Child Care Nutrition is Supported by the Food Program: The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a Federal program that promotes healthy meals and snacks to children in child care programs. As part of the CACFP, providers serve meals and snacks that meet specific guidelines and record children's attendance at meals and snacks. Providers also receive home visits several times a year, up-to-date information about feeding young children, a monthly newsletter, and various other support materials. The child care food program plays a vital role in improving the quality of child care and helping children get a healthy start in life.
CACFP Child Care Nutrition Requirements Children two and older receive meals and snacks based on the minimum components listed below. Children under the age of two have separate requirements, based on age and development.
Child Care Menus Good nutrition is vital to children's physical and mental development. My child care menus have been carefully designed to fulfill child care food program retirements, and to promote good nutrition and encourage the development of good eating habits that will last a lifetime. For more information please see our nutrition policies.
I serve fresh, in-season produce when available. Canned fruits are served when fresh fruit is scarce; canned vegetables are never served. Bread products are 100% whole wheat or mufti-grain; white breads are rarely served. I avoid products containing hydrogenated fats and high fructose corn syrup, and choose organic products whenever possible.