2023 Mountainview Daycare Nutrition Program
Spring - the Beginning of Many Things
Spring brings Daylight Savings Time and is the beginning of many outdoor activity opportunities. Take time to plan some gardening, neighborhood walks, exploration times or Scavenger Hunts. https://teachingmama.org/spring-scavenger-hunt/
 
Be sure any pending Child Enrollment Forms are turned in via email (in-box@mdnp.org) or mail, each month when you submit your claim.
 
Vegan Cheese Minute from CACFP - What if you want to serve a vegan dish and would like to use vegan cheese. Is vegan cheese creditable in the CACFP? See this article for more information.
 MARCH header holidays: : 2nd Dr Seuss Day; 6th Day of the Dude; 10th Int’l Bagpipe Day; 12th Daylight Savings;
17th St Patrick’s Day; 20th Spring Equinox; 22nd Ramadan; 23rd Nat’l Puppy Day; 31st Nat’l Crayon Day
Tofu is a plant-based source of protein. It is cholesterol-free, low in saturated fat, & high in polyunsaturated fats. Also known as soybean curds, tofu is highly versatile and has many uses in cooking. Tofu is especially useful as a dairy or meat substitute. With proper meal planning, tofu can be part of a healthful diet for most children and adults. The ability to offer tofu as a meat alternate allows meal providers in USDA Child Nutrition Programs to further diversify their menus and better meet the dietary needs of vegetarians and culturally diverse groups.
 
When offering Tofu to students in USDA child nutrition programs, providers must follow the following guidelines: (for more information check your Crediting Handbook for the CACFP & THIS article)
1. Tofu must be commercially prepared and meet the following definition, “a soybean-derived food…basic ingredients [in tofu] are whole soybeans, one or more food-grade coagulants (typically a salt or an acid), and water.”
2. Noncommercial tofu and soy products (e.g., homemade products) are not creditable. Soft or silken tofu that is incorporated into drinks, such as smoothies, or other dishes to add texture or improve nutrition, such as in baked desserts, does not credit toward the meat/meat alternate component.
MARCH HOLIDAYS

Discover MyPlate is a fun nutrition education that fosters the development of healthy food choices and physically active lifestyles during a critical developmental and learning period for children—kindergarten.
 
Using the six ready-to-go and interactive lessons will foster better nutrition for life. Children become food-smart as they practice counting, reading, writing, and more. Don’t be afraid to adapt these resources for littles not yet Kindergarten age.

Need some fun ideas for
little hands?




Click titles or photos for links to the recipes







 Click titles or photos for links to the recipes
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies,
this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity
and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
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: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; fax: (202) 690-7442; or email: program.intake@usda.gov.
 This institution is an equal opportunity provider. Contact MDNP at: 360-653-7273 / 800-631-1118 / www.mdnp.org