Healthy School Catering on a Budget: Tips for Nutritious Meals

Providing healthy nutrition in schools and daycares has reached an all-important phase; delivering that on a small budget is a considerable challenge. At Friendly Catering Co., we argue that all children should be able to have nutritious meals whether they are severely impoverished or not. Having experience in catering for healthy school meals and daycare for quite a few years, we know that with some creativity and planning, it is easy to prepare good food that is nutritious and within budget. 

Here are our tips on healthy school daycare catering for the benefit of school administrators, daycare providers, and anyone else who is a good food champion in fueling young minds.

1. Cleverly Manage Seasonal Menu Development

A seasonal menu is one of the best ideas for saving money and keeping nutrition in check. When it comes to seasonal fruits and vegetables, they are less expensive at the market and fresher as well. For instance: 

• You serve strawberries and leafy greens in spring. 
• Zucchini, tomatoes, and stone fruits are also used in summer. 
• In autumn- squash, apples, and carrots. 
• Root vegetables and citrus fruits in winter.

Friendly Catering Co. changes its menus once every three months to make food accessible, thus saving the client the extra costs that would have been incurred due to its taste timeliness. 

2. Make That Much Whole Grains and Legumes

Whole grains and legumes are cheap, nutritious, and filling. Examples of this type would be brown rice, whole wheat pasta, quinoa, lentils, and black beans. These are wonderful bases for myriad dishes. 

For example, our brown rice, black beans, corn, shredded cheese, and salsa Southwest Rice Bowl are all packed into easy, protein-filled lunches that kids eat.

These foods would help you stretch your dollar value much further while giving much-needed fiber, plant-based protein, and other vital nutrients into your meal.

3. Cut Down on Waste with Smart Calculations of Portion Sizes and Repurposing

Food waste is a heavy disaster on your budget. Here are some ideas for reducing waste: 

• Use standard portion sizes for your food items to minimize leftovers. 
• Please keep track of the popularity of your meals to note trends in their acceptance. 
• Properly save certain foods-pureed broccoli can go into a soup or something else, and roasted vegetables can turn into veggie quesadillas the next day. 

Friendly Catering Co. monitors food waste and meal popularity through software to help us continually adjust menus for acceptance and efficiency.

4. Go Meatless for 1 or 2 Days 

Meat is one of the most significant costs of any dish. So skipping it for meatless one or two days a week will lead to savings on food costs and support sustainability and heart health. 

Some of the favorites with the kids for meatless meals are:

• Hidden veggies in mac and cheese
• Lentil sloppy joes 
• Tofu and vegetables stir-fried with brown rice
• Chickpea tacos

These meals save money but are packed with nutrients growing bodies need.

5. Make Friends with Frozen and Canned Foods

Fresh is great, but they can also be as budget-friendly and high-quality as fresh products when picked and packed at ripeness. Choose:

• Frozen vegetables (like peas, corn, broccoli) for simple sides.
• Canned beans and tomatoes for soups and stews.
• Unsweetened canned fruit for healthy desserts.
• Watch for added sodium or sugar, such as low or no added sugar.

Simplicity Yet Balancing Menus 

Kids require simple, balanced plates rather than fancy dishes; hence, focus on meals with:

• Lean protein (think beans, chicken, eggs, or tofu)
• Whole grain
• One or more of either fruits or vegetables

All meals are developed based on the “MyPlate” model at Friendly Catering Co. Such a visual tool aids in putting together balanced but simple meals for healthy plates and kids’ understanding and acceptance.

Involve Kids in Steps

The menu choice is the best strategy to ensure food does not waste (and kids eat what’s in front of them). Schools and daycares can act simple taste tests, have kids vote on “meal of the month,” or offer build-your-own meal days (like taco or pasta bars). We have always found that when children can make choices, they will more often eat the choices and enjoy what they eat. 

Hire a Trusted Catering Service 

Running in-house healthy food preparation can be high-cost and labor-intensive. In such circumstances, turning to a reputed healthy school meal catering company may save costs on bulk-prepared meals with the help of streamlined logistics.

Friendly Catering Co. provides health-focused, budget-conscious school meal and daycare catering solutions. We plan, shop, cook, and deliver so you can do what you’re best at: caring for kids.  We work with schools and daycare centers to develop menus that meet both nutrition standards and financial goals. 

Final Thoughts

Healthy feeding in schools and daycare can be both affordable and not complicated. The right strategy can bring nourishing and appealing meals at a very affordable price. These tips will ensure that your small preschool or large school district can save money without compromising quality. 

And if you’re ready to simplify your food program yet maintain that nutrition is at the forefront, Friendly Catering Co. will support you.