The CEC is a participant in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) program.  The CACFP provides cash reimbursement to child care centers for nutritious meals and helps children develop healthy eating habits.  The CACFP is administered by the Michigan Department of Education.

The food at the CEC is planned to serve several purposes:

            To provide well-balanced foods appropriate to young children.   

            To help children learn about and enjoy foods that are good for them. 

After involvement with Nutrition And Physical activity Self Assessment for Child Care* (NAP SACC) program in 2011.  The CEC adopted the following policies in order to provide the best possible nutrition and to promote the health of the children in our program. 

Nutrition    

o  sweets or salty foods will be limited to once or twice a week.

o   1% milk will be served to children age 2 or older.
o   seconds will be served at Breakfast and Lunch when the children have
    eaten all that is on their plates (full serving for their age).
  
Foods served outside of regular snacks and meals
o   Foods that come from home for sharing among the children must be
    either whole fruits or commercially prepared packaged foods in factory
    sealed containers.
o   We ask that families consider bringing in healthy snacks for celebrations:
  • favorite fruits
  • lower fat baked goods
  • favorite dishes that aren’t necessarily desserts
  • foods with special family or cultural significance
  • healthy food in fun shapes
  • bring in non-food treats (stickers, music, games, story, etc.)

Meal Times (times are approximate) 

                       Breakfast  begins at 8:25am and ends at 9:00am

                       Morning Snack begins at 10:15am and ends at 10:45am

                       Lunch begins at 12pm and ends at 12:45pm

                       Afternoon Snack begins at 3:00pm and ends at 3:30pm

 

In accordance with Michigan Food Program Requirements meals are composed of the following components:

 Breakfast: all of the following

  • Milk
  • Fruit or Vegetable or Juice
  • Grain/Bread

 Lunch: all of the following 

  • Milk
  • 2 Fruits/Vegetables
  • Grain/Bread
  • Meat or Meat Alternate  

Snacks: serve 2 from the 4 good groups below

  • Milk
  • Fruit or Vegetable or Juice
  • Grain/Bread
  • Meat or Meat Alternate

 click here to take a peek at a sample menu

The CEC takes food preferences, intolerances, or allergies very seriously.  If a family or child has food concerns or needs the CEC will do its best to accomodate those needs.  At enrollment these issues are disscussed.

*The goal of NAP SACC is to assist child care facilities in improving their nutrition and physical activity environments, for the prevention of obesity in preschool age children. This program is sponsored by the Ottawa County Health Department.

Page last modified February 23, 2012