The Zink Field Kit · Nº 7
Per the USDA NSLP pattern, eff. 7/1/2024
Per the USDA NSLP pattern, eff. 7/1/2024
The meal pattern, posted.
Weekly minimums per student, daily minimums in parentheses. Offer-versus-serve: students may decline two of five components but must take ½ cup fruit or vegetable.
Weekly (daily) · K-5 / 6-8 / 9-12
Fruits (cups)2½ (½) / 2½ (½) / 5 (1)
Vegetables (cups)3¾ (¾) / 3¾ (¾) / 5 (1)
Grains (oz eq)8–9 (1) / 8–10 (1) / 10–12 (2)
Meat / meat alt (oz eq)8–10 (1) / 9–10 (1) / 10–12 (2)
Milk (cups)5 (1) — all groups
Calories per lunch550–650 / 600–700 / 750–850
Service rules that touch equipment
Milk & share-table TCS items≤41°F, iced or refrigerated
Seated eating time (CDC)≥20 minutes
Serving lines (federal design rule)1 per 200–250 diners per period
The pattern is the spec sheet upstream of the spec: cups of vegetables become pans and cold wells, milk becomes cooler capacity, grains become oven and holding space.
zinkfsg.com/resources/school-meal-pattern/ — the calculator, multiplied to your enrollmentYour rep: · 800.492.7400