What are you looking for?
Healthy and vegetarian
Healthy food is about much more than what is actually on the plate. It’s also about education: getting children really interested in eating healthy food. This is why we always have a pleasant time eating and drinking together at the table.
Mealtimes are social events where we encourage interaction with and among children in a sociable way. With the great advantage that, because they see others eating, children are more likely to try a bite too. Seeing someone eat, makes you want to eat too! In this way, we want to help develop healthy habits.
Seeing someone eat, makes you want to eat too! In this way, we want to help develop healthy habits.
A vegetarian food offering
At KinderRijk, we use a nutrition policy for the meals. Our nutrition policy is based on the guidelines of the Voedingscentrum, with a varied supply of daily fruit and vegetables as main elements. The use of saturated fat, sugar and salt is limited.
We have opted for a vegetarian food offering. This is provided at the day-care locations in the form of a hot meal on three (alternating) days of the week. A cold lunch is provided on the other days. Water is the best thing to have for a drink. The point is that children will learn to drink water when they are thirsty. When they need energy, they will derive it from food. Though tea and dairy products are also on the table.
Sustainability is another important reason for our vegetarian offer. A diet with fewer animal products is beneficial for the environment.
Products within the food pyramid
At all locations, we offer products within the food pyramid. These include crispbread, yoghurt, muesli, wholemeal bread, cottage cheese, 100% peanut butter and various types of vegetables/raw vegetables. We also provide a few products that are not covered by the food pyramid (the so-called choices of the day) for the sandwich fillings, such as low-sugar jam, apple syrup and vegetarian cold cuts. Occasionally, for example at parties or (cooking) activities, products may be provided that are not entirely covered by the food pyramid. We try to keep this in line with our nutrition policy where possible.
Hot meals from Spoony
Vegetable tagine with orange and couscous, sweet potato stew with coconut, lentils and quinoa, mashed peas with apple, broccoli burger with carrots and mashed potatoes. You will find all this in the hot vegetarian meals prepared for our nurseries.
We use fresh and pure ingredients provided by Spoony. Spoony is an organisation with a mission to help children fall in love with authentic food, bit by bit. These meals are prepared fresh daily with seasonal ingredients. The contemporary dishes are based on the new guidelines of the Voedingscentrum, combined with children’s needs. The dishes feature lots of vegetables and healthy wholemeal products. Sometimes even fruit, such as oranges or sultanas. Would you like to learn more about KinderRijk’s nutrition policy or about the dishes that are on the menu? Ask your location!
Sustainable meals
Another important reason for our vegetarian offering, is sustainability. A diet with fewer animal products is beneficial for the environment.
Alternative food products
Below you will find the most frequently asked questions about alternative food products. Is your question not listed? Please contact your location manager.
In what situations can my child receive alternative foods?
Your child can receive alternative foods if they cannot eat certain products due to:
- an allergy
- a medical condition
- religious beliefs
The childcare professional (mentor) will discuss this with you. A doctor’s certificate will not be required.
What criteria must alternative foods meet?
Alternative products must:
- comply with KinderRijk’s Nutrition Policy
- comply with the guidelines of the Nutrition Centre
- fit in with the group’s snack and mealtimes
- be easy for the childcare professionals to prepare and provide
Does KinderRijk order alternative products?
Yes, we do so in the following situations:
- an allergy
- a medical reason
- religious beliefs
and provided that the product is available from our suppliers.
What if a product is not available from our suppliers?
In that case, you as a parent can bring your own product, which is only permitted in case of an allergy, medical reason or religious beliefs.
In addition, the product must meet our criteria. Alternative products must:
- comply with KinderRijk’s Nutrition Policy
- comply with the guidelines of the Nutrition Centre
- fit in with the group’s snack and mealtimes
- be easy for the childcare staff to prepare and provide
What happens in case parents have preferences?
If the alternative food is a preference (e.g. organic or sugar-free):
- we will not order an alternative product
- parents are not allowed to bring their own food, except for infant formula.
However, we will look into this together with you. Sometimes the existing range has a suitable alternative. Example: if your child does not eat dairy spreads, we can agree to give them hummus.
Are parents allowed to bring their own food?
No, that is not allowed. The group would become disorganised if every child should bring their own food. The other reason is that it does not fit in with eating together either.
Exceptions to this are:
- baby formula (for babies, it may be necessary to provide a specific brand of formula that your child is used to);
- suitable alternative products that we cannot order from our regular supplier in the event of an allergy, medical reason or religious beliefs.
What happens in the case of severe allergies?
If severe allergies are posing significant health risks (such as a peanut allergy), the location manager may decide to:
- no longer provide a product to the group,
- or across the entire location.
This is to ensure the safety of all children.
Who makes the final decision regarding special dietary agreements?
The location manager has the final responsibility for all decisions regarding dietary agreements.
