Does Food Program Really Cover Food Costs?

[kpa0627]

Just wondering.... because I am signing up for the food program soon. If I have 6 children that eat Breakfast, Lunch and 1 snack Monday through Friday and am on the tier that gets paid the lowest amount per meal/child does it actually cover the cost of food?
From my research: Breakfast reimbursement rate: .44
Lunch reimbursement rate: 1.33
Snack reimbursement rate: .18
That's only $11.70 a day or $58.50 a week to feed 6 children.
How do you guys make that work? Is that enough money? How much do you guys spend a week? Just want to get a budget together so I know how much I need to set aside to spend out of pocket for groceries.
Cheap meal ideas.. that follow the food program guidelines anyone??

[jen]

The food program is not meant to cover the entire cost of the meals children are served. The point is to HELP providers with the costs so that they are more likely so serve healthy meals and ensure that they meet minimum requirements.

We serve organic whole foods, being on the food program allows me to spend the extra money to purchase organic apples over applesauce or canned fruit in syrup.

Lots and lots of parents will pay a few dollars more each week for daycare that includes whole foods rather than processed and organics...it makes a great selling point for your daycare!

[tymaboy]

Jen is right. The check is very helpful each month & is much better then having to wait to the end of the year to claim it. You still get to claim the meals you serve at the end of the year just not as much since you are being reimbursed threw out the year.

[TGT09]

I wonder if I could get the food program even though I'm not licensed? In Ohio you don't have to be licensed.

[jen]

In Minnesota you have to be licensed. This is a federal program, so I assume that the basic rules apply to every state.

[Crystal]

Yes, for food program you have to be licensed. No exceptions.

[sahm2three]

Not at all. Honestly, with all the paperwork and then entering it onto their website, I don't think it is worth it. It is sooooooooooo much extra time and stress making sure they have just enough of this and that. Plus, I have families that don't allow their kids to drink milk and I have to still put it in front of them or get into trouble. So waste. Lots and lots of waste! The kids don't eat near all of what I am required to feed them. I am going to give it a try thru the summer (since I will be feeding so many more kids at each meal time). But I may not continue next school year.

[Crystal]

I totally think it's worth it. I get over $800 a month in reimbursement. I couldn't feed the kids as well as I do without it. I enter attendance and meals at the end of every day on-line and that's it.

[kpa0627]

Ok thanks for replies. I understand it a little better. I will no longer look at it as to cover ALL expenses but simply reimburse me for part of my food expenses. What do you guys usually spend a week total for food for children and how many do you have in care?

[Pammie]

I wonder if I could get the food program even though I'm not licensed? In Ohio you don't have to be licensed.

You're right...we don't have to be licensed in Ohio...but to be on a food program, you have to be affiliated with a sponsoring agency. Here in Central Ohio it's Action for Children. So to be on the food program here, you have to become one of AFCs registered daycare providers.

[sahm2three]

Ok thanks for replies. I understand it a little better. I will no longer look at it as to cover ALL expenses but simply reimburse me for part of my food expenses. What do you guys usually spend a week total for food for children and how many do you have in care?

We spend at least $40 to $50 extra a week. That is with clipping coupons and buying in bulk. So at LEAST an extra $200 a month. I don't get anywhere near that in reimbursement because of being on Tier 2, which I think is a crock.

[kpa0627]

Oh really, I will be on tier 2 also and with 6 kids eating bfast, lunch and snack each day it ends up being 58.50 a week for reimbursement (that's if they are all here all 5 days!)

[GretasLittleFriends]

Not at all. Honestly, with all the paperwork and then entering it onto their website, I don't think it is worth it. It is sooooooooooo much extra time and stress making sure they have just enough of this and that. Plus, I have families that don't allow their kids to drink milk and I have to still put it in front of them or get into trouble. So waste. Lots and lots of waste! The kids don't eat near all of what I am required to feed them. I am going to give it a try thru the summer (since I will be feeding so many more kids at each meal time). But I may not continue next school year.

I asked about the food waste when I first started with the food program. The answer I was given was that I have to "offer" the food. The children don't have to eat/drink it. I was also told I could feed the kids "family style" meaning I set the dishes out for each child, then put all of the food in the center of the table. The deal with that is I need to have enough food for each child a serving. So, if I have 6 kids and they all need to be offered 1/4c of green beans I cook up 1.5c of green beans, and set them on the table and dish up each child's individually. I know Johnny doesn't like green beans, but I put a few on his plate offering them to him. If he wants more his helping is available in the pot, yet not wasted.

[Janet]

Food program...bah!!!

If I could go back in time and not have wasted my time with the food program, I would! I think it's more of a hassle than a helpful thing. My reimbursement is only slightly over $200 a month and I am almost always at capacity. I had a friend who had less kids in care (not counting her own 3) and she got about $800 a month. It's not like groceries cost any less for me to buy than for her! I hate getting the food program visits, especially when they are the unscheduled ones. I feel like I have to take too much attention away from my dcks and I really don't like that. I hate having to serve whole or 2% milk to the kids when I would much rather serve 1%. The food program check barely puts a scratch on my grocery bill. OK, vent over, !

[TGT09]

You're right...we don't have to be licensed in Ohio...but to be on a food program, you have to be affiliated with a sponsoring agency. Here in Central Ohio it's Action for Children. So to be on the food program here, you have to become one of AFCs registered daycare providers.

Awesome, thanks Pammie! I was hoping another Ohioan would chime in. :-) Any ideas on how to find a sponsoring agency in my area?? Google? I'm in the Cincy area.