Food Rates Decreased for Homes

[laundrymom]

What a way to make us feel all warm and fuzzy.
Take away money we use to insure the children eat nutritious foods while tightening regulations on what we can serve.

[Blackcat31]

What a way to make us feel all warm and fuzzy.
Take away money we use to insure the children eat nutritious foods while tightening regulations on what we can serve.

?? Did the reimbursement rates go down this year instead of up?

[SignMeUp]

http://tomcopelandblog.com/2016-2017-food-program-reimbursement-rates-announced

[Leigh]

?? Did the reimbursement rates go down this year instead of up?

They did. Groceries may have decreased 1%, but that hardly makes up for the HUGE increases that we have seen in the last several years. This is more than sad-I find it insulting.

[Blackcat31]

http://tomcopelandblog.com/2016-2017...ates-announced

The article says the overall cost of food has gone down...I wonder where they get their information? I can't say I know a single person across the country whose foods costs have decreased. :confused:

[laundrymom]

They did. Groceries may have decreased 1%, but that hardly makes up for the HUGE increases that we have seen in the last several years. This is more than sad-I find it insulting.

Homes were the only ones decreased. Everyone else increased.

[Blackcat31]

Homes were the only ones decreased. Everyone else increased.

Just another step in running in-home family childcare providers out of business

[Blackcat31]

Program requirements and provider qualifications have increased tenfold yet our income and reimbursement rates continue to decline.

And they wonder why there's a problem with childcare in America

[Cat Herder]

Program requirements and provider qualifications have increased tenfold yet our income and reimbursement rates continue to decline.

And they wonder why there's a problem with childcare in America

Don't forget our lower ratios and higher space requirements.... happyface

[Scout]

Is this also the amount for the standard food deduction or just for food program?

[Leigh]

The article says the overall cost of food has gone down...I wonder where they get their information? I can't say I know a single person across the country whose foods costs have decreased. :confused:

All I know is that MY groceries have increased by about 25% in the last 10 years or so. I also know that reimbursements never reflected that. When I buy groceries, I think about how a minimum wage parent must work for an entire hour to buy a pound of hamburger ($5.99 at my grocery store) or nearly an hour for a gallon of milk for their kids ($4.79). How steaks for dinner are out of reach for so many families (Sirloin has went from $1.99 a pound to $9.99+ a pound here). 3 years ago, I could buy roasts on sale for $1.69 a pound (my store had a different roast on sale every week). They're on sale now for $3.99-$4.29 per pound occasionally. Regular price on a round roast is $7.99 a pound. Last winter, blueberries (my son's favorite fruit) were SIXTEEN dollars a pound! 8 months of the year, strawberries for my daycare kids are $5-$7 a pound. I spend $25 for fruit for BREAKFAST some days.

I know that the FP is meant to be supplemental. I know that not everyone insists on fresh fruits for their kids, I know that I COULD save money by buying cheaper foods-that's all on me. But reimbursing 20 freaking cents for snack? That's utterly ridiculous. What could I possibly serve for 20 cents? or 40 cents for that matter, assuming that the FP could cover half of my costs (which it never has)?

[Play Care]

Homes were the only ones decreased. Everyone else increased.

This makes me livid.
And who are we supposed to contact to let them know how much they ****?

[laundrymom]

This makes me livid.
And who are we supposed to contact to let them know how much they ****?

According to the food program response on their FB page, our politicians.

[Josiegirl]

Wow Leigh, I'm appalled at the prices in your area!
I know Tom Copeland recommends all providers be on the FP but I'm wondering if it's worth your time, aggravation and extra cost? If you went off, then you wouldn't have to adhere to their guidelines.
Blueberries-16 bucks #????!!!! That's downright crazy.

I'm bothered by the principle of the thing but it is only 4 cents a day per child.

[LysesKids]

Wow Leigh, I'm appalled at the prices in your area!
I know Tom Copeland recommends all providers be on the FP but I'm wondering if it's worth your time, aggravation and extra cost? If you went off, then you wouldn't have to adhere to their guidelines.
Blueberries-16 bucks #????!!!! That's downright crazy.

I'm bothered by the principle of the thing but it is only 4 cents a day per child.

The food program really has no clue about the costs if you aren't mainland... if they did they would adjust it (same issue for people getting SNAP, gov't doesn't take into consideration costs to technically "import" food); my brother lived in Alaska for 6 months & the $$ drove him nuts when it came to getting groceries & basics. Even in the far out areas of UT & WY, they have extra transport costs to get fresh foods