Meals at Small Savers

Small Savers meals are catered by the Good Food Company, of Arlington, VA.

Good Food Company's literature reads:

"At Good Food Company, we think nutrition is very important. Research has shown that good nutrition during a child's early years is important not only to ensure healthy growth, but also to instill beneficial eating habits and healthful attitudes that will stay with the child throughout his or her life.

As the parent or guardian of a child who eats five or more meals a week at a day-care center or school, you want to be certain that your little one is offered the foods necessary to grow and be healthy.

When your child-care center chooses Good Food Company to supply its meals, you are assured of the highest quality nutrition available in your area. Good Food Company has been providing nutritious meals to day-care centers since 1979. This experience has taught us what foods day-care children need, and what foods they life. Here are some other important factors to consider:

• We make almost everything from scratch, including our soups, sauces, and breads
• Our food is baked and broiled, not fried
• We add no preservatives to our dishes, and little sugar or salt
• In order to ensure a high quality product, we grind our own beef from chuck roasts
• We emphasize nourishing ingredients, such as whole grains and rice. (The cheese in our macaroni and cheese contains no yellow dyes, for example.)
• Out hot meals are still hot when served. They're delivered in thermal containers
• Every meal includes fresh fruit and carefully prepared fresh or frozen vegetables
• Our kitchen meets the most stringent U.S. standards for preparation, and our menus are analyzed by an independent nutritionist.

As a parent, you can take an active role to ensure your children develop good eating habits.

Good Food Company offers these tips to help make that job easier:

• Examine your own attitudes about food. You need to believe in good nutrition. Make balanced meals for yourself, and your children usually will want to follow your example.
• Don't spend too much time talking about dieting. Talk instead about eating healthy foods.
• Ask your children to help you cook meals and shop for groceries. Discuss the ingredients you use in your recipes.
• Let them help you in your garden, or take them to a farmer's market to help you pick fresh fruits and vegetables.
• Set another good example for your kids by getting regular exercise.
• Make sure you have plenty of healthy snacks around the house. Popcorn, vegetable sticks, fresh fruits, graham crackers, breakfast cereals and low-fat yogurt all make good snacks.
• Don't worry too much when your child refuses some healthy foods such as green vegetables. Look for other souces of the vitamins and minerals those foods provide, and be patient. Their tasts will change periodicaqlly. You can address the importance of nutrition and trying new foods when the child is a little older. By the time they are five or six, you can start holding your ground and being more firm about trying new things. You'll be surprised at how many foods they will eat if you can just get them to try it.
• Reduce the amount of salt, fats and sugar you use in your cooking. In a short time, adults and children get used to the changes in flavor.

Good Food Company is a family-run company. We have children of our own, and we're proud to offer your child the same good nutrition we believe in at home."

Good Food Company can be reached by calling (703) 527-2095, and is located at 1523 N. Danville Street, in Arlington, VA 22201.