Contribution of foodservice programs in preschool centers to children's nutritional needs

Seven-day nutrient intakes of 517 Head Start and day care children participating in USDA's Special Food Service Programs for Children in Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas were assessed. Protein, vitamin A, and ascorbic acid levels from diets served at the centers were judged to be adequate, while calories and B vitamins were below recommendations but proportional to each other. Calcium intake from center diets did not increase proportionately as the number of meals and snacks increased. Nutrient contributions were only slightly greater from center diets when two meals and two snacks were provided than when one meal and one snack were served. Home diets made substantial contributions to the diets of all children, resulting in little difference in total nutrient intakes between children receiving fewer or more meals and snacks at the centers. Iron was the nutrient supplied in least amount in relation to recommendations, when intakes from home and center were combined.