home raised meat and food program

[melskids]

the thread about school lunches got me thinking about something...

*warning* any vegans out there, please dont flame me for what youre about to read!

ive asked my food program rep, and she really didnt know and said she was going to get back to me.

when i looked in the book of creditable foods, its says no wild game or home slaughtered meat.

what if i'm not the one to butcher it?

who's to say i dont raise a pig, or take a deer in my own back yard, and bring it to a licensed butcher who is inspected by the FDA or USDA?( or whoever it is that does it..) does it count then?

and seriously, are they ever going to ask to see the wrapper when i roast a chicken for lunch?

it also says no home canned foods. well, what about my neighbor who cans her own foods, but is licensed and inspected to sell at farmers markets? can i use that?

or even buying fresh eggs and butter from a local farmer? how does that work?

i'm sorry for all the questions, i just dont seem to be getting anywhere with my rep.

i'm slowly trying to incorporate local grown foods into my program, and just think it would be an overall good experience for these kids to see where real food comes from...even if that means giving up the food program in the end.

[Blackcat31]

Yes, they support the use of farm fresh vegetables and fruits but not wild game or farm raised meats (poultry, pork or beef etc) because it needs to be inspected by a licensed USDA rep. You cannot use home canned things fro fear of improper canning methods and the food program not being sure that someone did it right just because they said they did. Eggs must be purchased from a grocery store so they can be "candled" for imperfections etc.

and yes, my food program rep asks often to see the wrappers so that she can verify that the things I serve are what I say they are.

I called and asked my food program people and she explained everything to me. We are a community of hunters and fishermen so there are lots who want to serve that type of thing.

I think there was a thread about this so I will try to search for it.

[Blackcat31]

okay, here is the link to the thread: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34622

I responded and posted a link in post # 21. Hope it helps.

[melskids]

thanks blackcat31!

so, we wanted to get chickens next spring. i cant even use the eggs we collect then?

humph!

i only qualify for tier 2 as it is. im not sure if its even worth it.

gonna go check that thread out now!!!

[Blackcat31]

I hear ya. If I only qualified for tier 2, I would seriously consider not doing the food program, serve what I choose (since there are no real rules about wild game or eggs or anything else then) and just take the standard meal deduction then on my taxes. I think it might be a better option.

If I am not mistaken, I think that is how Nan is allowed to serve what she wants.....by not doing the food program.

[melskids]

well, you know it kinda erks me a bit that i cant serve home grown foods, but corn chips and boxed mac and cheese is OK.

[nannyde]

I hear ya. If I only qualified for tier 2, I would seriously consider not doing the food program, serve what I choose (since there are no real rules about wild game or eggs or anything else then) and just take the standard meal deduction then on my taxes. I think it might be a better option.

If I am not mistaken, I think that is how Nan is allowed to serve what she wants.....by not doing the food program.

No I'm on the food program but all my meats go thru a USDA certified butcher.

We are allowed to buy chickens and turkey through the farmer if HE is certified to slaughter on his property. I use Bontrager Farms for my chicken and eggs.

The buffalo comes from a meat locker. The game I serve has been processed at a meat locker and is stamped.

Luckily my relatives that hunt are too lazy to do their own slaughter. They take it to be processed.

I don't can so I don't have to worry about that. I freeze.

I still want me some moose meat. I don't care if it goes thru a locker or not. I wouldn't dare share that.

Black ... ask your rep if you can SERVE it if you don't CLAIM it. I know that's allowed in some areas. That means that you could put in a beef roast with a venison roast.... serve the one ounce of beef for each kid as required to claim and give them venison as EXTRA.

[nannyde]

well, you know it kinda erks me a bit that i cant serve home grown foods, but corn chips and boxed mac and cheese is OK.

You can't serve your own home grown veggies?

I've never even looked that up. That's rediculous.

My food program rep walks by my front garden when she comes to visit. They LOVE that we grow food. They write down our growing as our "activity" in the spring, summer, and fall.

[melskids]

You can't serve your own home grown veggies?

I've never even looked that up. That's rediculous.

My food program rep walks by my front garden when she comes to visit. They LOVE that we grow food. They write down our growing as our "activity" in the spring, summer, and fall.

no, i meant like meat and eggs. i know the veggies and fruits i can serve.

but thanks for the info! ...thats what i was wondering...if i took it to a USDA certified butcher..then i can serve it.

i assume cheeses and butter would be the same? the farmer would need to be USDA certified?

[Country Kids]

I need to double check but I think we are allowed to have chickens but not the chicks. Something about the children can catch some disease from them. Still need to read that paperwork-add to the do do list-#438!::

[littlemommy]

My food program lady just came for a visit today. She said farm fresh eggs are okay to claim. She thinks home slaughtered meat would be okay too, but is going to look into it for sure. She wasn't aware of any rules against either.

She said the only thing I cannot claim is home canned fruits/veggies due to the risk of botulism.

[MN Mom]

I recived my informatory packet on licensing procedures yesterday (state of MN). As I read it, I cannot serve what I want...regardless if I'm on the food program. Here is what is says for us regarding food, and I assume this means I can serve home canned tomatoes, pickles, applesauce, peaches etc.

"No hermetically sealed (canned), nonacid or low-acid food which has been processed in a place other than a commercial food-processing establishment shall be served to children in care. Low-acid food includes meats, fish, and poultry and most vegetables and is required to be steam-pressure canned by the USDA in Bulletin number 8, "Home Canning of Fruits and Vegetables," 1983 edition. Fresh and frozen foods, properly canned tomatoes, pickled foods, and canned fruits such as apples, berries, peaches, apricots, jams, and jellies may be served to children in care. The USDA "Home Canning of Fruits and Vegetables," Home and Garden Bulletin number 8 1983 edition, is incorporated by reference. It is not subject to frequent change and is available through Minitex interlibrary loan system, or by writing the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C., 20402 "

[Blackcat31]

Here is the guide that tells us what is and isn't credible http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources...&id=4e8677a911

On page 21 at the bottom it says "All “game” meat must be purchased from a USDA inspected establishment. Wild game is not allowed to be used in FNS Child
Nutrition Programs"

Eggs absolutely must have the USDA stamp of approval saying they were inspected by a USDA approved facility. Fresh eggs are NOT ok to serve unless they have the stamp. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources...=&id=4e8674df5


On page 5 (or 2.4) near the bottom of this document it says no home canned foods http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Resources...&id=4e86718011