Contributions Tab

The Contributions tab is used to indicate what meal component contributions an item provides as part of a reimbursable meal and associated sub-groups.

For a video demonstration on how to set up contributions, click here. * include link when it is available *

Item Contributions
You may define contributionsfor multiple serving sizes. When entering a contribution, you must enter the serving size (quantity) and select the measurement.Then, enter the component contribution amounts. For example, if your item is a sandwich that provides 8 ounces of meat for each sandwich served, enter 1 under Quantity, EACH under Measurement,and 8 under Meat/Meat Alt (oz eqv). For certain items, you may have different serving sizes that reflect different contributions.For example, you may serve 4 chicken nuggets to lower grade levels and 6 chicken nuggets to the older students. Click Add to add an entry that specifies another possible serving size. Click the red X to delete a contribution entry.

Crediting Considerations
Some vegetables and fruits do not credit on a volume-as-servedbasis (i.e. 1 cup credits as 1 cup).Conversion must be made first before creditable amounts can be entered.

Example: Dried Fruit - twice the volume as served (1/2 cup credits as 1 cup) Raw leafy greens - half the volume as served (2 cups credits as 1 cup)

It's important to enter only creditable amounts.

Sub-Groups
To further define what contributions are served with your item, click the plus sign on the left of the contribution to expand the Sub-Groups menu. To add a sub- group, select either Grains, Fruit, Vegetables, or Milk from the drop-down menu. Then, enter the quantity of this sub-group contained in the contribution under Quantity. For breakfast meals using substitutions,select Substitutions.For condiments, select Condiments.

Note: The Condiments option will be unavailable if any other contribution or sub- group information is entered (except for Quantity and Measurement)for the given contribution record.

Grains
When defining specific sub-group contributions,for grains, specify the quantity under Quantity and if the grains are whole rich grains or grain-based dessert under Attribute.

Fruit
For fruit, specify the quantity of cups present as fruit juice under Quantity.

Milk
For milk, specify the quantity under Quantity , if the milk is flavored or unflavored, and if it is reduced fat (2%), low fat (1%), or fat-free (skim) under Attribute.

Vegetables
For vegetables, specify the quantity under Quantity. Then, define the sub-group category under SubGroup (Dark Green, Red/Orange, Beans/Peas, Starchy, and Other), note whether the vegetable is in the form of juice under Attribute, and specify the type of vegetable under Type. If you are unsure of the exact vegetable being used, select the appropriate Unspecified option (Example: if the SubGroup is "Dark Green", the Type would be "Dark Green Unspecified").If you know the vegetable but it is not listed under Type, click New Type to create an entry for the new vegetable type.

Substitutions
Breakfast meals do not have a requirement for meat and vegetable component contributions.Instead, meat can be used to fulfill grain requirements,and vegetables can be used to fulfill fruit requirements.To have the component fulfill fruit contributions,select Vegetables for Fruit. To have the component fulfill grain contributions,select Meat/Meat Alt for Grains.

Condiments
For condiments, leave the contribution fields blank. Items marked as condiments may be added to a reimbursable meal without having other contribution information defined. This lets you add condiments as part of a reimbursable meal without counting toward the meal pattern analysis.

Note: The Condiments option will be unavailable if any other contribution or sub- group information is entered (except for Quantity and Measurement) for the given contribution record.

To remove a sub-group, click the red X next to the sub-group entry. To hide the Sub- Groups menu, click the minus sign to the left of the main contribution entry.

When you are finished adding contribution information, click Save. If any required fields are not defined, an asterisk will appear next to the field to prompt more complete information.

Disclaimer: The food-based components of the software have not been evaluated or approved by the USDA.