A group of children sit at a small table and eat a meal or snack. What do they experience? The children are getting the kinds of foods they need to be healthy and strong. As a child care provider you know how important it is that children get the good food and nutrition they need.

The nutritional requirements of the child care food program are based on current nutrition research about what children of various ages need in order to grow and stay healthy.

Children's experiences and the attitudes they develop will shape their future eating habits and impact their overall health. By modeling healthy practices and by making mealtimes a pleasurable and social time, together we can lay the groundwork for nutritional and enjoyable meals for the rest of our children’s lives.