A number of state and federal agencies, have resources--pamphlets, posters, magnets, and pocket cards--that focus on nutrition for childcare programs.

The Child Care Nutrition Resource System and Team Nutrition, projects of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), offer a variety of materials for childcare programs. These products are available both in English and Spanish and can be ordered or obtained in a PDF download from the website:

• Posters: Thermy Temperature Rules! Cooking for Food Service, available in both English and Spanish.
• Pocket cards: Child Care Centers Fight Bac! and Thermy says: Use A Food Thermometer,
• Magnets: Thermy Temperature Rules! Cooking for Food Service.

Team Nutrition also has available a booklet, Keeping Kids Safe: A Guide for Safe Food Handling & Sanitation for Child Care Providers and Manager’s Self-Inspection Check List. Also available are an Allergy Fact Sheet for Child Nutrition Program Professionals and a Farmer’s Market Coloring Book.

Several organizations have materials for the 5 A Day nutrition program. The Texas Department of Health has developed lesson plans, activities and recipes for preschoolers with handouts and discussion questions in English and Spanish for the Let’s Read Eating the Alphabet, Fruits and Vegetable from A to Z program which includes Let’s Read Oliver’s Vegetables and Let’s Read Tops and Bottoms.

The American Dietetic Association has information for 5 A Day Up to Two Years of Age.

The National Food Service Management Institute (NFSMI) has available a number of mini posters and safety tips posters that can be used in the childcare program. The NFSMI’s series of newsletters, Meal Time Memo for Child Care includes topics such as stretching the food dollar, purchasing for childcare centers, safe food handling, menu planning, chatting with children at meal time, feeding infants and toddlers, and preventing childhood obesity. The newsletters are published in both English and Spanish.

Other nutrition materials from the NFSMI include food guide pyramid booklets and posters, a video that provides training information for caregivers, activity books for preschoolers, and a nutrition education curriculum.

Resources

American Dietetic Association, 120 S. Riverside Pl., Ste. 2000, Chicago, IL 60606-6995; 800-877-1600; www.eatright.org

National Food Service Management Institute, University of Mississippi, Jeanette Phillips Dr., PO Drawer 188, University, MS 38677-0188; 800-321-3054; www.nfsmi.org

USDA’s Team Nutrition, 3101 Park Center Dr., Rm 632, Alexandria, VA 22302; 703-305-1624; www.nal.usda.gov/Childcare

Texas Dept. of Health, www.dshs.state.tx.us/kids/lessonplans/default.shtm