Smarter Mealtime Challenge Application
Parts 2 and 3
For the complete Smarter Mealtime Challenge instructions, view the document titled Smarter
Mealtime Contest: Application Details located on the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE)
website.
After you have submitted Part 1, complete the information below and submit your application to:
[email protected]
Part 2 is due May 2, 2017.
Part 3 (optional) is due May 30, 2017.
Be sure to save this document to your computer and attach the document to your email. In the
subject line write: Smarter Mealtime Contest application. If you wish to mail your application,
send your completed application to:
Minnesota Department of Education
Attn: Food and Nutrition Service, Smarter Mealtime Contest
1500 Highway 36 West
Roseville MN 55113
Required Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Name of Organization (if you are
representing a child care center)
Mailing Address (Address, City,
State, Zip Code)
Phone Number:
Email Address:
1
Part 2
Complete both the Mealtime Assessment and the Action Plan.
Mealtime Assessment
If you are representing a child care center, complete only page 3 titled “Mealtime Assessment
for Child Care Center.”
If you are a family child care home provider, complete only page 4 titled “Mealtime Assessment
for Family Child Care Homes.”
Action Plan
Be sure to allow adequate time between selecting your strategies and documenting the work on
the Action Plan. You may need a few weeks in between identifying strategies and
implementation, so plan accordingly in order to complete your application by May 2, 2017.
2
Mealtime Assessment for Child Care Centers
Instructions: Examine the serving and dining spaces where children eat meals. Indicate whether each
statement is true by checking the box. Only check the box if it is true on that day and you observe it happening.
Some items may not apply. Total your score and write the number at the bottom. The unchecked boxes are
areas for you to consider implementing in the future. Complete the assessment again in 6-12 months to see if
your score improves!
Menu Planning
Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are served
at each meal.
Fresh fruit is served daily.
Available vegetable options have been given
creative or descriptive names.
All vegetables names are included in the
published monthly child care menu.
Menus are posted and available for all parents
and staff.
Menus include culturally relevant meals and
snacks.
Mealtime Atmosphere
Serving utensils are age appropriate.
Eating utensils are age appropriate.
The center has implemented family-style meal
service and children are allowed to serve
themselves (with adult supervision).
Children's artwork is displayed in the dining
areas.
The dining space is used for other learning
activities beyond meal service (i.e. nutrition
education activities, child care activities, etc.).
All lights in the dining areas are currently
functional and on.
Clutter is removed from service and dining areas
promptly (i.e. empty boxes, pans, lost and
found, etc.).
Trash on floors, in, or near garbage cans is
removed in a timely manner.
Cleaning supplies are not visible during meal
service.
Parents are encouraged to experience the child
care mealtime environment (to observe,
volunteer, or participate).
Child Involvement
Children are involved with mealtime set-up and
clean-up routine.
Children provide ideas for creative and
descriptive names for menu items.
Older children are involved in modeling healthful
eating behaviors to younger children.
Feedback from children is used to inform menu
development, dining space decor and
promotional ideas.
Staff Involvement and Support
Special celebrations involve non-food treats or
healthy foods.
Children have enough time to eat without
being rushed.
Staff members eat with children at the table.
Staff members model healthful eating
behaviors.
Staff members refrain from consuming
unhealthy food and beverages in front of
children.
Staff encourage children to try new foods.
Staff have pleasant conversations with
children during mealtime.
Staff members refrain from praising children
when they clean their plates.
Staff members avoid bribery when
encouraging children to try foods.
Staff members announce the menu in daily
routine.
Food (healthy or unhealthy) is never used as a
reward for good behavior.
Food is never withheld for punishment.
The child care center participates in Farm to
Child Care (sourcing local food).
The child care center utilizes USDA Team
Nutrition resources.
Signage and Communication
Posters displaying healthful foods are visible
within all dining areas.
Dining space is branded to reflect the child
care center or children's interests (i.e. named
for a character, mascot or local hero).
All promotional signs and posters are rotated,
updated or changed at least quarterly.
All creative and descriptive menu names are
rotated, updated or changed at least quarterly.
Daily information is provided to parents about
what their children ate.
Parents are given literature/activities to
promote new foods at home at least two times
per year.
Score (out of 40) _____ Date Conducted________
3
Mealtime Assessment for Family Child Care Homes
Instructions: Examine the serving and dining spaces where children eat meals. Indicate whether each
statement is true by checking the box. Only check the box if it is true on that day and you observe it happening.
Some items may not apply. Total your score and write the number at the bottom. The unchecked boxes are
areas for you to consider implementing in the future. Complete the assessment again in 6-12 months to see if
your score improves!
Menu Planning
Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are
served at each meal.
Fresh fruit is served daily.
Available vegetable options have been given
creative or descriptive names.
All vegetable names are included in the
published monthly child care menu.
Menus are available for all parents.
Menus include culturally relevant meals and
snacks.
Mealtime Atmosphere
Serving utensils are age appropriate.
Eating utensils are age appropriate.
Family-style meal service has been
implemented and children are allowed to serve
themselves (with adult supervision).
Children's artwork is displayed in child care
area of the home.
Less healthy treats are placed out of sight (not
on counter space).
All lights in the dining areas are currently
functional and on.
Clutter is removed from service and dining
areas promptly (i.e. empty boxes, pans, lost and
found, etc.).
Trash on floors, in, or near garbage cans is
removed in a timely manner.
Cleaning supplies are not visible during meal
service.
Distractions, such as the television, are turned off during mealtimes.
Child Involvement
Children are involved with mealtime set-up and
clean-up routine.
Children provide ideas for creative and
descriptive names for menu items.
Older children are involved in modeling healthful
eating behaviors to younger children.
Feedback from children is used to inform menu
development, dining space decor and
promotional ideas.
Provider Involvement and Support
Special celebrations involve non-food treats or
healthy foods.
Children have enough time to eat without
being rushed.
Provider eats with children at the table.
Provider models healthful eating behaviors.
Provider refrains from consuming unhealthy
food and beverages in front of children.
Provider encourages children to try new foods.
Provider has pleasant conversations with children during mealtime.
Provider refrains from praising children when they clean their plates.
Provider avoids bribery when encouraging
children to try foods.
Provider announces the menu in daily routine.
Food (healthy or unhealthy) is never used as a
reward for good behavior.
Food is never withheld for punishment.
Food is purchased from local sources when available (farmers market, etc.) or grown in your garden.
Provider utilizes nutrition education materials
such as USDA Team Nutrition resources.
Communication
Pictures or posters displaying healthful foods
are included in learning activities.
Imaginative play area includes healthy food models.
New foods are introduced through taste testing
opportunities.
Creative and descriptive menu names are
developed or updated when there are new
foods served.
Daily information is provided to parents about
what their children ate.
Parents are given literature/activities to
promote new foods at home at least two times
per year.
Score (out of 40) _____ Date Conducted________
4
Smarter Mealtime Action Plan
Review your completed Mealtime Assessment and look at the statements that you did not check. Select three areas that you are not
currently doing that you will focus on prior to the application due date (May 2, 2017). Describe your selected strategies in the chart below.
Strategy to
Implement
Timeframe
(identify start
date)
Person(s)
Responsible
Resources or
techniques that
will be utilized
(supplies
needed,
communication
methods, etc.)
When the strategy has been fully implemented, indicate the
date of completion and write a description in up to four
sentences.
1.
5
Strategy to
Implement
Timeframe
(identify start
date)
Person(s)
Responsible
Resources or
techniques that
will be utilized
(supplies
needed,
communication
methods, etc.)
When the strategy has been fully implemented, indicate the
date of completion and write a description in up to four
sentences.
2.
6
Strategy to
Implement
Timeframe
(identify start
date)
Person(s)
Responsible
Resources or
techniques that
will be utilized
(supplies
needed,
communication
methods, etc.)
When the strategy has been fully implemented, indicate the
date of completion and write a description in up to four
sentences.
3.
7
Part 3: Supplemental Information
Part 3 allows you to be considered for a grand prize. Both sections (Mealtime Policy and Impact
Explanation) must be completed. If you do not submit the supplemental pages you will still be
eligible for the Smarter Mealtime Champion designation if you meet the other criteria.
Section A: Mealtime Policy
Draft a child care mealtime policy which will serve as guide for your organization/home. Policies
serve as a guide and help determine present and future decisions. The statements can help
staff and parents understand your core values for healthy behaviors. Additionally, policies set a
standard that is clear and consistent.
Statement of Purpose:
Explain why you are writing the policy and how it will improve the childcare meal environment.
Sample: Positive, healthy mealtime and snack time environments are important to the health of
the children in my care.
Sample: Children in our/my care will learn how to make healthy choices about food which will
build a foundation for their lifetime. Our staff model healthy eating behaviors and we work with
parents to promote healthy habits.
Guiding Principles:
Include a minimum of four statements that will guide as your philosophy for mealtime. Consider
including information on how adults will role model healthy behavior, how you will promote new
foods, or how you engage children in activities related to nutrition.
You may want to review your responses from Part 1 (in your confirmation email) to help guide
your statements. Think about your ideal mealtime environment and how you will promote
nutrition education during mealtime and playtime. Sample guiding principles:
• I/staff members consume the same foods as the children.
• I/we serve as a role model by avoiding unhealthy foods in front of children.
• I/we keep unhealthy options out of sight and out of reach.
• I/staff members sit with the children during meals.
• I/we talk about trying and enjoying healthy foods.
• I/staff members serve healthy foods in ways that are appealing to children, including
[offering vegetables first, giving creative names to healthy choices, encouraging (but never
forcing) children to try new foods].
• Meals are served family style.
• Pictures or posters that support healthy eating are displayed for children to see, and are
rotated on a regular basis.
• Nutrition education is provided monthly to parents via newsletters.
8
Mealtime Policy for: ___________________________________________________________
Statement of Purpose:
Guiding Principles:




(add more if desired)
9
Section B:
Impact Explanation
Tell us more about your Smarter Mealtime work by writing a description of your changes and the
impact the changes had on children, staff, and/or parents. For example, did you notice changes
in eating behaviors, conversations during mealtime, parent feedback, etc.?
You may also submit up to three documents with your application materials to support your
description. Documents may include, but are not limited to: photos, a staff or parent story/quote,
or copies of menu changes to show use of creative menu names, etc. Please note that if you
submit photos to MDE that show children, you will want to keep a signed photo release from the
parents/guardians on file. To submit the supplement documents, attach them to the same email
you send with your other application materials.
Description: (Limit 300 words)
10