The LBJ&C Head Start Programs offering children and some families in need free meals thanks to a reimbursement program.
The Child and Adult Food Care Program reimburses Head Start for meals given to children. Director Penny Meadows said the program feeds kids nutrient-dense meals they may not get elsewhere. Meadows said all of the meals are cooked in house.
“We provide all the food for the children,” Meadows said. “The parents don’t have to bring food in, so that allows those children to have what they need. And it takes it away from the parents from having to provide it.”
Meadows said lower costs due to reimbursements allow the center to provide free meals to the entire family, meaning adults can also receive nutritious food with their children. Adult meal costs are absorbed by the center.
Meadows said it is important for kids to have nutritious meals so their brains and bodies develop in a healthy way. In addition, Meadows said establishing healthy eating habits early can help prevent long term issues.
“If a child, or an adult as well, their diet is riddled with high salt, high sugars, you know a lot of health problems come from that,” Meadows said. “And if we can teach the children to eat the healthy types of meals at a young age, then hopefully that won’t just be with them for that time. It’s going to lead on into their later life and help them to be healthier.”
Meadows said the whole family focus makes Head Start different from other programs. She said that it is hard to inspire change in an entire family by just helping the children, so the adults are just as important.
Though adult meal reimbursement may not come from LBJ&C’s Child and Adult Food Care Program, education on healthy eating is just one way it can make lasting impact.
“We’re hoping that when the children learn to eat these meals, and families eat them with the children, we can hopefully help them when they’re at home so that they may want to fix those kind of meals and help the entire family.”
The center is reimbursed for breakfast, lunch, and snacks provided to children at the center. Other entities who participate in the program may be reimbursed for their specific needs. For instance, some nursing homes who participate may be reimbursed for meals they provide to seniors they care for.
Meadows said anyone who comes to LBJ&C may receive a free, healthy, made from scratch meal through this program.