Food

Picture4.jpgUCLCC's core principles surrounding food culture are; we value kindness, respect and responsibility surrounding food and mealtimes, we eat together, and children are capable. UCLCC supports the familiarization of a diversity of foods through repeated exposure to its taste, texture and appearance. Children will learn about food through observational and experiential learning during mealtime experiences and beyond. Meals are a social time when teachers model family style food service, complete with conversations about food origin, biodiversity of food, and table manners. Children take responsibility for serving meal components and post meal clean-up. UCLCC works as a collaborating partner with home, community, and peers to teach children about food culture.

Children who have a disability that restricts eating and/or feeding must complete the CACFP Special Dietary Needs Tracking Form with documentation from a physician. Meals and snack for disabilities can be brought from home and the center will provide at least one component if possible. Meal substitutions for a non-disability special dietary need are allowed for only one food item per meal or snack and must be a creditable product through the CACFP food program.  A non-disability special dietary need request form must be on file for all substitutions. This does not apply to lunch for the dates that families are required to bring lunch from home.

University Dining Service (UDS) provides HRG-UCLCC with nutritionally balanced meals and snacks during the academic year along with delivery. Their cooks have the required training through their department. HRG-UCLCC is a participant in the Federal USDA Child Care Food program. The program is reviewed periodically.

     - Lunch is provided at approx. 11:30 a.m. during the academic year (all components)

   - During any time periods outside of the academic year parents must provide cold lunch and milk labeled with their child's name (microwave available)

    - Morning breakfast is provided at approximately 8:45 a.m. and afternoon snack at approximately 3:00 p.m., including milk throughout the year

    - Meals are served family style with staff seated at the tables with the children

   - If a family has special requests, such as vegetarian or organic meals, the child is welcome to bring his/her own full meal from home. Please talk to the director or program assistant if you have special dietary medically-related needs.

    - During the summer, the menu may include produce from the children's garden and/or other locally grown foods

    - All menus are posted on classroom parent boards as well as in the kitchen. Substitutions are made as needed to things like seasonally available fruits. These changes are noted on the kitchen menus.

   - If you would like your child to have a small snack beforehand brought from home, please sit with your child at a table until they have finished it prior to leaving. Do not leave with your child still eating foods from home.

Please note: During sessions outside the academic calendar, children are required to bring a cold lunch. Please place your child's lunch in the appropriate refrigerator. The lunch boxes are taken home at the end of each day. Parents are encouraged to provide healthy, well-balanced meals. Children are encouraged to try new foods but will not be forced to eat. The withholding of food will not be used as a method of discipline. DPI has a website that includes links to nutritional information at: http://dpi.wi.gov/fns/nutrition.html. We encourage you to look over these guidelines and take them into consideration when planning your child's cold lunches for required days.

Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding mothers shall be:

1.       Provided a place to breastfeed or express their milk

2.       Have a refrigerator made available for storage of expressed milk

3.       Shown sensitivity and given ongoing support


You must report food allergies on a "health history form." We post your child's health history concerns in all classrooms as well as the kitchen area.  Our meal plans are posted on the front of the first fridge upon entering the kitchen area.