Nutrition

Supports Orange County’s future, current, and expanding child care providers in promoting healthy eating habits, ensuring children’s nutritional needs are met, and maintaining compliance with state and federal meal program standards. This section includes both Family Child Care (FCC) and Child Care Center subsections, reflecting shared best practices and specific guidance based on program type and size.

Both subsections include content on nutrition and meal practices, featuring practical tools such as food-buying calculators, sample menus, and recipes that align with Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards. Topics include meal pattern requirements, reimbursement rates, and healthy snack alternatives for celebrations and special events. Guidance is provided for planning balanced meals, introducing new foods, and creating positive mealtime routines that encourage healthy relationships with food from an early age.

For infants and toddlers, both subsections include detailed information on safe bottle preparation and storage, introduction of solid foods, responsive feeding practices, and accommodations for individual feeding needs. It also covers monitoring food temperatures, safe handling of breast milk and formula, and preventing choking hazards through appropriate food selection and portioning.

Both subsections address food safety and allergy management, including how to identify and document allergies, prevent cross-contamination, and respond to allergic reactions. In addition, providers will find strategies for family-style dining, modeling healthy choices, and engaging families in nutrition education and menu planning.

Together, these resources help providers design and implement meal practices that support each child’s growth, health, and cultural identity creating inclusive environments where nutritious food and positive mealtime experiences are part of everyday care.