Food Program Pros and Cons?

[Alwaysgreener]

I am on tier 1, I think if we get bumped down to 2 I will quit- I absolutely hate entering all the info on the computer. It is only 10min of work but I hate it

I despise the minute menu program. I also consider quiting if loose tier one status.

[lovemydaycare0912]

Oh okay thanks. I got scared for a second . It is so beneficial when you get to do both.

[wonderfullisa]

Yeah, when you are Tier 1, it can be a nice amount. You have to do a little bit of work for it, but I can click some buttons at the end of my day for 5-10 minutes to get $700+ most months.
I don't agree with all of the nutritional requirements, but I deal with it.

[CityGarden]

I probably won't be much help; I'm on Tier 1 so to me it's really worth it. Plus I love my sponsor that comes! She's amazing.
Pros
the reimbursement
food ideas
support

Cons
and yet another training you have to attend
quarterly visits
paper work

I would imagine you could just do snacks, if that's what you sign up for but you might find out it's not worth it. You may have to call your food program to check into it.

Pros: $ for something I would be doing anyway.

Cons: A little extra paperwork, though not much.

Pros you get a check and kids eat healthy.

I'm also on tier 1 with an amazing food rep lady.

Cons none.

I don't mind the minimal paperwork because I do it at point of service or at night. My visits last 10 mins.

Yeah, when you are Tier 1, it can be a nice amount. You have to do a little bit of work for it, but I can click some buttons at the end of my day for 5-10 minutes to get $700+ most months.
I don't agree with all of the nutritional requirements, but I deal with it.

Thanks so much for sharing!!! These are really compelling reasons to at least give it a try. ::

I really hope I will qualify for Tier 1!!

[daycare]

Thanks so much for sharing!!! These are really compelling reasons to at least give it a try. ::

I really hope I will qualify for Tier 1!!

If you want to see if you qualify for tier 1. Look to see what tier your home elementary and jr high school are at. You can do that through a Google search. If your schools are at tier 1 meaning at least 50% of the children are on free or reduced lunch you qualify for tier 1.

You can also ask your parents to fill out financial documents provided by the food program to see if they are income qualified for tier 1.

I sadly don't qualify for tier 1 and either do my parents so the amount of paperwork sometimes ****s I hate the new kids are program.

[CityGarden]

When I started on the FP, I was Tier 2 and found it wasn't worth my time. Just as I was about to terminate it, they switched my area to Tier 1.
Tier 1 is worth it. Tier 2 is a joke.
For the amount of work they require, everyone should be Tier 1.
I mean, it's nice to have an extra log of who was here and when. But my sign in sheets should be enough if I'm ever questioned on ratios or need help figuring out tax info.

I have a MAC, so need Crossover in order to run Minute Menu. So, essentially two programs to run one- and it's sloooow.

My rep is nice, but isn't much help with any questions I've had. She's also visited and written down wrong info on what I served. So, I need to double check what she writes otherwise my claim will be denied and if that happens twice, termination or suspension is on the horizon.

I can't stand how precise the infant requirements are too. But, I rarely enroll infants.

But... hey, any extra income helps too!

I would not have thought the infant requirements would be precise especially given that all infants need is mommy milk

One reason I was considering it is the "free" Minute Menu but I too have a Mac so that sounds less appealing.

[Play Care]

I am on Tier 1 and have NO idea how or why. None of the usual reasons for Tier 1 apply. I don't qualify based on income, my dck's probably wouldn't qualify, our school district doesn't have the number of reduced/free meals for us to automatically qualify, etc. They said it had something to do with the census for my road - but I live in a development with doctors, lawyers, etc.
A provider across town, who lives in what I would consider to be a "poorer" area doesn't qualify for Tier 1.

Just pointing that out as it's not as cut and dried and it seems.

[LysesKids]

I would not have thought the infant requirements would be precise especially given that all infants need is mommy milk

One reason I was considering it is the "free" Minute Menu but I too have a Mac so that sounds less appealing.

See I do nothing but infants & what the FP considers very young toddlers... my kids eat & sleep on demand & no offense to my great FP lady here, but I quit because there were more days I had to flip a meal or nap & she would show up expecting to see the littles w/food & bottles... not waking a sleeping kid and NONE of my parents believe in CEREAL at all (all BF until at least a year)... we start with veg

not worth the hassle even on tier one for me - I only have 2 kids out of the 4 that it makes any sense to even try right now & the one is gone half the time traveling

BTW, the only reason I qualify for tier one is the school area... my parents incomes are too much otherwise

[Gemma]

It is only 10min of work but I hate it

you sound like me!::

[daycare]

you sound like me!::

I agree....

I hate kidkare. more than half of the time it does not work and my FP agency is not supportive at all. I have to call on my own which sometimes can take a few days to resolve.

worst part is that my FP does this lock out in the KK program. so if I can't input my meal that day, I cant do it the next, therefore losing a full day of pay. Two months ago I was locked out of KK and no one could figure out how to get me back in for about 3 weeks, so I only got to claim one week. I was super mad.

It's a true love hate with me and the FP

[Controlled Chaos]

I agree....

I hate kidkare. more than half of the time it does not work and my FP agency is not supportive at all. I have to call on my own which sometimes can take a few days to resolve.

worst part is that my FP does this lock out in the KK program. so if I can't input my meal that day, I cant do it the next, therefore losing a full day of pay. Two months ago I was locked out of KK and no one could figure out how to get me back in for about 3 weeks, so I only got to claim one week. I was super mad.

It's a true love hate with me and the FP

That's awful. I would be pissed! Ok - I am going to go log my meals for the day...here I go...ughhhhhhh

ok really :: Now I understand how the toddlers feel about picking up their toys

[CityGarden]

See I do nothing but infants & what the FP considers very young toddlers... my kids eat & sleep on demand & no offense to my great FP lady here, but I quit because there were more days I had to flip a meal or nap & she would show up expecting to see the littles w/food & bottles... not waking a sleeping kid and NONE of my parents believe in CEREAL at all (all BF until at least a year)... we start with veg

not worth the hassle even on tier one for me - I only have 2 kids out of the 4 that it makes any sense to even try right now & the one is gone half the time traveling

BTW, the only reason I qualify for tier one is the school area... my parents incomes are too much otherwise

Wow! I am debating an infant / toddler program only or a 2-5 year old program and IF I decide to go with the littles I would allow them to sleep and eat on demand and I would not wake a sleeping baby to feed them.

Sigh.

[Controlled Chaos]

I timed myself - it took 5min and I will get $750ish, its totally worth it. I am such a whiner

[CityGarden]

If you want to see if you qualify for tier 1. Look to see what tier your home elementary and jr high school are at. You can do that through a Google search. If your schools are at tier 1 meaning at least 50% of the children are on free or reduced lunch you qualify for tier 1.

You can also ask your parents to fill out financial documents provided by the food program to see if they are income qualified for tier 1.

I sadly don't qualify for tier 1 and either do my parents so the amount of paperwork sometimes ****s I hate the new kids are program.

It's not looking so good. The local elementary school which is on my same street has 14% reduced lunch and the middle school has 17%............ I suppose I can apply and see.

[Alwaysgreener]

My school district does not qualify me. So I had to submit my income and got turned down. Last year, I made 2x the amount I am making this year to date per week. I had to submit my last year tax forms and DH this year check stubs. My AGI for last year is less than the requirements. We are on WIC but not qualified for Tier one.
Does anyone know if I can appeal? or ask for more details?