{"id":118745,"date":"2021-01-05T09:00:32","date_gmt":"2021-01-05T15:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theicn.org\/?p=118745"},"modified":"2023-11-02T12:12:20","modified_gmt":"2023-11-02T17:12:20","slug":"memo-jan2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theicn.org\/memo-jan2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Mealtime Memo – January 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Happy New Year: Let\u2019s Start Fresh!<\/p>\n

The New Year is a great time to turn the page. It\u2019s a time for fresh ideas too. Let\u2019s start this year with enthusiasm for a new start and fresh ideas for providing meals and snacks through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). ICN would like to extend a very heartfelt Happy New Year to all of you for a very healthy and prosperous 2021!<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s to a fresh start in 2021!<\/p>\n

Speaking of fresh, the 2021 Mealtime Memos (MTM) feature a new look and new content. You might have noticed the new look. The MTM is now a blog-style electronic newsletter. Each MTM will have different sections that you can use.<\/p>\n

Each month will have a different theme. This month is Let\u2019s Start Fresh.
\nWe will also highlight popular food themes for creating appealing and nutritious menus.
\nAnother new feature is the What\u2019s in Season section, which will offer useful information about in-season produce.
\nThe new MTMs will feature a Food Facts for Kids section with fun and interesting facts to share with kids. It is never too early to start nutrition education.
\nLastly, each MTM will offer a peek into the next month\u2019s MTM by highlighting what is coming.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

January Food Themes<\/h2><\/div>

There are many fun theme days throughout the month of January. Consider using some of these national food days to brighten your menus and excite the children in your care. Click on the images to view more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Spaghetti Day – Jan 4<\/h4><\/span>
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From the variety of textures to the delicious flavors, spaghetti is a favorite item to prepare and serve. Get everyone ready for National Spaghetti Day by reading Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. Here is a delicious recipe featured in ICN\u2019s Child Nutrition Recipe Box (CNRB). Be sure to notice the creditable meal components listed in the recipe!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Popcorn Day – Jan 19<\/h4><\/span>
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Whether served as a snack or at lunch, many children (and adults alike) love popcorn! Consider making some with your children. Did you know that popcorn can be served as a creditable whole grain for meals or snacks? . Be aware that popcorn can pose a choking hazard for children. Extra caution should be used when serving.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Blueberry Pancake Day – Jan 28<\/h4><\/span>
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Blended with a little water, blueberry juice makes a fun, unique paint that children can use to practice their art skills. Pair this fun activity by making your own blueberry pancakes on National Blueberry Pancake Day! Consider folding fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter, then for added fruit flavor, top with fruit sauce, berry jam, or more blueberries (fresh or frozen) instead of syrup. Pancakes can be credited as a grain, and a creditable fruit can be counted if you add the blueberries.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get Recipes on the Child Nutrition Recipe Box<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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January Food Themes<\/h2><\/div>

There are many fun theme days throughout the month of January. Consider using some of these national food days to brighten your menus and excite the children in your care. Click on the images to view more information.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Spaghetti Day – Jan 4<\/h4><\/div>
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From the variety of textures to the delicious flavors, spaghetti is a favorite item to prepare and serve. Get everyone ready for National Spaghetti Day by reading Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett. Here is a delicious recipe featured in ICN\u2019s Child Nutrition Recipe Box (CNRB). Be sure to notice the creditable meal components listed in the recipe!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Popcorn Day – Jan 19<\/h4><\/div>
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Whether served as a snack or at lunch, many children (and adults alike) love popcorn! Consider making some with your children. Did you know that popcorn can be served as a creditable whole grain for meals or snacks? . Be aware that popcorn can pose a choking hazard for children. Extra caution should be used when serving.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Blueberry Pancake Day – Jan 28<\/h4><\/div>
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Blended with a little water, blueberry juice makes a fun, unique paint that children can use to practice their art skills. Pair this fun activity by making your own blueberry pancakes on National Blueberry Pancake Day! Consider folding fresh or frozen blueberries into the batter, then for added fruit flavor, top with fruit sauce, berry jam, or more blueberries (fresh or frozen) instead of syrup. Pancakes can be credited as a grain, and a creditable fruit can be counted if you add the blueberries.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get Recipes on the Child Nutrition Recipe Box<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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Pizza Week – Second Week in January<\/h4><\/span>
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Bring a little Italian culture to your children this week by making pizza. Children can add their own toppings to plain cheese pizza for a slice just the way they want! Another way to get children involved is to use a whole grain English muffin as the crust for a make-your-own mini pizza. Kids will be so excited to make their very own pizza. Give it a try!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Oatmeal Month<\/h4><\/span>
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Not only is oatmeal yummy, it is a great sensory bin filler for young children. Add some common kitchen utensils, like measuring cups, bowls, and spoons, and it becomes a fun way for children to practice their fine motor skills. Check out ICN\u2019s CNRB for a variety of oatmeal recipes that you can pick from throughout the month. Remember, oatmeal is a creditable grain in the CACFP.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Soup Month<\/h4><\/span>
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January is the perfect time for soups, so why not celebrate National Soup Month. Soups can nourish the body and help us stay warm, too. The book Stone Soup by Marcia Brown is a great read any day but especially when soup is on the menu. There are lots of yummy recipes in the CNRB, and they all list the CACFP creditable components!<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Get Recipes on the Child Nutrition Recipe Box<\/span><\/a><\/div>
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What’s in Season for January<\/p>\n

Every vegetable and fruit has its season\u2013a season when it is ripe and plentiful and when it may cost less. In-season produce also tastes fresher. Each month this section will feature several in-season fruits and vegetables. Consider including some of this produce in your menus this month.<\/p>\n

Fruit: January is the season for citrus! Lemons, oranges, and grapefruit are all in season this month. Citrus fruits are not only colorful and flavorful, they are good for you! They can be eaten in sections or sliced into smiles for easy finger food for kids. Their juice can be squeezed into water for a hint of flavor. Let\u2019s enjoy all the flavors and colors of citrus this month.
\nVegetables: Beets, turnips, and celery root\u2014yes, all root vegetables are in season. Leafy vegetables like cabbage, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, and collards are in season too. Collards are especially sturdy and are considered good luck by many for the New Year! Did you know cauliflower comes in all sorts of festive colors like purple, orange, and light green? The color is all-natural, and the taste is the same as white cauliflower but with more nutritional benefits.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Food Facts for Kids
\nLet\u2019s focus on oranges!
\nOranges are in the citrus family.
\n85% of oranges grown are used for juice.
\nThere are over 600 varieties of oranges worldwide.
\nGardeners can use orange peels as a natural slug repellent.
\nOranges have a high amount of vitamin C.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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Subscribe to Mealtime Memo Emails<\/h1><\/span>
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