Nutrition

Food is important to children – and it is important for children’s health and development that they eat nutritious foods in accordance with USDA Guidelines. Breakfast, Lunch and Snack are provided free of charge to every child enrolled in our program.


Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack Programs:

• Provide at least two-third’s of a child’s daily nutritional needs and meet the requirements of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program.
• Serve breakfast to children that are nutritious, offering a variety of food according to their cultural preferences.
• Increase a child’s experience with food by introducing a variety of new foods.
• Mealtimes are a time for learning and socializing in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Develop sound eating habits and help children learn about good nutrition.
• Snacks are provided daily.

To achieve these goals:

• The eating habits of families are surveyed to develop their nutritional needs.
• The Food Service Staff surveys eating habits of Head Start families.
• Children are encouraged to taste all foods, but not forced to eat.
• Meals are served family style.
• Children learn self help skills by setting tables, serving themselves, pouring milk, and cleaning their eating spaces, and by scraping and putting away their dishes.
• Children learn about food and nutrition through cooking projects and nutrition lesson and activities.
• Parents who volunteer in the classroom are invited to share in family style meals with the children.
• Menus are posted in the classroom and sent home each month (in English and Spanish).  Arrangements are made if a child is allergic to a certain food or has other special needs or preferences.
• Children with allergies or food preferences are given foods that meet their needs.

Nutrition Manager : Rita Neloms