Is It Worth Doing The Food Program?

[sharlan]

I serve the kids tons of things I would never serve my own because of what the USDA food program requirements are.
The sheer volume of grain the food program requires, the volume of milk, the way the meals are laid out, etc.

For example: For MY kids breakfast I would give them scrambled eggs, a half of an avocado, and some cantelope. To drink, they could have water.
In the food program, scrambled eggs count for nothing as a breakfast food and I have to serve a grain and milk.

Eggs no longer count as a protein? I've been off the program for over 10 years now. I quit serving milk as only 1 of my kids will drink milk. I do have 1 that will drink chocolate milk. I serve juice for breakfast and water the rest of the day. I have 1 that won't drink water to save her life, but she's learning.

I'm not talking so much about quantities as quality. Just because the kids are "daycare" doesn't mean they deserve a lower quality.

[Country Kids]

I serve the kids tons of things I would never serve my own because of what the USDA food program requirements are.
The sheer volume of grain the food program requires, the volume of milk, the way the meals are laid out, etc.

For example: For MY kids breakfast I would give them scrambled eggs, a half of an avocado, and some cantelope. To drink, they could have water.
In the food program, scrambled eggs count for nothing as a breakfast food and I have to serve a grain and milk.

Now this shows you how different the program is! I serve breakfast for lunch at least twice a month and we have scrambled eggs each time and it counts. I also serve it for them for breakfast and it counts.

[itlw8]

Now this shows you how different the program is! I serve breakfast for lunch at least twice a month and we have scrambled eggs each time and it counts. I also serve it for them for breakfast and it counts.

eggs count as a protein but breakfast does not need a protein

[Little Star75]

I commented in blue.

I'm always surprised at how different the food program interpretations can be depending on each area.

I'm surprised myself after reading your comments, I live in California Santa Clara county to be exact. We are not allowed to feed the kids the same food more than once a day. For example, if I have left over chicken I can cook it differently and feed it to them but it can't be the exact same thing they had for lunch.

As far as pizza, we are allowed to serve it only if we order cheese pizza and add extra cheese and some veggies on the side to satisfy the 4 components (dinner).

So I'm quiet confused now :confused:

[LK5kids]

I loved the class until the lady said, "You do not have to feed the daycare kids the same quality of food you feed your family. An example is hot dogs. I buy my family kosher hot dogs, but feed the daycare kids chicken franks that I buy on sale for dirt cheap."

I will not feed my daycare kids anything that I would not serve to my own family.

What a horrible statement. What was she thinking saying something like that? :confused: Maybe it's true, but what a rotten message!

[sharlan]

What a horrible statement. What was she thinking saying something like that? :confused: Maybe it's true, but what a rotten message!

I was so offended with the message being presented that I left before the class was over.

Another meal she suggested was a small flour tortilla, orange, and milk for breakfast. That's really going to hold a little tummy over until lunch.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

For us you cannot serve anything from a restaurant.
Breakfast is grain, fruit or veggie, milk
Lunch/ dinner grain, protein, 2 servings fruit or veggie, milk
Snack any 2 components.
You can claim 2 meals and 1 snack. So I now I do am snack (breakfast)
Lunch and at 4 dinner(aka afternoon snack)
Lunch and dinner are a higher rate.

For me the food program is worth it. Online claiming is much easier than the paperwork.
Leftovers, yes you can prepare you meals ahead of time. I do that frequently. My best weeks are when I prep on Sundays!

[daycarediva]

I serve the kids tons of things I would never serve my own because of what the USDA food program requirements are.
The sheer volume of grain the food program requires, the volume of milk, the way the meals are laid out, etc.

For example: For MY kids breakfast I would give them scrambled eggs, a half of an avocado, and some cantelope. To drink, they could have water.
In the food program, scrambled eggs count for nothing as a breakfast food and I have to serve a grain and milk.

I agree with this 100%! I feed my family MUCH less grain than the food program requirements. I always add a protein to their breakfast, regardless of what the food program says is necessary.

I feed my daycare kids whole grain, locally grown organic produce and meats, so the cost is high. The food program is worth it for me, as it covers about 1/4 of my grocery bill every month, I am in tier 2.

[Angelsj]

I think it's worth it because in essence you get paid twice when you participate.
You get "paid" when you get your reimbursement checks and then you claim all of the meals that you served and even the meals you couldn't claim on the food program again on your taxes as a deduction. The reimbursement checks are extra income you wouldn't otherwise be getting.

For example:

If I didn't participate in the food program last year ...
I served 342 breakfast, 765 morning snacks, 949 lunches, 917 afternoon snacks, 575 suppers and 11 evening snacks.
I can claim $5,127.93 worth of meals.

If I participate in food program last year ...
I served 342 breakfast, 765 morning snacks, 949 lunches, 917 afternoon snacks, 575 suppers and 11 evening snacks.
Program reimbursed 342 breakfasts, 765 AM snacks, 949 lunches, 917 PM snacks, no suppers and no evening snacks.
I was able to claim $5,127.93 worth of meals on my taxes and
received almost $3,800 of extra income from the food program.

For me at least it was a no brainer, but then again our food program also accepts the Minute Menu submissions and I am paid the higher tier bracket. We also don't have tons of impossible paperwork, I just have to remember to mark my meals everyday.

Ok, you can claim the same meals, but you have to claim the $3800 more income as well. It more depends on how your taxes work out with the total income of you and your partner (if you have one) or if it is just you. Also when you want the cash. I prefer to get a larger refund, rather than the smaller monthly payments, but to each their own.

[Angelsj]

I serve the kids tons of things I would never serve my own because of what the USDA food program requirements are.
The sheer volume of grain the food program requires, the volume of milk, the way the meals are laid out, etc.

For example: For MY kids breakfast I would give them scrambled eggs, a half of an avocado, and some cantelope. To drink, they could have water.
In the food program, scrambled eggs count for nothing as a breakfast food and I have to serve a grain and milk.

This is exactly what did it for me. I do NOT believe kids need milk at all meals. If I want to serve yogurt with orange juice, it is the same basic nutrients as serving oranges and milk, but the food program only accepts one of those options.