Nutrition
The Lord of Life Adult & Child Services Foodservice Department goes above and beyond for our children and adult participants in so many ways. We are committed to served your child and/ or the adult participant who comes to our Centers GREAT, delicious, homestyle food.
Our full service kitchen operates with four employees who work five days a week to produce the 400 meals a day for our kids, our adult participants and for the staff. That’s a lot of dishes to wash over and over. We serve our food on “real” dishes, cups & silverware. Paper products are only used in the event we have a staffing issue or an operational issue. We love our earth, so virtually everything is recycled rather than thrown away.
Our cook uses standardized recipes to prepare many of the casseroles and menu side dishes served on the childcare and adult daycare menu. Very little “already prepared” foods are purchased with the exception of breaded chicken patties or nuggets, BBQ pork rib patties or stuffed shells, which are served only once a month. Our kitchen staff is always in communication with the classroom teachers and Adult Center staff which ensures consistent food quality, appropriate quantities, and that participants with food allergies receive only safe choices prepared especially for them.
The wholesome ingredients we purchase include BROWN rice, WHOLE WHEAT pasta, WHOLE GRAIN bread, fresh and frozen vegetables (not canned), fresh fruit, (or canned fruit packed in juice, not syrup), fresh onions (not dehydrated), some FRESH HERBS (not dried spices) such as fresh parsley, cilantro, green onion, red onion, dill, basil, garlic, and real olive oil. The smells wafting throughout the facility on any given day are heavenly!
We honor doctors’ orders for specialized diet restrictions and are careful to provide foods that are safe. We have an account with several specialty food companies that sell dietary products to accommodate diet therapies like gluten free, lactose intolerance, various food allergies, diabetes, food consistency disorders and many others.
Commercial jar baby food and Similac Advanced Formula is provided on site for any parent who would like it served to their young child.
The regulatory agency that oversees our Foodservice operation is the CACFP, under the New York State Department of Health. They inspect us routinely, and oversee the high standards we follow. When you pick up a copy of the monthly menu, you will find the meal standards we adhere to copied on the back.
Everyone loves to eat; our aim is to introduce your child to nutritious foods in appropriate portions that will satisfy him or her and make them grow tall and smart. It may take lots of coaxing to encourage your child to try a new kind of food, but we continue to offer it, knowing that, eventually, he or she will taste it and may like it. When they try something new, we score and you win!
Nutrition is an important part of good child care and a healthy lifestyle. All children need well-planned meals and snacks that provide a variety of foods and the nutrients needed for good health and energy.
Working together, we can help your child establish healthful food habits that will last a lifetime. You may receive other information from Lord of Life that will suggest ways you can help your child learn about food and healthy eating. As a parent, you are the most important teacher your child will ever have. By practicing good health habits, including healthy eating, you can give your child a head start on a healthy lifestyle.
If you have questions about the Child and Adult Care Food Program, contact CACFP at 1-800-942-3858.
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