As part of our educational goals we have set a high priority on the importance of eating nutritional foods and developing appropriate eating habits for young children. We will not serve anything that lacks nutritional value, including lunch items that were brought from home. If a child’s lunch includes something that is deemed “non-nutritional” it will be removed from their lunch and sent home. If this happens more than once we will set up a time to discuss nutrition and expectations.

For more information follow this link for nutritional health http://www.choosemyplate.gov/  and ask for specifications.

ALL families enrolled in the EHS/Toddler Partnership must sign up for the Federal Food Program.

For all other classrooms we serve morning and afternoon snacks, with two or more foods from the five basic food groups including Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy and Proteins.

We offer water with snacks, and a choice of milk (2% for toddlers and 1% for preschool) or water at lunchtime. Please let us know if you prefer your child have a milk alternative (this may be one of your snack donations, see below). It is extremely important for us to know if your child has food allergies, or if you have special dietary requirements. We do not serve juice.

 

NUTS 

We have a NO NUT policy throughout the San Luis Obispo center. Please respect the safety of everyone and make sure to read labels and wash hands thoroughly upon arrival to avoid any contamination. This includes any peanut or tree nut.

 

PARENT SNACK DONATIONS – A Vital Part of Our Program

All families are asked to make monthly donations for snacks. If you have more than one child, plan to donate to each classroom. If your child attends full time we ask that you donate twice a month. Look for snack sign up sheets in classrooms or near sign in and out binders. Check in with your child’s teacher if you have any questions or concerns.

We ask that you READ LABELS for nutritional information (NO NUTS), avoiding overly processed foods, and those using hydrogenated oils. Due to sanitation reasons, all foods, other than fresh fruits and vegetables, must come in un-opened original packages. Fresh muffins, breads, etc. must be made at the center.

 

Your Child’s Lunch

All children who will be attending between 11:30 am - 12:30 pm must bring a lunch, clearly marked with their name. Bring “ready-to-eat” healthy non-processed food for your child’s lunches. Please read further for foods we prefer to see in your child’s lunch (and for things we will discard).

If you want your child to have warm food please send it in a well-sealed thermos as we are not able to heat up lunches. We store lunch containers in classroom refrigerators and in cubbies after lunch. New families are offered a lunch container (that fits easily in our refrigerators).

*Processed foods, such as Lunchables, are not healthy, we give one “please don’t bring” warning. If this happens more than once we will set up a time to discuss nutrition and expectations.

 

PLEASE CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING IN PLANNING YOUR CHILD'S LUNCH

Grains/Bread/Cereal - Preferably organic whole wheat bread or crackers      

Protein/Meats – Sliced chicken, lunchmeat, sun butter sandwiches, cheese

Vegetable/Fruits – One of each, and a variety

 

You will get a notification if the following items are sent to school (the item will be removed from your child’s lunch and sent home) and will be asked to review the nutrition policy.

Gum
Candy
Soft Drinks
Gummy Snacks
Pirates Booty
Desserts (donuts, cookies, etc
Fast Food
Chips
Lunchables
Nutella
Jello or Pudding
Juice / Drinks other than Water
 

                              Samples of Nutritional Lunch Suggestions

  Ham Strips                                                           ½ Roast Beef & Cheese Sandwich

  Small Bran Muffin                                                       Small green Salad

  Pineapple Tidbits                                                       Apple (cut for toddlers)

 

  Mini Pita with Hummus & Lettuce                             Cheese Pizza Wedge

  Orange Wedges                                                   Snow Peas

  Cheese Squares                                              “Real” Fruit Leather

 

  Cottage Cheese                                                   ½ Sunflower Butter & Banana Sandwich

  Bread Sticks                                                  Broccoli Florets, Ranch Dip

  Zucchini Rounds                                            Mango

 

   Cheese Strips                                                            ½ Tuna Sandwich

   Whole Wheat Crackers                                  Cucumber Circles

  Tomato Wedges                                            Strawberries (cut in ½ for toddlers)

                       

   ½ Turkey Sandwich                                       Cold Macaroni & Cheese       

   Carrot Sticks (steamed for toddlers)                Sweet Peas

   ½ Banana                                                                 ½ Pear