What’s for Lunch? Food Service at the UT Child Development Center's Campus Locations
Given all the demands facing parents of young children, it can be challenging to pack nutritious lunches and snacks to send to a child’s school each day. In many early childhood programs, this is precisely the challenge that parents face. Fortunately, UTCDC takes this burden off of parents by providing breakfast, lunch and snack daily.
We all know that proper nutrition promotes learning readiness and reinforces positive eating habits that can last a lifetime. UTCDC is committed to serving nutritious food in a positive, health-conscious environment. How do we do this?
A Commitment to Good Nutrition
The UTCDC follows the guidelines of the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), which include guidelines for food quality, food groups and food amounts. Some schools on the CACFP receive commodities — that is, donations of food products — from the USDA to serve to the children. We choose instead to receive reimbursements and to purchase our own food. This gives us more freedom in planning meals and more control over the quality and types of products we use when preparing and serving meals.
We are particularly proud of the fact that our kitchen staff prepares most of the meals we serve. Only a minority of meals include processed foods that come ready-made, such as chicken patties. The Center Directors work with the kitchen staff to plan meals, and they ensure that processed foods are used minimally. All processed foods used at UTCDC include a children’s nutrition label so that we know exactly what goes into each meal and so that we provide adequate amounts of protein to children every day.
Quality Foods
We serve fruits and vegetables daily. We serve fresh fruit on a regular basis, and when canned fruit is served, we purchase the type that is packed in its natural juice with no sugar added. Vegetables are fresh or frozen. Whenever possible, the bread we serve is whole wheat. Milk is served with lunch each day. We only purchase hormone-free milk.
Snack always consist of 2 food groups, drawn from fruits & vegetables, grains, protein and dairy. We also provide an additional late snack at 5:00 for those children who stay later in the day and may need a little something before going home. Late snack is available in the office for children in classrooms ages two and older. Late snack takes place in the classrooms for infants and toddlers.
Meeting Unique Needs
Some children have food allergies or special dietary needs related to medical conditions. UTCDC will provide food and milk substitutes when medically necessary. A doctor’s note stating the medical need must be provided.
Families who are vegetarian may bring a substitute protein item for meat dishes each day. Please note that some days our menu is already vegetarian, and a substitute will not be needed on those days. A monthly menu is shared on the first of each month so families can plan ahead and identify vegetarian days.
Our kitchen staff and teachers work hard to ensure each child receives the correct food. We are sometimes asked if families may send substitute items for foods their child does not prefer. Unfortunately, we are not able to allow menu substitutions or supplemental foods for picky eating or parent preferences.
Managing food from home can be challenging for staff, may introduce items that are unsafe for other children, and can create conflict when children see another child eating something different. Children often eat better in a group setting when they are served the same lunch and snack as their classmates.
Eating in a Healthy Way
UTCDC classrooms serve meals family style. This means that teachers sit and eat with the children, modeling manners and healthy eating habits. The children serve themselves, are encouraged to try new foods, and can easily see that others eat a wide variety of foods. Family style meals also open the door for conversation and make mealtime an enjoyable experience.
Non-Discriminatory Policy
UTCDC does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: Director, Civil Right Division, MC W-206, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, TX 78714-9030 or USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice and TDD).