Nutrition

Health enhances children’s ability to learn, which means enriching their quality of life and enhancing contributions to society. The goals of Nutrition Services are to provide nutrition assessment and counseling, nutritious meals, and to empower and educate parents to make healthy choices for themselves and their children.

Menu

SETA Head Start works off of a nutritionally balanced menu which is approved by a Registered Dietitian. The meals include breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

Nutrition Assessments and Counseling

Nutrition assessment and counseling services are offered to Head Start families under the direction and care of a SETA Head Start Registered Dietitian who is contracted on a consultant basis. Nutrition counseling services are offered to parents of any child at nutritional risk. This includes children who require any therapeutic diet, or who are underweight, overweight, or anemic.

Nutrition Education for Families and Their Children

Ongoing nutrition classes are offered for Head Start families. The purpose of these classes is to educate families about the importance of nutrition, and to show them how to offer nutritious food choices for their families. Nutrition education classes offered include “Basic Nutrition” and “Healthy Snacks for Preschoolers.” As part of the SETA Head Start curriculum, teaching staff integrate nutrition activities and discussions into their daily lesson plans.

Food Services

Food Services ensure that children receive nutritious meals while attending the Head Start program. Dedicated Food Services staff prepares and delivers more than 5,000 meals and snacks daily to sites throughout the county. Meals are prepared for 80 Head Start classes, and 38 infant/toddler (Early Head Start) classes. The Food Services staff also provides meals for Home Base socializations.

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

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 or for additional information, please refer to the links below.

Nondiscrimination Statement-English

Nondiscrimination Statement-Spanish

Exploring Food Together

Healthy Eating Table

MyPlate

Nutrition Overall

Pica

Picky Eaters

Sugar

Paws for Health and Safety curriculum resources include a special emphasis on nutrition. The MyPlate materials support Head Start nutrition requirements by encouraging food variety, healthy choices and recognizing special dietary needs.

In addition, cooking experiences are also encouraged. SETA provides a list of dietician approved cooking activities to teachers. These recipes have been vetted as healthy choices and have paid special consideration to allergens. As teachers come across new ideas, they can be sent to a registered dietician to determine if they meet all requirements to be added to the approved list.

An example of an approved food activity:

Black Bean Tacos
Allergy Alert: Dairy
Ingredients:
1 15 oz. Can Black Beans 2-3 Green Onions
½ tsp Cumin 1/3 cup Fresh Cilantro
5 tsp Olive Oil 4 White or Yellow Corn Tortillas
1 tbsp Lime Juice 1/3 cup Feta Cheese
2 cups Cole Slaw Mix Bottle Hot Sauce
Directions:
1. Place beans and cumin in small bowl, partially mash.
2. Mix lime juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil in another bowl.
3. Add coleslaw, onions, and cilantro to juice and oil, toss to coat (add cheese).
4. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
5. Heat 3 tbsps. of oil over medium heat and add tortillas one at a time.
6. Spoon ¼ cup of mixture into half a tortilla, cook 1 minute.
7. Fold tacos, cook until brown, about 1 minute each side.
8. Fill taco with coleslaw mixture and drizzle with hot sauce.

Learning Objective:
Scientific Knowledge, Scientific Skills and Methods, Language Development
• Develops increased ability to observer, describe, and discuss the natural world, materials,
living things, and natural process
• Develops growing abilities to collect, describe, and record information through a variety
of means, including discussion, drawing, maps and charts
Key Words:
Lime juice, cilantro, cumin, green onions, feta cheese, crumble
Examples:
During small group allow children to use their senses to smell, taste, and feel ingredients.
Chart children’s responses to develop language skills.