Program
spoonFULL makes it easy for centers to serve nutritious meals by providing fresh, affordable, ready-to-heat options.
spoonFULL provides high-quality, nutritious meals and snacks to children enrolled in participating child care centers across North Carolina. Our meal services program keeps children healthy, helps teachers focus on education and ensures every child receives fresh, delicious food every day.
Prioritizing fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting salt, sugar, fat and preservatives makes spoonFULL unique. Meals are crafted with care with local products whenever possible (including locally sourced meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables). The meal preparation team uses only canola and olive oil in cooking and uses nutritious brown rice, whole-grain breads and whole wheat macaroni whenever possible. In addition, we will accommodate special diets and food allergies with appropriate substitutions. The menus vary by the season and new foods are introduced to children in tasty and appealing ways. Our meals are fresh, unique, liked and local.
For more than 30 years, Early Years has offered catered meals following U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines with an emphasis on local, seasonal produce through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) standards.
spoonFULL buys food in bulk, allowing child care centers to purchase nutritional meals and snacks at an affordable rate, without having to maintain expensive kitchens. The program creates an economic community of child care programs that come together on shopping, menu planning and cooking.
To participate in spoonFULL, centers must maintain at least a 3-star license or be working toward a 3-star license through one of Early Years’ local quality improvement projects. This program is primarily available to child care centers in Durham, Orange and Wake counties. View the brochure to learn more about eligibility and participation.
This report analyzes food insecurity among children birth to 5 in the Triangle, examining its causes and effects on early learners. It outlines findings and methodology for mapping food insecurity and implications for Early Years. Created by students in the Department of Public Policy at UNC-Chapel Hill in 2019.
We can help!
