Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Healthy Meal Plans for Kids Made Simple


Feeding kids can be tricky—but building a healthy meal plan doesn’t have to be. The key is balance, variety, and making nutritious food fun.

A good kids’ meal plan includes:
  • Lean proteins like chicken, beans, or eggs
  • Whole grains such as brown rice, oats, or whole-wheat bread
  • Fruits and veggies in every color (the more colorful the plate, the better!)
  • Dairy or dairy alternatives for strong bones
  • Healthy snacks like yogurt, fruit, or nut butter on whole-grain crackers
Try planning meals ahead for the week and involve your kids in the prep—it makes them more excited to eat what they helped create. Simple, healthy, and kid-approved.

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Happy Mother's Day


Happy Mother's Day

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Sunday, May 4, 2025

THE IMPORTANCE OF VEGETABLES IN MEAL PROGRAMS


Vegetables are an essential par t of meals provided through various programs, including the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), School Breakfast Program (SBP), and the Summer Food Ser vice Program (SFSP). Understanding how to accurately credit vegetables is vital for compliance and helps ensure the deliver y of balanced and nutritious meals.

Creditable Vegetables

To qualify as part of a reimbursable meal or snack, vegetables must adhere to the following criteria:

  • They can be fresh, frozen, canned, dried (like lentils or beans), or 100% full-strength juice.
  • The minimum creditable serving is **⅛ cup**, except for infants.
  • Most vegetables are credited based on the volume served.

Special Rules

  • For NSLP and CACFP , raw leafy greens are credited at half the volume ser ved (e.g., **½ cup** of romaine equals **¼ cup** of vegetables).
  • Cooked greens (e.g., sautéed spinach) are credited as served.
  • Tomato paste or puree is credited based on whole food equivalency.
  • Beans, peas, and lentils can count as either a vegetable or a meat alternate, but not both in the same meal.

Juice and Smoothies

  • No more than **½** of the weekly vegetable requirement can be fulfilled by juice.
  • In the CACFP/Preschool, juice may only be ser ved once per day.
  • Vegetable smoothies are credited as juice and count toward juice limits.

Examples by Subgroup

  • **Dark Green:** Kale, spinach, romaine
  • **Red/Orange:** Carrots, tomatoes, sweet potatoes
  • **Beans/Peas/Lentils:** Chickpeas, black beans, lentils
  • **Starchy:** Corn, green peas, white potatoes
  • **Other:** Cabbage, cucumbers, mushrooms

What Doesn’t Count

Items such as pickle relish, ketchup, home-canned or freeze-dried vegetables (unless rehydrated), and chips do not qualify toward the vegetable component.

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Clerical Assistant II Front Desk


Do you have a desire to work with an organization whose goal and passion is to serve the community they represent? Are you an efficient, independent multitasker who enjoys working on a variety of activities and projects? This may be the position for which you have been waiting.

WHO WE ARE:
Solano Family & Children’s Services creates connections for families and child care providers to support the healthy development of children for a thriving community. We hire individuals who have a strong work ethic and are looking for a career that supports our mission and impact in Solano County.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:
The Clerical Assistant II – Front Desk is responsible for the professional representation of the agency to the community. This person will serve as the backup to the Receptionist. They will greet and assist clients and visitors, direct them to the appropriate staff and information, process incoming and outgoing mail, as well as operate a multi-line phone system in a fast-paced office environment. They will also assist the Human Resources Department with processing applications and onboarding activities.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:
Our ideal candidate has strong communication, interpersonal, customer service, problem solving, creative thinking, and multi-tasking skills. They must be highly organized and pay attention to detail while working in a fast-paced environment and have the ability to prioritize assigned tasks, work well under pressure, and with other community partners.

• Two year’s experience as a receptionist using a multi-line phone system in a high-traffic reception area or equivalent training preferred.
• One year experience working in the Human Resources field is a plus but not required.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• High integrity and confidentiality skills required
• Ability to build and maintain effective work relationships
• Ability to accept supervision.
• Ability to work successfully both independently and as part of a team
• High School graduate or equivalent.
• Bilingual Spanish a plus but not required

WHAT ELSE YOU SHOULD KNOW:
Background check required after offer of position. Full job description is available on our website at www.solanofamily.org or request via email at JYarrow@solanofamily.org. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950



Monday, April 28, 2025

Mindful Monsters: Body Scan with Big Bird | Social Emotional Skills


Tuning into the feelings throughout our bodies can help create a sense of calm and grounding and help us learn more about ourselves and others. In this podcast, join Big Bird to practice a mindful body scan. 

LOCATION
421 Executive Court North
Fairfield, CA 94534-4019
(707) 863-3950