Healthy Sack Lunches & Snacks

Children bring lunches from home. You may refrigerate your child's lunch in the refrigerator located in the kitchen if necessary. Milk will be provided by the center at lunch. Two nutritious snacks are provided daily (parents may provide an alternative snack from home for the special dietary needs of their child)

Children's Services requires that lunches from home:

1. Food shall be brought on a daily basis and be ready to eat
2. All food and beverage containers shall be labeled with the child's name
3. The center shall provide at least one serving of milk or milk product to each child at meals and shall provide morning and afternoon snacks
4. Each child's food shall be monitored daily to ensure that the food meets nutritional requirements as defined in OAR 414-300-0270 and
5. The center shall have sufficient food available to supplement any lunch that does not meet nutrition requirements as defined in OAR 414-300-0270;
6. If parents bring food for all the children as snacks or for celebrations, the food shall be commercially prepared and served by the center in an approved manner; and
7. There shall be a refrigerator on site to store foods needing refrigeration.

414-300-0270 Nutrition

1. An operator shall provide or ensure the availability of adequate and nutritious meals and snacks appropriate for the ages and needs of the children served. USDA guidelines will be used to determine if meals and snacks are adequate and nutritious. Foods of minimal nutritional value (e.g., Jell-O, popcorn, desserts, potato chips) shall only be served occasionally and not replace nutritious foods.
2. Snacks (mid-morning or mid-afternoon) shall consist of food or beverage from at least two of the following food groups: fluid milk; breads and grains; meat, fish, poultry or meat alternatives (e.g., dried beans, peanut butter, yogurt or cheese); fruits and vegetables. No liquids other than milk and 100% fruit juice shall be counted as part of the daily nutrition. A snack shall not consist of only two beverages.
3. No liquids other than milk, formula, water and 100 % fruit juices shall be served to children in care.
4. Water shall be freely available for children.
5. Nutrient concentrates and supplements (protein powders, liquid proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other nonfood substances) shall not be served to a child without a written statement of parental consent and written instructions from a medical practitioner. Special diets, not including vegetarian diets, shall not be served without written instructions from a registered dietician or medical practitioner and written parental consent.