Providing Some But Not All Food

[Kabob]

It's the weekend so I won't get an answer from my food program rep...but I kinda need to get a general idea as to how this situation would work with a potential family...

I have a potential dcg that is allergic to soy and dairy. Dcm offered to provide some food based on what I'm serving that day. So, if I'm serving sandwiches, she'd provide the bread and milk.

How would that work with the food program? Should I just have them provide the entire meal or should I just provide all the food and have them send milk?

There's soy and even dairy in a lot of things it seems so I'm looking to keep this simple for my sanity and grocery bill...

[Thriftylady]

Honestly to be on the safe side, I would have her provide it all. I say that because I have a dairy allergy, mine is not severe enough to be life threatening, just more an annoyance. But I did have to go dairy free for awhile, and you would be amazed what you find it in. I think it would be far easier to just have mom provide it all that way it keeps you from an honest mistake.

[melilley]

I have a dcb who is gluten and dairy free. In order for me to get reimbursed, I have to substitute any component that I serve that has gluten or dairy in it with something that doesn't. You have to substitute the milk for something credible through the fp. My fp allows me to substitute almond milk for cows but I've seen on this forum that some fp's don't allow that. This family doesn't want her son to drink soy milk because of the hormones and wanted me to use almond milk.

Honestly it isn't that hard to find things without dairy. I know that many of our grocery stores have sections that are gluten free and many of those products are also dairy free. Also, if a recipe calls for milk, I either substitute his meal with something else or if possible, cook a portion with almond milk.

But if you don't want to go through reading labels, I would just have the family bring the food.

[craftymissbeth]

I have a dcb who is gluten and dairy free. In order for me to get reimbursed, I have to substitute any component that I serve that has gluten or dairy in it with something that doesn't. You have to substitute the milk for something credible through the fp. My fp allows me to substitute almond milk for cows but I've seen on this forum that some fp's don't allow that. This family doesn't want her son to drink soy milk because of the hormones and wanted me to use almond milk.

Honestly it isn't that hard to find things without dairy. I know that many of our grocery stores have sections that are gluten free and many of those products are also dairy free. Also, if a recipe calls for milk, I either substitute his meal with something else or if possible, cook a portion with almond milk.

But if you don't want to go through reading labels, I would just have the family bring the food.

This is what I'd have to do with my food program sponsor too. I can't claim a meal if I'm not the one who provided every component. She actually said I can't have anything except formula provided by a parent *ever*, but that might just be their policy... she said if a parent wanted to opt out of the FP and wanted to bring their own food I'd have two options. Either not have them as a client or get off the food program. Hopefully your sponsors policy is different so you can work it out in your favor.

[Kabob]

Yeah there is soy and dairy in a lot of things...even bread. I thought parents were allowed to opt out of the food program and could provide their own food.

I just know if the food program isn't covering any of these special foods, my grocery bill is gonna go way up for one child. So it's looking like I either provide all the food or they do I think...

[Leigh]

I have a dairy-free and soy-free kid here, too. His doctor had to fill out a form for the food program showing every necessary substitution. For example: Instead of 1% milk, serve rice milk. Instead of butter, serve Smart Balance. Use only dairy free bread. Etc. It really freaked me out at the interview because I worried that I'd screw it up, but his Mom has been extremely helpful with teaching me about what he can and can't have, and it hasn't been difficult, and really hasn't been much more money. He just has his own rice milk in the fridge, the other kids can eat the dairy free bread, as well. If, for example, I were to serve lasagna before he came here, I changed it to a skillet lasagna, and add the cheese last-taking out DCB's serving before adding it. It really hasn't been expensive or too much hassle here.

My food program sponsor also would not allow a parent to provide food.