Food and Nutrition

Nutrition is a major factor in the physical, social, mental, and emotional development of children. The Center offers a good opportunity to establish nutritionally sound eating habits as well as an understanding of the relationship between eating together, food, serving portions, health, and growth.

Our goal is to have a positive influence in broadening children’s food experiences while being conscious of young children’s tastes, appetites, and choke-able food restrictions.

UMCDC’s cook is responsible for providing infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with a nutritious and balanced breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack. A variety of high quality, wholesome, unprocessed foods that exceed USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program minimum requirements are offered. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus are available.

We provide infants with commercial baby food and formula containing no added sugar or salt. Breast milk may be stored and served to attendants in accordance with Minnesota DHS licensing, or mothers may prefer to come to UMCDC and nurse in the room set aside for this purpose.

Parents may purchase lunch, for $3.00, if they notify the front desk no later than 9:00 a.m. on the day of their lunch visit.

Special Diet

Parents of children with special dietary needs must consult with UMCDC’s cook as well as the child’s teacher regarding substitutions. If your child has an intolerance or allergy to a USDA Child Care Food Program required food (such as milk), a special diet statement form, available upon request from the front desk, must be completed, signed by your child’s health care provider and submitted to the cook before we can serve your child a menu substitution.

Parent requests for vegetarian or religious/cultural substitutions are accommodated to a practical degree for feeding a large population of young children within government and program guidelines. The cook decides what vegetarian alternatives for meat, poultry, or fish are to be provided.

Food Brought from Home

For medically authorized, special dietary needs, UMCDC reserves the right to require that parents provide the food substitutes from home. Due to our need to control food allergies as much as possible, this is the only situation in which food may be brought into the building.

Public Notification

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).  Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.