Interlake Child Care & Learning Center participates in the USDA/CACFP food program. We meet the nutritional guidelines set forth by the UDSA/CACFP program. For more information about the USDA/CACFP nutritional guidelines, please visit these pages: Infants, and Children Over 1.

The food program is included in the cost of tuition. We have been a vegetarian center since being founded in 1982. We are also a nut-free center. Every day, we offer breakfast, lunch, and two snacks (at 3:30p and 5:30p). Using freshly bought ingredients, meals are prepared on-site by our wonderful cook and Food Program Coordinator: Brooke.

Children participate in family style meals. During family style dining, children pass the food in communal bowls around the table and practice serving their own food with serving utensils. This encourages social emotional growth with their classroom, and builds autonomy as they decide what foods to try. Meals can be used as mindfulness practice. eating. During this time, toddler and preschool age children are asked to focus solely on their food while eating; afterward, the teachers lead a group discussion with the children commenting on the tastes, textures, and other qualities of the different foods.

*Please note: Family style dining is currently suspended in order to maintain higher health and safety standards during COVID-19. This practice will return when possible.*