{"id":14257,"date":"2019-10-04T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/?p=14257"},"modified":"2019-10-01T10:54:40","modified_gmt":"2019-10-01T14:54:40","slug":"tempeh-and-school-lunch-reimbursement-and-other-child-nutrition-programs-in-the-usa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vrg.org\/blog\/2019\/10\/04\/tempeh-and-school-lunch-reimbursement-and-other-child-nutrition-programs-in-the-usa\/","title":{"rendered":"TEMPEH AND SCHOOL LUNCH REIMBURSEMENT AND OTHER CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS IN THE USA"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Photo from Soy Boy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This memo is from the United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service

This memorandum provides guidance on crediting tempeh in the child nutrition programs (CNPs), including the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Child and Adult Care Food Program, and Summer Food Service Program. Tempeh is a highly nutritious fermented soybean cake traditionally made from whole soybeans. Although mature beans have traditionally been credited as a meat alternate in the CNPs, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has not previously issued guidance on crediting tempeh. Based on stakeholder feedback, FNS is updating CNP food crediting guidance to explain how to credit tempeh as a meat alternate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In December 2017, FNS solicited\ncomments on the CNP crediting system through a Request for Information (RFI).\nFNS sought public input about specific foods, including tempeh, due to high\ninterest. FNS asked whether tempeh should credit, and if so, how tempeh should\ncredit. FNS also invited commenters to provide input on any ingredients,\nprocessing methods, or nutrient standards that FNS should consider, and to\nshare their ideas for incorporating tempeh into a reimbursable meal or snack.\nThe comments are available for review at https:\/\/www.regulations.gov\/docket?D=FNS-2017-0044<\/a>.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tempeh is used as a meat alternate\nin a variety of recipes, including stir-fries, sandwiches, and salads. The\n2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Dietary Guidelines) identify soy\nproducts as protein foods, and a good source of copper, manganese, and iron. A\nkey recommendation of the Dietary Guidelines is to consume a variety of protein\nfoods, including seafood, lean meats and poultry, eggs, legumes (beans and\npeas), and nuts, seeds, and soy products. As commenters noted, providing a\nstraightforward crediting method for tempeh provides improved access to an\nadditional vegetarian option, allowing program operators to diversify menus to\nmeet the dietary needs of participants with vegetarian preferences or dietary\nrestrictions for cultural or religious reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Program operators now may credit 1\nounce of tempeh as 1 ounce equivalent of meat alternate. This method of\ncrediting applies to tempeh with ingredients limited to soybeans (or other\nlegumes), water, tempeh culture, and for some varieties, vinegar, seasonings,\nand herbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FNS will update the Food Buying\nGuide for Child Nutrition Programs to include tempeh in the meat\/meat\nalternates section. To view the Food Buying Guide, please visit https:\/\/www.fns.usda.gov\/tn\/food-buying-guide-for-child-nutrition-programs<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Varieties of tempeh that include\nother creditable foods as ingredients, such as brown rice, sunflower seeds,\nsesame seeds, flax seed, and\/or vegetables, may also credit as meat alternates,\ngrains, and\/or vegetables. Since foods must be present in the minimum\ncreditable quantities (\u215b cup or \u00bc ounce equivalents) to credit in the CNPs,\ndocumentation must show how much tempeh and other creditable foods these\nproducts contain. Thus, to credit these varieties, program operators must\nobtain a Child Nutrition (CN) Label or a Product Formulation Statement (PFS)\nfrom the manufacturer. These varieties may credit based on the ingredient\nquantities identified in the CN Label or PFS. For more information, please see:<\/p>\n\n\n\n