an additional meat/meat alternate to serve with a peanut butter
sandwich. String cheese, cottage cheese, beans or yogurt are options to serve with a peanut
butter sandwich.
Menu Ideas
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Cottage Cheese and Peaches
Green Beans
Milk
Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich
Yogurt with Diced Peaches
Steamed Carrots
Milk
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Cheese Stick
Apple Slices, Peas
Milk
Peanut Butter Sandwich
Bean Soup, USDA Recipe H-01
Sliced Strawberries, Broccoli
Milk
Photos provided by Community Nutrition Programs. Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.