The Child & Family Healing Center, a behavior therapy residential center, has a focus on nutrition. Freshly prepared food, that is. In collaboration with the contractor Culinary Services Group (CSG), healthy, home-made meals are served to the children and young people who live on site, as well as those who attend the center’s day school.
It’s no secret that good nutrition is essential to support the growth and development of children. But it can also support their general wellbeing. “Studies have shown that what you eat is directly related to mental health. Your gut is directly connected to your brain through the brain-gut gateway. The bacteria in your intestines also play a role in your emotions, ”explains Chef David Switzer. “A balanced diet then becomes essential to maintain a healthy gut and brain.”
The Child & Family Healing Center is operated by the national non-profit United Methodist Family Services and has 50 residents aged 11-17. Another 70 to 100 children attend the center’s day school program. As part of the new culinary program, residents will receive breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks, while day students will receive breakfast lunch.
Developing a menu that was suitable for both groups meant that meals had to meet USDA nutritional standards for school meals. At least half of the grains must be whole grain, right up to the breading that is used in the chicken tenders, says Switzerland. Meals must also contain the required servings of milk, fruits and vegetables, and 3 ½ ounces of protein. Fried foods are not allowed.
Although the USDA’s guidelines are strict, it is not difficult for Switzerland to follow them. “Everything is pretty clear and there are no major regulatory hurdles,” he says. In addition, Switzerland has decided to keep the guidelines for the centre’s menus throughout – not just breakfast and lunch for day students. This eliminates the need to follow different standards for different children or different meals. “It’s easier to stick to a guideline all the time,” says Switzer.
At the beginning of the program, meals are served in buffet style, with staff serving residents and students. “We start with a steam table, almost in the style of a company canteen,” says Switzer. “We could make a salad station, but not a salad bar, as the food has to be served by an employee. Station work would be fantastic too, ”he says.
But the program in its full iteration with day students is still a long way off. “Due to the transition from [CSG taking over the center’s] At the moment, they have even missed the deadline to take part in this year’s USDA school lunch program, ”explains Switzer. “But our process and guidelines are already in place so we can meet them for the next year. I don’t expect any challenges. “
For the time being, students in the dormitory come to the center’s campus for lunch Monday through Friday. Grocery carts are sent to the homes with pre-cooked food for breakfast, dinner, and snacks. “When we move in in October, we will hopefully start using the homemade food and have it sent to the cottages,” says Switzer.
About 18 months later, the center will complete the construction of a new commercial kitchen. “CSG is very involved in the planning of this space. At the moment we are working in the campus cafeteria, which has a full-service kitchen, ”says Switzer. “It has some older equipment, but it works well. We have made some improvements to the premises based on the CSG food service program. It will be a functional space if we start scratch cooking three times a day. “
As many parts of the new menu were not fully implemented, Switzerland has not yet received any feedback from residents or students on the changes in food. Still, he’s confident they will be a welcome improvement. “It will definitely be better for the children,” he says. “At the end of the day, it’s all about them, they’re mentally healthy, and having a home cooked meal versus something that isn’t will really help their recovery in my opinion.”
source https://www.bisayanews.com/2021/09/16/scratch-made-meals-support-kids-mental-health/
No comments:
Post a Comment