Are Ritz Crackers CACFP Approved? A Guide to Creditable Grains

November 20, 2025 •

3 min read

According to official CACFP guidance, certain types of Ritz crackers are creditable as a grain component. However, this is contingent on the crackers meeting specific ingredient and nutritional criteria set by the USDA for the Child and Adult Care Food Program.

Quick Summary

An examination of CACFP guidelines confirms that specific Ritz cracker varieties are creditable toward the grain component, provided they meet enrichment requirements. Program operators must check ingredient lists to ensure compliance with USDA standards for creditable grains in snacks and meals.

Key Points

Creditable Status: Standard Ritz crackers are CACFP-approved because they contain enriched wheat flour, fulfilling the basic grain component requirement.
Whole Grain-Rich (WGR) Distinction: Serving enriched Ritz crackers does not satisfy the mandatory daily whole grain-rich serving; a separate WGR item must also be offered.
Ingredient Verification: Program operators must always check the ingredient list of any Ritz variety, especially newer or flavored versions, to ensure creditable grain content.
Non-creditable Desserts: Crackers are not considered grain-based desserts, which are non-creditable, unlike cookies or certain cereal bars.
Optimal Nutrition: For best practices, CACFP encourages serving whole-grain products like brown rice and whole-wheat bread more frequently, reserving enriched crackers for occasional use.
Serving Size Guidance: Resources from state agencies often provide specific guidance on ounce equivalents for creditable crackers, including Ritz Bits.

Understanding CACFP Grain Requirements for Crackers

The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federal program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children and adults. To receive this reimbursement, program operators must adhere to strict meal pattern guidelines, which include requirements for grains. When it comes to crackers, not all products are created equal in the eyes of the USDA. The primary rule is that a grain product, including crackers, must be either enriched or whole-grain to be creditable.

Are Standard Ritz Crackers Creditable?

Yes, standard Ritz crackers can be creditable as a grain component in the CACFP. This is because the primary ingredient is enriched wheat flour, which satisfies the program's basic requirement for a creditable grain. For example, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction specifically confirms that Ritz crackers are creditable due to their use of enriched flour. This creditable status applies to several standard varieties, including Original, Reduced Fat, and Roasted Vegetable, as documented in state-level CACFP resources.

The Whole-Grain Rich Requirement

While standard Ritz crackers are creditable, it is important to distinguish them from Whole Grain-Rich (WGR) products. CACFP meal patterns mandate that at least one serving of grains per day must be WGR. A product can be considered WGR in a few different ways:

Rule of Three: The first grain ingredient must be whole grain, and the next two grain ingredients (if any) must also be whole grain, enriched, bran, or germ.
Documentation: A manufacturer's Product Formulation Statement (PFS) or Child Nutrition (CN) Label can verify a product is WGR.
100% Whole Grain: The product is made entirely of whole grains, such as brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.

Standard Ritz crackers, which primarily use enriched flour, do not meet the WGR requirement. Therefore, if a program uses Ritz, they must still serve a separate WGR grain item on the menu that day, such as a whole-wheat tortilla or whole-grain rich bread.

Navigating Different Ritz Varieties

Different types of Ritz products may have varying creditable status under CACFP rules. Program operators must always check the ingredient list for each specific product to confirm its eligibility.

Ritz Bits (Sandwich Crackers): These are creditable, as confirmed in some state resources, and are listed with specific portion sizes.
Ritz Crackers with Whole Wheat: Some versions contain whole-wheat flour, and these would need to be evaluated based on the WGR criteria to determine if they meet the daily WGR requirement.
Grain-Based Desserts: Products that are considered a grain-based dessert are not creditable. While Ritz are not typically in this category, it is important to avoid serving non-creditable desserts like cookies or sweet granola bars that do not meet WGR or enriched criteria.

Whole Grain vs. Enriched Grain Crackers

This comparison highlights the core difference in how different types of crackers are credited in the CACFP. Enriched grain crackers are creditable, but cannot fulfill the daily whole-grain rich (WGR) requirement, making menu planning crucial.


Feature	Enriched Grain Crackers (e.g., Original Ritz)	Whole Grain-Rich Crackers (e.g., Whole Wheat varieties meeting criteria)
Creditable Status	Yes	Yes
WGR Fulfillment	No; does not count toward the daily WGR serving.	Yes; can fulfill the daily WGR requirement.
First Ingredient	Enriched wheat flour	Whole wheat flour or another whole grain
Nutrition	Contains restored B vitamins and iron, but lacks the fiber and nutrients found in the whole grain kernel.	Contains the entire grain kernel (bran, germ, and endosperm), providing more fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Program Best Practices	Should be served in moderation; USDA encourages more nutrient-dense options.	Recommended frequently to meet whole grain goals.

Conclusion

While original Ritz crackers are indeed approved for CACFP as a creditable grain component due to their use of enriched flour, their use requires careful menu planning. Program operators must remember that these crackers will not satisfy the daily Whole Grain-Rich (WGR) requirement. To ensure compliance and provide the most nutritious meals, operators should check the specific ingredient list of any Ritz variety and plan to serve a separate WGR grain product on the same day. Adhering to these guidelines ensures children and adults receive wholesome, reimbursable meals and snacks that meet all federal regulations. For the most authoritative information, operators should consult their state's CACFP agency and the USDA's official Food Buying Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can serve original Ritz crackers, but they do not count towards the daily Whole Grain-Rich (WGR) requirement. You must ensure at least one other grain serving during the day is WGR, like a whole-wheat tortilla or whole-grain bread.

To determine if a Ritz product is WGR, check the ingredients list. A whole grain should be the first ingredient listed, and it must meet the USDA's WGR criteria, such as the 'Rule of Three' or a manufacturer's label.

A creditable grain is made with either enriched or whole grain flour, while a whole grain-rich (WGR) grain must contain at least 50% whole grains by weight and use enriched flour for the remaining grain content. All WGR grains are creditable, but not all creditable grains are WGR.

Yes, state-specific CACFP guidelines list Ritz Bits, both cheese and peanut butter varieties, as creditable grain components with specific portion sizes.

No, crackers, including sweet crackers like graham and animal crackers, are not considered grain-based desserts and are creditable. However, the USDA recommends limiting sweet crackers due to their higher sugar content.

Official lists of creditable products are typically provided by your state's CACFP agency. The USDA Food Buying Guide and resources like those from the Hawaii Child Nutrition Programs offer comprehensive lists and crediting information.

For auditing purposes, you should maintain menu records specifying the grain served. If claiming a Ritz product as WGR (if applicable), you will need manufacturer documentation to prove it meets the criteria.