Parent Requesting Vegan Meals

[LittleScholars]

To me it does not matter how nice they are you are stating (1) you are not willing to make vegan meals and (2) you also will not allow dcm to provide meals. I think dcm is being reasonable by not asking you to provide vegan meals and offering to provide them herself but since you don't want to allow that then it is best to just decline her the spot.

FWIW I live in Southern California where everyone is so picky with their diet and their child's diet that I love kids bringing in their own lunches. I'm not on the food program but I can tell you none of my clients give their children cow milk it's almond/ soy / coconut / cashew.... if I can't even get a single milk could you imagine me trying to provide all meals. ::

I only have two milk drinkers, but excluding milk did require a doctor's note. I'm really fine with that level of modification. I personally don't eat much meat and I don't drink cow's milk, so my meals sort of reflect that. For me, having kids bring meals would be a nightmare. I'd have three really healthy eaters and the rest would eat crackers. I love that kids are given the opportunity to try new foods here. According to the parents, many kids try and eat things here they never would at home. I really like that aspect of the program and don't see home lunches working well. Also, I find parents expect a discount when bringing lunches. Do you find the same?

[LittleScholars]

I am supportive of vegans but just saw this online.... and it made me laugh.

Haha!! I'm also supportive of vegans, but I love this.

[HappyEverAfter]

I do not allow outside foods of any kind for children one year and older. I tell parents it causes jealousy issues with the other kids and also point out that I have one child with several severe allergies that he’s had to be hospitalized for before so I need to be in total control of what foods are around the kids. I also wouldn’t offer to make vegan meals for this one child. It would sound to me as if this child would be better off finding a program that offers either vegan meals or a bring your own meal option.

[Blackcat31]

No offense to any parent that chooses to eat an alternate diet.... I just don't care to accommodate that.

I have enough daily duties that I serve ONE meal with LOTS of components and 2 snacks and that's it.

If someone wants a different type of meal other than what I serve, I am not the right fit for them.

If a child has severe allergies (food related) and they are something I can accommodate I certainly will but that's the extend to my "alternate meal" options

[Unregistered]

If you don't wish to accommodate the needs of a potential customer, can't you just tell them upfront asap? Seems like you want to meet them on the back burner as potential which is not fair to them

[LittleScholars]

If you don't wish to accommodate the needs of a potential customer, can't you just tell them upfront asap? Seems like you want to meet them on the back burner as potential which is not fair to them

Untrue. My question was how I should respond to this parent. I'm not sure what indicates I want to meet them on the back burner.

[LittleScholars]

No offense to any parent that chooses to eat an alternate diet.... I just don't care to accommodate that.

I have enough daily duties that I serve ONE meal with LOTS of components and 2 snacks and that's it.

If someone wants a different type of meal other than what I serve, I am not the right fit for them.

If a child has severe allergies (food related) and they are something I can accommodate I certainly will but that's the extend to my "alternate meal" options

I think this is where I am now. I really want to make it work with this family, but meal prep is such an enormous task that I really can't do much accommodating.