Before children ever reach a school cafeteria, many are already eating breakfast, lunch, and snacks in child care every day. Yet child care is often left out of the conversation about how we ensure children have access to healthy meals.
In the first half of 2026, Early Connections served 55,570 meals to children in our care. That’s 55,570 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks served.
“Having meals provided was one less thing I had to think about as a working parent. I knew my child was eating well throughout the day, and that made a bigger difference for our family than people might realize.”
The First Lunch Table
Before children ever reach a school cafeteria, many are already eating breakfast, lunch, and snacks in child care every day. Yet child care is often left out of the conversation about how we ensure children have access to healthy meals.
In the first half of 2026, Early Connections served 55,570 meals to children in our care. That’s 55,570 breakfasts, lunches, and snacks served.
“Having meals provided was one less thing I had to think about as a working parent. I knew my child was eating well throughout the day, and that made a bigger difference for our family than people might realize.”
Miranda Baca
ECLC Parent & Early Childhood Educator
Feeding children takes a network of programs, resources, and community partners. Early care and education is an important part of that network, even if it is not always the first place people think of.
At Early Connections, much of our food is prepared from scratch. We work to minimize highly processed foods while introducing children to different foods, tastes, and textures.
Children sit together, serve themselves, and build healthy habits around the table. Food fuels their bodies and minds while creating opportunities to learn.
