Doubting the Food Program...

[Brooksie]

Last week I enrolled in the food program and decided to start it Nov 1st. I am on tier one and have notified my families that we will be starting in November. I just filled out the paper work to also be able to claim my own child and with my boyfriends income we are way over the cut off rate, and with just mine I'm $10.00 over I was really hoping to be able to claim her to make it worth it. Now that I realize that I'm doubting enrollment... I really don't know if I can front the months money in groceries as we are struggling horribly financially right now. I am also overwhelmed with everything on my plate and really don't know if I can handle this right now... Do you guys think I should put it off? I know its going to be a big adjustment and a struggle for the kids between the picky eaters and dds food allergies..I just don't know if its worth the effort right now and I don't even know if its feasible...

[Blackcat31]

Last week I enrolled in the food program and decided to start it Nov 1st. I am on tier one and have notified my families that we will be starting in November. I just filled out the paper work to also be able to claim my own child and with my boyfriends income we are way over the cut off rate, and with just mine I'm $10.00 over I was really hoping to be able to claim her to make it worth it. Now that I realize that I'm doubting enrollment... I really don't know if I can front the months money in groceries as we are struggling horribly financially right now. I am also overwhelmed with everything on my plate and really don't know if I can handle this right now... Do you guys think I should put it off? I know its going to be a big adjustment and a struggle for the kids between the picky eaters and dds food allergies..I just don't know if its worth the effort right now and I don't even know if its feasible...

If you are on tier 1 because of the area you live in, you should be able to count your own child despite your income. Atleast that is how I've always understood it.

Maybe for the first month, you could have parents chip in....bring snacks and such...

Or you could just opt for some really light and easy lunches until the reimbursement kicks in...

[LaLa1923]

If you are on tier 1 because of the area you live in, you should be able to count your own child despite your income. Atleast that is how I've always understood it.

Maybe for the first month, you could have parents chip in....bring snacks and such...

Or you could just opt for some really light and easy lunches until the reimbursement kicks in...

It's different in MD, you do have to apply to be counted.

[Brooksie]

Another big thing is the time... I have none of it right now. I'm overwhelmed with everything on my plate and am about to go back to school on top of it. I'm kind of freaking out a bit. I'm struggling finding the time to do lesson plans let alone finding the time to plan meals. I just had a breakdown to my boyfriend last week because I'm at that breaking point of stress..

[LaLa1923]

Last week I enrolled in the food program and decided to start it Nov 1st. I am on tier one and have notified my families that we will be starting in November. I just filled out the paper work to also be able to claim my own child and with my boyfriends income we are way over the cut off rate, and with just mine I'm $10.00 over I was really hoping to be able to claim her to make it worth it. Now that I realize that I'm doubting enrollment... I really don't know if I can front the months money in groceries as we are struggling horribly financially right now. I am also overwhelmed with everything on my plate and really don't know if I can handle this right now... Do you guys think I should put it off? I know its going to be a big adjustment and a struggle for the kids between the picky eaters and dds food allergies..I just don't know if its worth the effort right now and I don't even know if its feasible...

Personally, my son doesn't eat with the dc kids anyway.

[Blackcat31]

It's different in MD, you do have to apply to be counted.

Aw, that's a bummer.

Another big thing is the time... I have none of it right now. I'm overwhelmed with everything on my plate and am about to go back to school on top of it. I'm kind of freaking out a bit. I'm struggling finding the time to do lesson plans let alone finding the time to plan meals. I just had a breakdown to my boyfriend last week because I'm at that breaking point of stress..

:hug: :hug:

Sounds like you do have a lot going on! Sometimes we do need to step back and put things in perspective. Maybe you can just hold off for the month or even two and start claiming in January so it can be a new year with new practices...

Sometimes the amount of time we have to prepare makes ALL the difference.

Hang in there...life isn't always so crazy and chaotic! lovethis

[Familycare71]

This is the exact reason I stopped doing the food program. I was on teir two, still had to deduct cost of food on my taxes and it wasn't enough to make it worth my time! Plus I don't like creating reasons for the state to come- I have NOTHING to hide but when you have surely inspectors messing with the schedule I just didnt find it benefiting- I still do all the components except for offering two fruits, vegs at lunch if I don't want to.

[butterfly]

Last week I enrolled in the food program and decided to start it Nov 1st. I am on tier one and have notified my families that we will be starting in November. I just filled out the paper work to also be able to claim my own child and with my boyfriends income we are way over the cut off rate, and with just mine I'm $10.00 over I was really hoping to be able to claim her to make it worth it. Now that I realize that I'm doubting enrollment... I really don't know if I can front the months money in groceries as we are struggling horribly financially right now. I am also overwhelmed with everything on my plate and really don't know if I can handle this right now... Do you guys think I should put it off? I know its going to be a big adjustment and a struggle for the kids between the picky eaters and dds food allergies..I just don't know if its worth the effort right now and I don't even know if its feasible...

If you do some careful menu planning, shop from the grocery store's sale ads... you can make some pretty inexpensive meals and end up getting "reimbursed" for more than you paid to feed everyone. I would still go through with the food program, because you'll probably be money ahead in the long run. It can seem overwhelming to start with.

If your daughter doesn't qualify for tier 1, you'll still get paid for tier 2 though - correct? I'd just go for it.

Menu planning is the best way to feed the kids inexpensively. I make my menu before ever leaving the house to shop for groceries. I bet you could come up with most of your meals or a large portion of them with what you have on hand... (for atleast the first week, anyways)

Take a day off of activities and menu plan instead. What ever you decide :hug: to you.

[LaLa1923]

If you do some careful menu planning, shop from the grocery store's sale ads... you can make some pretty inexpensive meals and end up getting "reimbursed" for more than you paid to feed everyone. I would still go through with the food program, because you'll probably be money ahead in the long run. It can seem overwhelming to start with.

If your daughter doesn't qualify for tier 1, you'll still get paid for tier 2 though - correct? I'd just go for it.

Menu planning is the best way to feed the kids inexpensively. I make my menu before ever leaving the house to shop for groceries. I bet you could come up with most of your meals or a large portion of them with what you have on hand... (for atleast the first week, anyways)

Take a day off of activities and menu plan instead. What ever you decide :hug: to you.

No. we get nothing if we don't qualify

[NeedaVaca]

If you do some careful menu planning, shop from the grocery store's sale ads... you can make some pretty inexpensive meals and end up getting "reimbursed" for more than you paid to feed everyone. I would still go through with the food program, because you'll probably be money ahead in the long run. It can seem overwhelming to start with.

If your daughter doesn't qualify for tier 1, you'll still get paid for tier 2 though - correct? I'd just go for it.

Menu planning is the best way to feed the kids inexpensively. I make my menu before ever leaving the house to shop for groceries. I bet you could come up with most of your meals or a large portion of them with what you have on hand... (for atleast the first week, anyways)

Take a day off of activities and menu plan instead. What ever you decide :hug: to you.

If you are struggling so much financially this might be a good time to look at your budget and find some areas to save, get rid of cable, call insurance and cell to ask for lower rates, etc...definitely shop sales/coupon. When I first started couponing I was flat broke and had a hard time even coming up with money to "coupon/stockpile" but I knew if I found a way and stuck with it I would be better off in the long run.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Do your parents provide the food now?
For me the food program is a great way to help cover food costs and I feel like my parents know that I am not skimping on their meals.
You said your income is over but are you deducting your schedule C?

[melilley]

If you are on tier 1 because of the area you live in, you should be able to count your own child despite your income. Atleast that is how I've always understood it.

Maybe for the first month, you could have parents chip in....bring snacks and such...

Or you could just opt for some really light and easy lunches until the reimbursement kicks in...

My food rep said that I would be tier 1 because of the area, but my dh alone makes over the amount so I can't claim my kids.

And I agree, there are some really cheap lunches you can make and they are healthy!

[Heidi]

The food program at Tier 1 equals almost $5 per day per child. That's an extra $25 per week for each child in your group.

It literally takes 3 minutes at nap time to enter your meals (especially if you don't have a lot of kids under 1, which ups it to 5).

I don't preplan meals much. I usually have some leftovers from dinner set aside, add another component (another vegie or fruit), and milk. That's lunch. Once you're comfortable with the whole thing, THEN you can do a bunch of preplanning or get more creative. Just keep it basic.

I claim AM snack (8:45) which I usually feed a whole grain, fruit, and milk
Lunch: 11:45
Dinner: 3:45 (allowed here), cheese, crackers, 2 fruits or vegies (dried fruits, too), and milk

$4-5 a day per kid! If you have 5 children enrolled, you just gave yourself a $20-$25 per day raise!

[melilley]

I agree with Butterfly! If you do careful menu planning, you can save money and time. I do the same, most of the time I look at sales ads and go from there or sometimes I do plan, but change it if we have a big dinner and there is enough for lunch the next day. And for snacks, once you buy a box or bag or whatever of something it can last several weeks. I only have 2 full time and 2 part time dck's right now so I too keep going back and forth on whether to stay on it or not, but I think in the long run, I'll make some money or at least get reimbursed.

You can also make a little extra at dinner and put some aside right away and there is lunch for the next day! Crock pot meals are inexpensive and you can feed your family plus dck's. Also, simple meals like burritos (anything with beans), cheese quesadillas, bagel or english muffin pizzas, sandwiches, etc.. are fairly inexpensive to make. And if you look at the food serving requirements, they are fairly small. As long as you serve the minimum, you're good. Although, I do give my dck's more than the minimum if the want. As for the picky eaters, I will serve them the minimum and if they don't eat, I do give them something small (I know, most say they eat or don't eat, but I feel too bad) like lunch meat or something.

I will admit though, I hate planning the meals! I have mmk so it makes it easier, but I just can't stand doing it. And I do see where you are coming from if you don't have the money to start though. It is overwhelming at first, but once you get to doing it, it's fairly easy.

[Brooksie]

The food program at Tier 1 equals almost $5 per day per child. That's an extra $25 per week for each child in your group.

It literally takes 3 minutes at nap time to enter your meals (especially if you don't have a lot of kids under 1, which ups it to 5).

I don't preplan meals much. I usually have some leftovers from dinner set aside, add another component (another vegie or fruit), and milk. That's lunch. Once you're comfortable with the whole thing, THEN you can do a bunch of preplanning or get more creative. Just keep it basic.

I claim AM snack (8:45) which I usually feed a whole grain, fruit, and milk
Lunch: 11:45 Smilies

Dinner: 3:45 (allowed here), cheese, crackers, 2 fruits or vegies (dried fruits, too), and milk

$4-5 a day per kid! If you have 5 children enrolled, you just gave yourself a $20-$25 per day raise!

Without m daughter on the program I will only be claiming 3 kids. Hardly worth the extra effort right now.