CACFP Food Program
🥦 Nourishing Young Minds: How Rising Stars Learning Center Uses the CACFP to Serve Fresh, Healthy Meals Every Day
At Rising Stars Learning Center LLC, we know that healthy bodies fuel bright futures. That’s why we’re proud participants in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)—a federally funded initiative that ensures children in childcare settings receive nutritious, well-balanced meals each day.
As a state-licensed childcare center in Iowa, we follow all CACFP guidelines to provide meals and snacks that meet the highest standards for childhood nutrition. But we don’t stop there—our meals are made fresh daily in our on-site kitchen by a dedicated food service team that truly cares about what goes on each plate.
🥗 What is CACFP?
The CACFP program supports early childhood providers like us in offering healthy meals that include:
A variety of fruits and vegetables
Whole grains
Lean proteins
Low-fat dairy
Age-appropriate portion sizes
By following the CACFP meal patterns, we help children develop lifelong healthy eating habits—without ever compromising on quality or taste.
🍎 What Makes Us Different?
While many centers rely on packaged or pre-prepped food, we believe our children deserve more. At Rising Stars, we prepare meals from scratch every day using fresh ingredients. Whether it’s a hearty breakfast, a colorful lunch, or a wholesome afternoon snack, every bite is made with care—and CACFP compliance in mind.
We also tailor our meals to the specific needs of each age group and accommodate allergies and dietary restrictions to ensure that every child is safe and supported.
👨‍👩‍👧 A Team Effort
Participating in CACFP means more than just serving food—it means educating our staff, partnering with families, and building a culture of wellness throughout our center. Our team receives ongoing training on nutrition and food safety to meet state and federal standards, and we keep parents informed and involved every step of the way.
đź’¬ Want to Learn More?
If you’d like to learn more about the CACFP program or take a peek at one of our weekly menus, we’re always happy to share. Come visit our kitchen, talk to our staff, or ask about how we make meal times something our students truly look forward to.
Because at Rising Stars Learning Center, every day is a chance to nourish, nurture, and help our children shine. 🌟
