No images? Click here ![]() In This Issue Food allergy tips: dairy Mealtime interactions Sandwiches and veggies Virtual menu planning training for cooks ECEC Menu Reviews 2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses Recipes Training Opportunities Access links ![]() Food Allergy Tips: Dairy Do you care for children who are allergic to cow's (dairy) milk? Dairy foods are an important source of protein, fat, calcium and other nutrients, important for children's growth and development. These foods must be avoided for children with an allergy to cow's milk, and suitable alternatives provided. Here are some tips for providing dairy alternatives:
![]() ![]() ![]() Mealtime Interactions The division of responsibility in feeding As children learn to eat, they develop expectations around mealtimes based on interactions with parents and adults. Positive mealtime interactions and clear expectations will help parents/adults to trust a child to eat as much as they need, and the child to trust the adult to choose and prepare regular meals and snacks in a positive eating environment. When the roles in this relationship are out of balance, mealtime challenges can occur. To read more about how to set expectations around mealtimes for children at different ages and stages , and to learn the importance of HOW we eat, visit the Ellyn Satter Institute Website by clicking on the buttons. Sandwiches and Veggies How do you serve veggies on sandwich days? Some children struggle having veggies on their sandwiches, whether it is because they don't like particular veggies, or it makes it more difficult to eat. You may find that when serving sandwiches the ones with salad are less popular and end up being wasted, while sandwiches with softer filling like cheese or vegemite will be eaten much more readily. If you struggle to find a way to include veggies on a day sandwiches are on your menu, try serving some on the side. Corn cobs are a popular side of veg as they are naturally sweet and can be picked up and eaten easily - just chop them in half or thirds. Other veggies could be a handful or cherry tomatoes (sliced in half for children aged under 3 years), carrot sticks or cucumber slices. ![]() ![]() ![]() Virtual menu planning training for cooks Do you want to sharpen your menu planning skills?We are holding another virtual menu planning training for cooks in February. Date: Wednesday 27th March This course will give you the foundational skills, knowledge and confidence to create menus with wholesome meals and snacks that meet children’s nutritional needs each day. You will learn about:
![]() ![]() ![]() ECEC Menu Reviews Have you had your menu reviewed recently? Reviewing your child care menu and nutrition practices will support your centre to meet the National Quality Standards, but more importantly, ensure the children in your care are receiving nutritious foods for growing healthy minds and bodies. We offer a few different menu review options: Level 1 Menu Review: Review of your menu to assess if it is meeting 50% of children’s daily food requirements. $550 + GST Level 2 Menu Review: Level 1 menu review + a review of infant feeding practices and all food and mealtime practices/ policies at the centre. $950 + GST Additional Mealtime Review: Ask us about adding on an onsite audit of mealtimes to support positive meal environments and feeding practices. The menu review process:
![]() 2024 Food Safety Supervisor Courses Food Safety Supervisor Full Course Cost: $385 This full-day face to face course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings and prepares food safety supervisors to supervise and oversee day to day operations and to prevent and recognise food safety hazards through nationally recognised training. Upon completion, students achieve a statement of attainment for the following units of competency:
Tuesday 19th March 2024 9am - 4pm Thursday 4th April 9am - 4pm If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible. If you are due to renew your food safety supervisor certificate in light of the new five year requirements, we are offering many recertification courses in 2024 as enforcement commenced 8th December 2023. This 3-hour face to face recertification course is available to participants in early years, OSHC, aged care and disability settings that have previously obtained a food safety supervisor certificate. Please note: you will be required to provide a copy of your previous statement of attainment upon registration in order to confirm your booking. Upcoming recertification course dates: Tuesday 26th March 9am - 12pm OR 1pm - 4pm If these options don’t suit, please don't hesitate to email us at training@naqld.org with your preferred date and time. We also offer private courses at suitable venues for a minimum of 8 people. We will try to accommodate your request if possible. ![]() Recipes This month we have two delicious 5-ingredient recipes to share: ![]() Training OpportunitiesOnline Training We offer a suite of online training programs through our partner In Safe Hands. Click on the following buttons for more information and to register. Access linksOnce logged in to the subscriber section of our website, access the following: ![]() Do you have a question for the Food Foundations team?Feel free to give us a call (07 3257 4393) or email through your questions to foodfoundations@naqld.org Nutrition Australia Qld Nutrition Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land we work on and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging. |