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
English Muffin pizzas - I use spaghetti sauce, diced canadian bacon, sausage bits,
or pepperoni slices, mozz cheese and broil in the oven until done
Pear Slices
Canned corn or on the cob
Chocolate Milk
Hot dog - all meat with a CN label
Tidbit Pineapple
Baked Beans
Homemade Mac and Cheese with whole wheat noodles
(My kids don't eat the bun anyway, so I don't even serve one. Can also serve another fruit or veggie so that for sure between the baked beans and mac & cheese you have enough protein served. )
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 - CN label only
Green Beans
Applesauce
Peanut butter sandwich
(serve the PB sandwich because it counts as the bread and the extra protein needed. Otherwise the kids would need about 9 fish sticks each and that's just too many for their tummies and my budget)
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.
A tip that I love which came from my food program rep .... For crock pot cooking, buy those crock pot bags. Put one in your crock pot along with all the ingredients for your recipe. Take the ceramic pot out of the actual crockpot and put it in the freezer. (assuming your crock pot does this. I have two and one does and one doesn't come apart) When frozen, take the crock pot bag out and fold the top over. Place in a freezer bag and label it. Then when you want that meal, just pull out the bag and it fits perfectly in your crock pot ready to heat.
