Nutrition at Head Start

Free Meals for Kids!

  • Area school districts are offering free meals (breakfast and lunch) for all children in the community age 18 and younger (and up to age 26 for those with special needs).
  • For more information on locations and schedules, check-out the links on our home page.

Click here to find a local farmer’s market this summer:

http://mifma.org/findafarmersmarket/

Meals served at Head Start follow the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program.  Learn more by downloading the following:

Family Style Meals

  • Meals at Head Start are served in a relaxed “family style” setting, with children and adults eating together.  Children serve themselves (as able) and are allowed to choose from what is offered at the table.  Children are encouraged to try all foods, but are not pressured or forced to eat or taste.
  • A variety of food is served which broadens each child’s food experiences.
  • Children in full-day classrooms receive breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.
  •  Children in half-day classrooms receive:
    •  AM Session – Breakfast and lunch
    •  PM Session – Lunch and afternoon snack
  • Individual care is provided to meet special dietary needs.
  •  Lesson plans include food and nutrition-related activities.

 Monthly Menus and Recipes

Healthy and Delicious Eating on a Budget:

Greater Lansing Food Bank – Ingham County Food Resources:

  • Greater Lansing Food Bank Assistance Line: 517-899-9457 or 517-898-3165. Serves Clare, Clinton, Eaton, Gratiot, Ingham, Isabella and Shiawassee counties.
  • Assistance with SNAP (food stamp applications) and up-to-date information on food resources for your household.
  • Referrals can be made for those in need of translation services.

Nutrition Tips:

“Meet Up & Eat Up” – Free Summer Meals for Kids!

Did you know the Summer Food Service Program, “Meet Up and Eat Up”, provides a place where kids 18 years and younger can go for healthy, free summer meals?  To find a site near you, click here:  Meet UP to Eat UP

 

Non-discrimination statement:

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English. To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

(1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: vog.adsunull@ekatni.margorp.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.