When Your On The Food Program

[morgan24]

Yep, we are grain free and I can report my family is all alive and well and growing perfectly. There are plenty of carbs in dairy foods as well as tons in fruit and a good amount in veggies. Plus the preferred fuel for our bodies is fat, not carbs. Grains are not necessary to our diets, every single grain (even the ones labeled "whole grain) is a processed food. They are all processed in some way. Why do you think grains have to be fortified? If they were so healthy wouldn't they be fine the way the are? You don't see meat or veggies with labels saying "now fortified with..." Also grains actually have anti-nutrients that interfere with digestion. There is plenty of research out there on this.

OP, I think it's fair to let the mom opt out of the food program and pay you to provide food or to bring her own. A parent should be able to feed their child the way they think is best.

I agree a parent should be able to feed their child how ever they choose and I respect her right to do that. That why I'm trying to figure something out that will work for both of us. She doesn't want to bring her own food except for goats milk. Dcg will eat everything else but the grain. So if we have Mac and cheese, she will get just the cheese, veggie and fruit. I'll contact my FP rep and see what she says.

My personal family is grain free, so I understand the reasons she is choosing to go grain free. The FP income is a pretty fair amount of money per year that I don't really want to lose.

[dalman]

After reading everyone's replies, I am surprised that so many are willing to accept what their food program worker says as gospel. The food program is a USDA federally funded government program serviced by individual state agencies. The federal and/or state government can not usurp a parents right to raise their child the way they see fit. A parent, a citizen of the United States, has rights. They have the right to refuse to participate in the food program. I don't care what an individual food program worker tries to spew as truth. A parent does not have to participate. They must sign the consent to refuse the service and the provider must keep this form in their food program file. Your food program worker may not be aware of this form. What a provider and a parent work out after that is signed, is between the two of them, providing it does not involve neglect or harmful behavior.

Just because the government says we must eat a certain way, does not make it right. What happened to critical thinking skills and thinking outside the box and perhaps finding a better way? For example, our bodies do not need milk. We were not even able to tolerate cows milk for many years. But over the years, dairy farmers developed a mutation that allowed them to digest milk. Prior to that, we were all lactose intolerant. Those that can drink milk are actually mutated. Those that can not and are labeled lactose intolerant are actually "normal". We were never supposed to drink cows milk, but the American Dairy Association and the Federal government have been feeding the masses this lie for so long, that it has become "truth". Just food for thought.

[CraftyMom]

I agree a parent should be able to feed their child how ever they choose and I respect her right to do that. That why I'm trying to figure something out that will work for both of us. She doesn't want to bring her own food except for goats milk. Dcg will eat everything else but the grain. So if we have Mac and cheese, she will get just the cheese, veggie and fruit. I'll contact my FP rep and see what she says.

My personal family is grain free, so I understand the reasons she is choosing to go grain free. The FP income is a pretty fair amount of money per year that I don't really want to lose.

Here's a thought:
Since dkg will be eating everything else you provide, just not the grain (or milk) maybe the case will be that "you offered the food to dcg and she did not eat it" . All we can do as providers is offer the foods required by the fp, but not every child eats everything offered. This is perfectly fine by the fp as long as it is "offered" ...if you kwim . You could continue to claim dcg, since you are "offering" the required foods. The only time I see an issue is when the fp observes a meal and dcg is not offered a component of the meal. In this case perhaps you would put it on her plate and she may or may not eat it. Just a thought, I'm not in anyway suggesting being dishonest, just maybe you could find a loop hole

[craftymissbeth]

After reading everyone's replies, I am surprised that so many are willing to accept what their food program worker says as gospel. The food program is a USDA federally funded government program serviced by individual state agencies. The federal and/or state government can not usurp a parents right to raise their child the way they see fit. A parent, a citizen of the United States, has rights. They have the right to refuse to participate in the food program. I don't care what an individual food program worker tries to spew as truth. A parent does not have to participate. They must sign the consent to refuse the service and the provider must keep this form in their food program file. Your food program worker may not be aware of this form. What a provider and a parent work out after that is signed, is between the two of them, providing it does not involve neglect or harmful behavior.

Just because the government says we must eat a certain way, does not make it right. What happened to critical thinking skills and thinking outside the box and perhaps finding a better way? For example, our bodies do not need milk. We were not even able to tolerate cows milk for many years. But over the years, dairy farmers developed a mutation that allowed them to digest milk. Prior to that, we were all lactose intolerant. Those that can drink milk are actually mutated. Those that can not and are labeled lactose intolerant are actually "normal". We were never supposed to drink cows milk, but the American Dairy Association and the Federal government have been feeding the masses this lie for so long, that it has become "truth". Just food for thought.

I don't take my sponsors word as gospel but I was just sharing what mine said. In fact, I have shared many times on this forum that I was very against the food program because the majority of their regulations go against my personal beliefs..not to mention the fact that I'm very much of the opinion that government has very little business in my for-profit daycare business.

I do agree with everything you've said regarding diet.

[Evansmom]

I agree a parent should be able to feed their child how ever they choose and I respect her right to do that. That why I'm trying to figure something out that will work for both of us. She doesn't want to bring her own food except for goats milk. Dcg will eat everything else but the grain. So if we have Mac and cheese, she will get just the cheese, veggie and fruit. I'll contact my FP rep and see what she says.

My personal family is grain free, so I understand the reasons she is choosing to go grain free. The FP income is a pretty fair amount of money per year that I don't really want to lose.

That's why I agree that she can opt out but pay you the amount you're losing from the food program bc she's opting out. That way you get what you need (your income stays the same) and she gets what she wants (DCK gets fed the way she wants). I don't think it's unfair to arrange it this way. It seems the only way for both of you to get what you need. Otherwise DCM will have to understand that you have to abide by food program guidelines.

[TwinKristi]

Here's a thought:
Since dkg will be eating everything else you provide, just not the grain (or milk) maybe the case will be that "you offered the food to dcg and she did not eat it" . All we can do as providers is offer the foods required by the fp, but not every child eats everything offered. This is perfectly fine by the fp as long as it is "offered" ...if you kwim . You could continue to claim dcg, since you are "offering" the required foods. The only time I see an issue is when the fp observes a meal and dcg is not offered a component of the meal. In this case perhaps you would put it on her plate and she may or may not eat it. Just a thought, I'm not in anyway suggesting being dishonest, just maybe you could find a loop hole

This crossed my mind too. I offer the kids milk at every meal but rarely do they actually want it. One doesn't drink cow's milk so he says no and gets goats milk at home. Same with grains I'd guess. If you serve everyone else grains then that DCG says no thanks to the grains then you did your part. But if the FP rep doesn't like that then that could be an issue. Some kids refuse to eat the veggies or the fruits, I still purchased them and offered them so I can claim them.

[My3cents]

I just enrolled in the food program this week. While the food program lady was here I specifically asked her if I could charge more to families who want to opt out. She straight out said no and that this sponsor technically doesn't allow families to opt out. They may provide their own foods or eat what I provide, which has to be claimable. She said if I encounter a family who wants to opt out I'm to inform them that the food program is part of MY program and you either participate or find a provider that isn't on it.

I see that not all sponsors are the same, though.

Wow. Food Program is a Federally Funded program so I would think the rules would apply to everyone. I guess I would challenge this sponsor and ask to speak with her higher up person-

This is now putting the Food Program as your Boss- No way. I will charge my clients what I want to charge them. The Food program doesn't even ask what I charge my clients. If they don't want to be be a part of the food program I would think that is there choice, it is my choice if I decide to charge them more. I would probably ask that they bring their own meals and if they were not what I wanted for my program as in (junk) or caused issues. I would have to let the family go. I understand the Food Program wanting everyone to participate but ultimately that is up to the parents and what they want for their child. I wouldn't allow unhealthy foods during my daycare hours no matter if the parent brings it in or I serve it or am on the program or not. Treats are very rare here. I can serve two times a week a special snack like a cookie and I don't even do that. The kids get enough of that at home. When they are home I have no control over that. All I can do is serve good foods and hope that the child will grow good habits from being exposed to those foods they might not have had a chance to try, and I try to educate my clients too.

[melilley]

Here are a couple of websites that anyone can take a look at. The rules are supposed to be for everyone, but of course each sponsor can look at the rule and interpret it a different way.

http://www.fns.usda.gov/cacfp/child-and-adult-care-food-program

and

http://www.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/Monitoring_Homes.pdf

The second link is the monitoring handbook that the sponsors are supposed to use and go by.

[Cradle2crayons]

Yeah but I don't see this as a gluten free issue, most GF grain substitutes like breads, pasta, etc. are only to make life easier for people who have become accustomed to grains in their daily diet, but most FP grains are not GF. Paleo doesn't have grains AT ALL! None. I have several friends who are Paleo and their children are as well. I don't really get what you mean by the idea of her substituting grains or not. Substituting with what? She's substituting with proteins, fruits/veggies & nuts. Carbs are in many foods that aren't grains.

Yet again, you quote me and misconstrue. I was only going by what the op said "she is not substituting with anything"

Yes, I realize if I went completely grain free, I would substitute the good parts of grains with other components.

However, I quoted and commented to the information as it was given to me... Which was...

"Mom isn't substituting with anything else"

I simply can't ASSUME mom has a clue other than wanting to do the grain free like some people do without even reading the info about it.

I commented to what was posted, not what I assumed.

[TwinKristi]

Yet again, you quote me and misconstrue. I was only going by what the op said "she is not substituting with anything"

Yes, I realize if I went completely grain free, I would substitute the good parts of grains with other components.

However, I quoted and commented to the information as it was given to me... Which was...

"Mom isn't substituting with anything else"

I simply can't ASSUME mom has a clue other than wanting to do the grain free like some people do without even reading the info about it.

I commented to what was posted, not what I assumed.

I guess we're just not reading the same book here, let alone on the same page. Grains don't need a substitute. That's my point. Even if she said she was, she is simply by feeding the child anything but grains. And she isn't substituting now because the baby (which doesn't even need grains at all) is getting grains now.

It's just your comments seem a little negative and judemental to me. In this situation it would be pretty hard to bring "grain-free, dairy-free junk" ya know? Mom is trying to avoid junk and she gets the old :eyeroll:
It just doesn't make sense to me that a parent would breast feed for almost a year, even when working, get info on a grain-free diet and it's "assumed" she doesn't know what she's talking about and thinks whatever some group of moms said is truth, grains are necessary for everyone and especially children, and if she supplies her own food it will be junk food and if the child is unhealthy it can be a liability. Mom doesn't even want to provide food but wants an alternate diet.

The simple answer here is if you want something other than the meal served (and FP claimable) then there's a) a fee of $__ or b) you provide the foods but both require a meal plan for the child that is healthy and nutritionally sound.

[Cradle2crayons]

I guess we're just not reading the same book here, let alone on the same page. Grains don't need a substitute. That's my point. Even if she said she was, she is simply by feeding the child anything but grains. And she isn't substituting now because the baby (which doesn't even need grains at all) is getting grains now.

It's just your comments seem a little negative and judemental to me. In this situation it would be pretty hard to bring "grain-free, dairy-free junk" ya know? Mom is trying to avoid junk and she gets the old :eyeroll:
It just doesn't make sense to me that a parent would breast feed for almost a year, even when working, get info on a grain-free diet and it's "assumed" she doesn't know what she's talking about and thinks whatever some group of moms said is truth, grains are necessary for everyone and especially children, and if she supplies her own food it will be junk food and if the child is unhealthy it can be a liability. Mom doesn't even want to provide food but wants an alternate diet.

The simple answer here is if you want something other than the meal served (and FP claimable) then there's a) a fee of $__ or b) you provide the foods but both require a meal plan for the child that is healthy and nutritionally sound.

(B) was my entire point. Personally, I would just think if a mom wasn't going to feed grains, she would have realized oatmeal baby cereal is a grain:confused:

My point was you kept saying you could substitute with a and b to be sure you get all necessary requirements... But mom isn't going to substitute and when I question that you say no substitution is necessary?? :confused: of course I'm Ina. Completely different book on the wrong page apparently... But hey... It's okay... On to he next post.....