Just like a lot of providers I participate on a government funded food program.(Child and Adult Care Food Program)
There are usually several programs a provider can choose from and even though we all get paid the same (some are on Tier one, some on Tier two), all programs are different. If you don't belong on one, talk to providers who do and see what they think. I geographically qualify for Tier one rates, but personally, if my rates were ever dropped to Tier two, I would quit the food program. That's only my opinion. Other providers on Tier two keep on it because some money is better than none. Personally I could do without all the paperwork, menus, visits, etc. I feed my daycare children nutritiously and would continue to do so even if the funding was dropped. That's just me!!
With a tight budget for everyone these days, I thought I'd post some of my menus and tips to saving money. Ususally at the end of the year I end up making a profit on the food program, so I must be doing something right! Keep in mind though, that since I'm on the food program, I am required to serve foods that "qualify" and the correct serving portions also.
My husband works at a corporation that distributes food products to various stores and resturants, so I do get a lot of my savings from him. He gets to purchase damaged packages, out-dated product at a very reduced price which is wonderful for me. We buy all our cheese in bulk from his work, we have pizzas (wonderful ones) coming out of our ears, and sometimes he even gets special stuff like canned fruits, mushrooms, pies, pastries, etc.
So, following are some of my meals I serve. I don't call myself a picky eater (anymore), but I do like certain foods and so do the kids in my care. I, personally don't try a lot of new things, so I usually don't cook them new things either. It may get boring, but I do know they'll eat!!
Lunch
Milk
Chicken Nuggets
Pear Slices
Canned corn or on the cob
Bread slice
Chocolate Milk
Hot dog
Tidbit Pineapple
Baked Beans
Mac and Cheese
(My kids don't eat the bun anyway, so I don't even serve one. The store-bought Mac and cheese should count for a bread; check for enriched noodles, but doesn't count as a meat, so I serve the hot dog for the meat)
Milk
Cheesy Noodles (recipe is on my recipe pages)
Green Beans
Mandarin oranges and apples
(Some fruits like Mandarin oranges, strawberries, and blueberries are pretty expensive to buy for a large group of children, so to make a whole serving of fruit per child, I add apple slices with it. They still get the treat of both fruits and I don't spend as much. )
Milk
Fish Sticks
Green Beans
Applesauce
Buttered bread slice
(I always buy my canned fruits and veggies in the #10 large cans that you find at Sams club or in the quantity cooking section of the grocery store. I serve 13 children though, so if you have a group of under 8 you might not want to. I do believe, however, that it's possible to freeze most things, so it might be worth the savings. I open two cans of fruit per week and two cans of vegetables. The fruit goes faster since we use it at breakfast too. That lasts us all week. I know what you're thinking.....the same fruits and veggies all week??? Well, It really doesn't work out that way. We may have pineapple for lunch on Monday and then again for breakfast on Wed. and then for lunch on Friday. And then on the other days, it's another canned fruit or an apple or banana, so no one ever really complains - except for the can of beets I bought once. Won't ever do that again!!!!)
Milk
Crock pot Chicken Soup(recipe on recipe pages)
Banana
Carrot sticks
Toast
Milk
HM Pizza
(sausage, canad. bacon, and pep. slices)
Mozz. Cheese
Peas
Canned Peaches
Frozen Enriched ready to heat crust
(this is a fun day!! My husband has brought home little individual crusts and also large size ones. The kids spread Prego spaghetti sauce on with a spoon, add their own meats and cheese. Bake and eat! They eat much better when they've helped make it!)
Milk
State Fair Corn Dog
Peas & Carrots
Sliced apples and strawberries
Buttered bread half
Milk
Turkey and Ham cold meat slices
Cheese slice
Carrot and celery sticks with veggie dip
Cantelope and watermelon chunks
Bread for sandwich (half sandwich per child actually equals a whole slice of bread)
Milk
Diced turkey heated in Cream of Mushroom or Chicken Soup with 3/4 can of milk
Pears
Green beans
Bisquick Biscuit (turkey/soup gravy is served over the biscuit if they want, but mine choose on the side and eat it with a spoon)
Milk
Peanut Butter Sandwich
French Fries
Green and red grapes and sliced apples
Bread for the sandwich
As you can see, my menus are not something I slave over each week. In fact, I buy my groceries on weekends and when it comes time to prepare lunch, I look in the freezer, fridge or cupboard to see what looks good today! I don't post menus and no parent has ever asked. "I'm not that organized" is what I'd have to reply. We get fed good, but I just don't know what it will be until I cook it.
One more opinion of mine and then I'll quit!!!......
I think that in some cases the portion requirements are a little skimpy, but I usually stick by them. I will tell you I don't have any leftovers. If I have 10 kids eating and we're getting 4 fish sticks a piece, then that's all I make. Same with the fruits and veggies. They get a large scoop of whatever I'm serving (more than required) and that's it. The kids ask for more occasionally and if there is more the first ones with clean plates get more. If there's no more, they live with it. I don't starve them - they get a good sized meal and then that's it. I believe over-eating is a big, big problem in the US and it's learned from early on. I know a provider who has mentioned she cooks enormous breakfasts (5 pancakes each, sausage links, etc etc) For one, it's not required and two, it is totally unnecessary!! No 3 year old NEEDS to eat that much. AND she serves a morning snack too!!!! I don't serve a morning snack - not because it's not paid for, but because it's totally unnecessary. My kids and daycare kids all eat between 7 and 7:30 am and then lunch at 11:45 am. And not one complains about it because their bodies are used to it!
Well, enough of my opinions for now. I will be adding more menu ideas and snacks too. Visit again soon!
