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Fueling Growth: Nutrition at CDCFC

Nutrition is the main ingredient for the healthy growth and development of every child in our Head Start and Early Head Start programs. At the Child Development Council of Franklin County (CDCFC), we help your child grow healthy and strong by serving nutritious meals every day. Think of us as your partner in building healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime. Together, we can make sure your child gets the healthy food they need to thrive at home and at school.

Nutrition page pic

↓CLICK HERE TO VIEW CDCFC SCHOOL MENU ↓

Teacher asking her classroom a question

Why Good Nutrition Matters

  • Active Bodies: Well-nourished children have higher physical activity levels and eagerly participate in movement activities.
  • Sharp Minds: Healthy meals directly improve a child's attention span, focus, concentration, and memory recall.
  • Ignited Metabolisms: Regular meals jump-start the body’s metabolism, efficiently converting food into daily energy. 
  • Family Support: CDCFC bridges the gap between home and school, assisting families with nutritional needs and dietary accommodations.
  • Child-Safe Meals: We serve developmentally appropriate meals tailored to young children. Food sizes, quantities, and textures are easy to manage to minimize choking risks

Our Daily Meal Services

Nourishing Breakfast

We provide a wholesome breakfast for all enrolled children to get them ready for the day. 

  • What is included: Milk, whole grains, and a serving of fruit or juice.
  • Late arrivals: Breakfast is always available for children arriving late, so no child starts the day hungry. 

 Delicious & Satisfying Lunch

Mealtimes are structured in a manner that supports children’s development and learning through family-style meal service. By utilizing family-style meal service, programs turn daily eating routines into opportunities for children to build confidence, practice fine motor skills, and develop healthy, lifelong nutritional habits.

  • What is included: Milk, whole grains, meat/meat alternate, a serving of fruit, and vegetables.

Fun Snack Foods

Snack time is another hands-on learning moment!  Turning everyday foods into fun, sensory, and imaginative adventures for growing minds. 

  • What is included: Food from two of the five food components such as a serving of whole grains and a fruit, meat/meat alternate and a serving of vegetables, etc.

Potable Water

Drinkable water is available and offered to children throughout the day. Water is essential for young children because it prevents fatigue, helps regulate body temperature, and promotes healthy digestion.

Daily Meal Schedules

To explore the daily meal schedules for children across the Franklin County area, you can:

  • View Online: Access the interactive meal schedules directly through the Nutrislice Interactive Menu (hyperlink).
  • Request by Email: Contact CDCFC Nutrition at nutrition@cdcheadstart.org to receive a digital copy of the school menus. 

Fueling little bodies for big adventures!

“To enrich the lives of children and families”

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The Child Development Council of Franklin County
999 Crupper Avenue
Columbus, OH 43229
(614) 271-4056