Inside Our Kitchen: Scratch-Made Meals and a Plastic-Free Kitchen

Food is a big part of a child's day, and it's a big part of ours. At Doodle Bugs, breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack are included, and our menu is now made from scratch with whole ingredients.

What we serve

We provide balanced meals through the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Meals feature fresh fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Milk is served with breakfast and lunch, and we don't serve juice or sugary desserts as part of our regular menu.

Our menu runs on a four-week rotation. A few family favorites: turkey tacos with street corn, baked chicken and veggie Alfredo with roasted broccoli, teriyaki chicken with brown rice and fresh pineapple, and pita pocket pizzas with chopped salad. You can see every week on our Weekly Menu page.

Why we went plastic-free

Our kitchen uses only stainless steel, silicone, and paper products. We made the switch in 2025 and haven't looked back: these durable tools stand up to daily use and are easy to clean thoroughly.

When we eat

• Breakfast: around 9:00 a.m.

• Lunch: 11:00 to 11:30 a.m.

• Afternoon snack: 2:30 to 3:00 p.m.

The table is a classroom

Mealtimes are for conversation, trying new foods, and practicing independence, like pouring, passing, and cleaning up. We encourage children to taste new foods without pressure. It can take many tries before a child accepts something new, and that's normal.

Allergies and dietary needs

Please tell the Director about food allergies or dietary restrictions so we can plan together. If an allergy may need a medical response, such as an EpiPen, we'll complete the required paperwork and staff training.

Celebrations

We love birthdays! Please check with your child's teacher before bringing celebration food. Treats must be nut-free and commercially packaged with ingredient labels. Fruit platters and whole-grain snacks are always a hit.