This guide provides information for estimating the amounts of food to buy to meet the required meal patterns for young children in child care centers under the Special Food Service Program for Children. A list is given specifying the minimum requirements for meals or snacks approved for cash reimbursement by USDA. A brief description of the required food components is included. Two methods for estimating the amounts of food needed are presented along with some information on can and jar sizes, substitution of can sizes, changing ounces to pounds, abbreviations and equivalent food measures. The largest part of the guide is devoted to a table which lists various foods in terms of: (1) the form in which they are obtained; (2) the size and description of a serving; (3) purchase units; and (4) purchase units of food to buy for 25 or 50 servings. (SDH)