USDA Food Program

[daycare]

I see vending machines that serve candy or almonds it's up to you to choice which one you want.....

Daycares/centers are just the same...there are ones that serve the candy and ones that serve the almonds.

sounds like your looking for almonds, just not finding it.

If that is not the type of programs offered in your area, maybe you can just stick with a nanny or put an ad out stating that you are looking for an organic/healthy menu provider. ask to see the menu.

I don't agree with a lot of the junk that the FP approves, but I am still on it and would not have it any other way.

[TwinKristi]

Bingo!! You CAN pay more to have what you want! It's called a nanny!! They serve only what you provide!

Like another poster said, those who struggle to afford the tuition alone are more than happy to accept our meals, even if it's unhealthy to "some" people. I serve organic fruits & veggies, local dairy products, whole grains and home made foods along with some not as healthy options. Today the kids had chicken nuggets (because it's Friday and we have FUN on Friday!) but they were baked not fried, "all natural" and no hormones or whatever. Served with fresh grapes and strawberries and some wheat crackers. I always try and serve a balanced meal to my daycare kids but I do have to be mindful of food costs. I get between $500-750 for meals but that doesn't go very far when we're talking about 10 meals and 5 snacks a week times 5-8 kids... So some people serve 80 meals a week and 40+ snacks a week. Broken down its pennies on the dollar for what we often spend PLUS we don't get paid until after so we're fronting the food costs.

[Unregistered]

I didn't realize you couldn't charge parents for food if you were on the program. That's odd.

The menus the local centers have are very different than what you all say you provide. I have zero issues with grilled chicken, broccoli, and brown rice. And hormone free chicken? Sign me up! Sadly, the menus we saw at the centers we toured tended toward pizza, chicken nuggets, graham crackers, juice, and chips. Definitely not organic and we have big concerns with the antibiotics and hormones used in meat. I know we can't protect forever, but we can now.

We are in a small town in the south. I guess that has a lot to do with it. Maybe we're looking for something that just doesn't exist here. But if we're looking for it, surely other parents are...or maybe not.

[itlw8]

There is a solution keep the nanny and put in a morning preschool 3 days a week. Then meals are at home and your child is there for the important part of the day.

[Thriftylady]

I agree with preschool, or looking at home providers instead of centers.

[Little Buttons]

I understand your concerns regarding the food programs standards and what they consider healthy. While I do think it is possible to follow the food program and serve a healthy menu, unfortunately I have seen many who serve crap. In fairness though, I have seen providers serve crap and not participate in the food program and of course there are numerous parents who would also just pack crap. The idea of children being envious over another's lunch option is valid, however, an addition issue I see with patents all packing their kids food is the times they forget and the hassle to the provider of having to set up numerous meals. That being said I know providers who still have their parents pack their kids meals for the day.

Because I am a firm believer in healthy, organic food I have decided to make my menu around those guidelines and simply charge a higher rate.I find the food program to be a huge hassle for me, I disagree with many of their standards and I have chosen to simply deduct my food costs instead. Many of the moms in my area are like you and truly do not approve of the food program guidelines and want to pay more for healthy food.

There are providers out there who do not participate, as well as ones who allow food from home. If I were you I would look into home providers that offer what you desire or stick with a nanny.

[Thriftylady]

Ok I have to speak on this again. I am restarting my daycare and am not on the food program right now. I am deciding if I should get on it or not. If I had parents like you as my first parents, who were willing to pay more for me to exceed the requirements of the food program, I would not get on it. I would simply say if you want to pay for the foods you wish be served, I would skip the food program.

[AmyKidsCo]

In WI licensed programs have to follow the same guidelines for meals as the food program: grain, fruit or veg & milk for breakfast, same thing plus protein and a 2nd fruit or veg for lunch, and 2 different components for snack.

For me, since I have to follow the guidelines anyway, it makes sense to join the food program and receive money for something I'd have to do anyway.

It's also a marketing point for parents - they know their children won't be eating nothing but Mac & Cheese every day, or Kool aid instead of milk, etc.

[Thriftylady]

I didn't realize you couldn't charge parents for food if you were on the program. That's odd.

Not odd, keeps people honest. Otherwise what keeps me from taking money for the government that is supposed to help me feed your child and money from you for the same thing? That would be theft of government funds and although I would love to say "nobody would ever do that" we all know differently.

[SSWonders]

I didn't realize you couldn't charge parents for food if you were on the program. That's odd.

In Massachusetts our licensing regulations say that we can not charge parents for food, period, and we have to offer a certain amount of meals/snacks to children according to how many hours they are in care. That's even if you do not participate in a food program.

[Play Care]

In WI licensed programs have to follow the same guidelines for meals as the food program: grain, fruit or veg & milk for breakfast, same thing plus protein and a 2nd fruit or veg for lunch, and 2 different components for snack.

For me, since I have to follow the guidelines anyway, it makes sense to join the food program and receive money for something I'd have to do anyway.

It's also a marketing point for parents - they know their children won't be eating nothing but Mac & Cheese every day, or Kool aid instead of milk, etc.

Same here!

[Unregistered]

In Massachusetts our licensing regulations say that we can not charge parents for food, period, and we have to offer a certain amount of meals/snacks to children according to how many hours they are in care. That's even if you do not participate in a food program.

That's awful. You'd be paying for their food if they weren't in daycare so what's the difference?

[spinnymarie]

Just want to chime in to agree with others that the food program is not what's to blame here, it's the way that those specific centers have chosen to implement it.
As seen in this post, there are plenty of day cares participating in the food program and not serving juice twice/day, among other things. It appears that you just haven't found the right one yet.
I also want to mention that most of the people posting about their awesome menus are home day care providers, which it appears the OP has not yet looked in to, if I'm reading correctly.

[daycarediva]

regardless of the food program, you need to find out from the provider what kind of food they serve.

I am on the food program, but I do not serve a ton of stuff that they approve like.
To name a few:
anything fried, cookies, juice, pretzels, sugar cereals and etc.

Just because they are there and approved, does not mean we have to serve them.


I love the food program, it helps me to afford better quality food for the children.

I agree with BC, if I allowed children to bring their own meals, meal time would be one hot mess.

What one persons definition of healthy is, someone else is completely different.

Ihave asked families to bring healthy snacks for a party before and end up with popcorn and chips or jello. I don't agree that any of these are healthy choices.

I totally agree. I am almost 100% organic, homemade, whole grain, everything fresh, minimally processed, juice is a RARE treat and is 100% fruit and organic, etc.

I don't get reimbursed much (about $200/m for 6 kids) and that doesn't cover a week's worth of food. I would have to raise rates significantly to cover it, and most of my parents simply don't value nutrition enough/can't afford it.

Thanks for the link, but I'm not sure what you're trying to show. That's not much money. I'd gladly pay more for my child to be served better food.

you're the minority in that camp. Most parents are unable/unwilling to make that sacrifice.

Why not just charge parents more for better food? Sorry if I'm harping on the poor food but the menus I saw were terrible. Pancakes for breakfast, chicken nuggets and 1% milk for lunch, and tortilla chips and juice for a snack. No breastmilk allowed past 12 months, contrary to AAP and WHO recommendations. Infants get rice cereal, formula, and non-organic baby food. My baby doesn't eat any of that and I'd planned on nursing him in my car at dropoff so I don't want him served breakfast. Why can't I pay the money the provider would be losing on his food?

I serve homemade whole wheat pancakes, with fresh organic fruit spread instead of syrup. The provider down the road serves frozen processed ones. We are reimbursed the same. Frustrating, but food is one of the reasons I am full with a waiting list.

The usda made these minimum standards because sadly, most parents don't know/ask/care WHAT the kid is being fed. Kudos to you for being proactive. Look into local home daycares/group daycares or small centers. Find someone that allows you to pack or one who has a menu you can live with. Best of luck to you!