1. Q: Are picnics acceptable?
    A: Yes, as long as they meet the meal pattern requirements. You must call the Heartland office before you go to inform us that
   the claimed meal will be served outside the home.


2. Q: Should I force a child to eat? How long is a reasonable amount of time to allow a child to eat?
    A: No. Children should not be forced to eat. Give them enough time to enjoy their meal. If they lose interest or dawdle, give
    them a reasonable time to eat; about 30 minutes, then quietly but firmly remove their food.


3. Q: May we ever serve ice cream, Kool-aid®, etc.?
    A: Non-creditable foods may be served as extra or “other” foods only after the required foods are served. Do not serve
    as “reward” for eating other foods.                                                                                          

4. Q: What about birthday treats brought by the parents?
    A. Meals claimed for reimbursement must meet the meal pattern requirements and be provided by the child care provider.
   “Other” foods may be served, but not in place of the required components. Birthday treats that do not meet any part of the
    required meal pattern should be served after the meal to help eliminate plate waste and provide examples of good eating habits
    that are desirable for children to develop.


5. Q: If a cold lunch is packed and sent with children for lunch at school, may I claim it for reimbursement?
    A. No. Meals must be served in the presence of the licensed/certified child care provider.


6. Q: If I take a day off and hire a substitute to care for the children, may I still claim meals for reimbursement?
    A. Only if the substitute is a licensed child care provider or caregiver, or listed as a helper or back-up with social services.
    Certified providers are not allowed to claim in this circumstance because Social Services does not allow a list of back-up
    helpers if the provider is not present.


7. Q: If I take time off and leave the children in the care at someone else’s home, may I claim reimbursement if I furnish
    the food?
    A. No, all meals claimed for reimbursement must be prepared and served at the licensed/certified and enrolled provider’s home,
    unless she/he takes children on a picnic.


8. Q: Can I serve water as the beverage at snack time?
    A. Yes, water can be offered as a beverage if the snack contains the required two food groups. Children need to be offered
    water throughout the day.


9. Q: Must a young infant eat at only the specified meal times?
    A: The meal pattern for infants states breakfast, lunch, supper and snack, but that is only a guideline. Young babies may need
    to eat every 2 to 4 hours. Older babies may also need to eat more frequently than the specified times. When babies are
    hungry, give them part of their next feeding.


10 Q: Why is fruit juice not included in the 4-7 month age group?
    A: Fruit juice should be provided in a cup, not in a bottle, to avoid baby bottle tooth decay. By eight months of age, most
    babies can begin to drink from a cup. Fruit juice may be served as an additional food before eight months of age to babies who
    are able to drink juice from a cup.


11. Q: Why is fruit juice not offered as an option at breakfast, lunch and supper?
     A: The use of fruit juice, in addition to the required amount of formula or milk at each meal, would amount to too much liquid
     and could discourage the baby from eating solids.


12. Q: Why do 8 through 11 months olds have to have a solid fruit/vegetable at breakfast?
     A. There are two important reasons why a solid fruit must be served to infants this age; 1) Research indicates that this is the
     best age for infants to adjust their bodies to solid foods, i.e., learning to chew; swallow; and having their stomach, intestines
     and bowels develop correctly. Allowing both juice and formula would be too much liquid and could discourage the baby from
     eating solids; 2) There is rapid brain, organ and internal growth during this 8-11 month time period and solid food usually
     provides more calories than juice. Therefore, solid food especially after having little or no food throughout the night, could be
     in the infant’s best interest in the morning.


13. Q: Why can’t I serve creamed vegetables to my infant?
     A. Baby foods labeled as “creamed” such as creamed spinach, creamed corn, and creamed green beans, are not considered a
     100% fruit/vegetable. The USDA defines single-ingredient foods as creditable baby foods. It cannot be determined what
     proportion of a creamed baby food is vegetable versus what proportion is the “cream” mixture.


14. Q: Why are some of the food portions so small?
      A. The portions listed are the minimum amounts which meet the requirements. You may serve larger portions to those babies
      who would like more.


15. Q: Are adult cereals, like Cheerios, allowed?
      A. Only iron-fortified infant cereal meet the cereal requirement. Adult cereals like Cheerios, may be served as additional foods.


16. Q: Which baby foods are allowed?
      A. Baby foods in a jar or dehydrated flakes are allowed as long as they are totally made from fruits, vegetables, or meats.   
      Desserts (pureed fruits with sugar and or fillers added), combination foods, and infant dinners are not allowed since it is
      difficult to determine the amount of each component that is in them.


17 Q: Which cooked dry beans or dry peas are allowed?
     A. You may serve cooked dry beans or peas such as kidney beans, pinto beans, lentils, northern beans, lima beans, chickpeas
     or split-peas. You may use either those that are dry and cooked or those already cooked and in a can. Mash or puree them to
     the right consistency. Be aware that cooked dry beans or dry peas may cause intestinal distress or stomach aches in infants
     due to their high fiber content. Start with a small amount of cooked beans/peas to check if the infant reacts.


18. Q: What if an older infant refuses to eat IFIC?
     A. You may mix the IFIC into other spoon-fed foods to increase the chances that the infant will accept it, such as in pureed
     fruits or meat. However, do not add cereal to the formula or juice in a baby’s bottle. Another option may be to put the IFIC
     into a pancake form. Because this recipe contains egg, do not serve to infants younger than eight months; and then with
     permission from parent/guardian. See recipe.