Food Philosophy: What Our Children Deserve

Opportunities:

• To eat wholesome, nutritious foods

  • Simple components, whole foods as much as possible

  • Focus on whole grains; minimize simple sugars

  • Made from scratch rather than premade, processed products

  • Emphasize proteins for morning snack and lunch for lasting energy

• To facilitate lasting, healthy relationships with foods

  • Plenty of chances to experience new tastes and foods

  • Family-style meals that allow children to determine what is plated

  • Teacher as an appropriate role model, willing to try new things

  • Teacher strategies that encourage food relationships without trickery

• To see mealtimes as pleasant, socially rich experiences

  • Children gathering together to share meals in a relaxed timeframe

  • Teacher and children conversing about events and happenings

  • Children asking for food to be passed to them, and passing to others

  • Children remaining in conversation at the table as long as desired

• To develop awareness and competence as citizens of a community

  • Gardening opportunities help children understand where food originates

  • Curriculum experiences encourage children to explore food as fuel

  • Family-style serving facilitates confidence in self-help skills

  • Children participating in lunch set-up, serving, and clearing responsibilities develop an awareness of helping themselves and others

  • Green practices: participating in composting, using real, non-disposable materials