https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 09:42:51 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689538 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 16:17:52 +0000 Rocker2014 1689538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I worked for years in programs that adhere to these guidelines, and just want to reassure you that the provider can be very flexible while still following enough of the guidelines to be reimbursed. One program had a huge garden and made meals daily with the produce, as well as as a CSA share from a local farm! While suggested/preferred foods are a part of the regs, it is much more about what category of food is being offered than the exact meal. You may find more foods being offered at meals (which is another issue entirely) but if your provider is currently using lots of healthy, fresh foods, that shouldn't have to change to meet the guidelines for reimbursement. </p> <p>That being said...most programs who provide reimbursable meals don't do it very well. :meh: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689388 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:21:42 +0000 PurplePeony 1689388@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know our daycare (a center, not an in-home) participates in some sort of program but I'm not sure if it's the same one mentioned here. DD is still in the infant room and they don't feed them anything without the parent's okay, nor do they push solids. Babies just starting on solids eat food the parents bring from home. The babies who are 10-12 months can have some of the school lunch if the parents want them to, but it's not required or anything. Once they move up to the toddler room, they do get school food and while the menu isn't the pinnacle of perfection, overall I'm fine with it. They have an on-premises cook and everything is freshly prepared, and on the whole they do emphasize fruits and veggies over other foods. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689382 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:19:41 +0000 lizzywiz 1689382@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Corduroy: It sounds like your provider is interested in serving the best possible, even with the new guideline. Hopefully she will make it the best of both worlds- save money for her and still good for your LO.<br /> I love my provider for a million other reasons, but she thinks cream of whatever soup is a healthy addition to any meal. *sigh* </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689367 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:15:17 +0000 Corduroy 1689367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bushelandapeck: I'm not sure what our individual options are. The provider seems to think she can sign up kids individually since it's a subsidy per child. I'm not sure if that is correct. If I still have daycare make meals I'm sure it will be the same stuff everyone else is eating. If I send food it won't been as varied and nutritious as the current meals. I packed lunches at another daycare for a while - I did pretty well at making balanced nutritious lunches but not as good as her current food. </p> <p>@lizzywiz: Saltines are the 'enriched grain product' made from flour fortified with important vitamins! See, I did the reading. Ugh. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689352 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:08:59 +0000 Corduroy 1689352@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Pen: It didn't mention the food pyramid (or MyPlate) but yes, it's based on those guidelines. The daycare provider will need to fill out a form every day counting the servings of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, etc at every meal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689344 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:06:45 +0000 MamaG 1689344@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our former daycare participated in a program and I loathed it. It's part of why we aren't there anymore. When LO was just starting solids, they would offer three times a day and it was a ridiculous portion. So much food was wasted. The amount she was being offered at one meal was really enough for the day just starting out. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689340 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:04:59 +0000 lizzywiz 1689340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, my home daycare does it and I don't like it. It is clear as day that it is a result of lobbying because some of the subsidy preferred foods are just clearly unhealthy- what nutritional need are Saltines meeting, I ask?<br /> But, my provider goes with whatever I say, no questions, so I don't mind it too much. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689337 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:03:43 +0000 bushelandapeck 1689337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS is not in daycare but when we were looking at in home providers, almost all of them used the government program as it offered a stipend to help cover the costs. I wasn't thrilled with this and had planned to send food for DS and opt out of having him eat the provided lunch if I didn't like what it was. Is that an option for you? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689328 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 15:00:45 +0000 Mrs. Pen 1689328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think the government (in the US anyway) has a skewed perception of nutrition and I believe that it's a money gimmick, not that they have our best interests at heart. So that being said, I wholeheartedly do not agree with the food pyramid as a guideline - is that what the government subsidy program follows? I would be upset by that too. I don't think our daycare does that though? At least not that I'm aware. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-government-subsidy-nutrition-program-do-you-like-yours#post-1689318 Mon, 09 Jun 2014 14:56:57 +0000 Corduroy 1689318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO goes to an in-home day care. The woman that runs the daycare takes great pride in cooking healthy food for the kids. Some of the fruits and vegetables come from her own garden. She invested in a VitaMix to make really smooth fresh purees for the babies. Overall I am really happy with the nutritious food.</p> <p>Now the provider is enrolling in a food subsidy program with the county. In exchange for following the nutrition guidelines set by the country (pretty much USDA recommendations) she gets some money. I'm so bummed about this. I feel like she feeds the kids better than the USDA guidelines and we don't need government input. The recommendations are out of date anyway - like starting solids at 4 months with rice cereal. If we disagree with something apparently we'll get a phone call from the county and we can fight it with a doctor's note. Good times. </p> <p>I think these programs are common. Is anyone's LO in one? How do you feel about it? </p>