Menu planning is crucial for the human services segment, particularly because it directly impacts both the quality of care provided to clients and operational efficiency.  Here are a few reasons why it’s essential:  Nutritional Standards: Many human service organizations, such as rehabilitation centers, must meet specific dietary guidelines and nutritional standards. Menu planning ensures that clients receive balanced meals tailored to their health needs.    Cost Management: Thoughtful menu planning helps control food costs, an important consideration for organizations operating on tight budgets. By planning menus in advance, organizations can minimize food waste, leverage bulk purchasing, and ensure that meals are prepared using cost-effective ingredients.   Compliance and Regulation: In...

They say hindsight is 20/20 but in the new year, we’re looking ahead instead of behind us. Many are referring to 2020 as the “The Year of Focus”. When we have perfect eyesight, meaning everything can be seen clearly whether it’s near or far, it’s called 20/20 vision. Here are some tips to improve your overall focus so you can achieve more in the year ahead.   Studies have proven that what you eat, and drink can have a major effect on your ability to focus and the level at which your body and brain function throughout your day. Caffeine is beneficial for focus because it makes you more alert...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday   Ingredients: 2 Overripe bananas 1 1/4 Cup certified rolled oats 2/3 Cup Chia Seeds 1/4 Cup sunflower or pumpkin seed butter 2 Tbsp coconut oil (melted) 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed 3 Tbsp chocolate chips Pinch of sea salt Directions; 1.In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork until soft and broken down 2.Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. 3.Place in refrigerator 20-30 minutes to firm up 4.Scoop 1-2 tablespoons mixture and form into a ball. 5.Enjoy immediately or refrigerate leftovers. Note: Refrigerating will help firm dough up and make...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday   Ingredients: 1 can full fat coconut milk 2 Tbsp cocoa powder 2 Tbsp maple syrup Raspberries for garnish Directions; 1.Chill coconut milk overnight (at least 8 hourse) this will cause the cream and liquid to separate. 2.Remove milk from refrigerator and scoop the cream from the can into the blender. Discard liquid. 3.Blend cocoa powder, cream and maple syrup until smooth. 4.Serve chilled with raspberries. . .   Ingredients: 2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite sized pieces 1 Tsp Italian seasoning 1/2 Tsp garlic powder 1 medium yellow onion, minced 3 cloves...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday Ingredients: 1 Tbs olive oil 1 Yellow onion diced 6-8 Cloves garlic minced 6 Cups Vegetable broth (or stock) 15oz (420g) can diced tomatoes, drained 2 Tsp Sugar 1 Tbsp Italian dried herbs 1 Tsp Kosher Salt 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper 1 (15oz) cans white beans Cannellini beans), dried and rinsed 4 Cups baby spinach (about 6oz) 3/4 Cup Fresh grated Parmesan Cheese (for serving) 3 Tbsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley     Directions; In a large pot or Saucepan, heat olive oil medium-high heat. Add onion and galric; cook until onions are translucent and garlic...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday Ingredients: You choose! Directions: Grab your favorite brown and green foods and make a football shape with the brown foods, while using green foods around the edges, Include some dips for the veggies! Use some string cheese for the footballs stitching and voila! Football on the green. Enjoy!             Ingredients: 2 Pts of fresh strawberries Directions: Slice the top off each berry and cut in half lengthwise. Using a pair of clean food scissors slice a “V” into the top of each berry Use the little heart shaped strawberries as toppers...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday   Ingredients: 1 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil 3 cloves garlic- minced 2 medium onions- diced 2 bell peppers- any color, cored and chopped 2 large carrots- peeled and diced 2 stalks celery- diced 1 medium sweet poato- peeled and cubed (optional- I added it!) 2 pounds ground turkey- I used 93% lean* 1 1/2-2 cups water- more as needed 1 can tomato sauce- (15oz) 1 can diced tomatoes in their juices- (14.5oz) 3 Tbs chili powder 1 Tbs ground cumin 1 Tbs paprika 1 tsp cayenne pepper 1 tsp kosher sea salt 1/2 tsp freshly ground...

Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh, new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday   —————————————— Ingredients 5 large potatoes, peeled 1 small onion 2 eggs lightly beaten 1/4 Cup bread crumbs, matzah meal or flour 1 1/2 Tsp coarse salt (1 tsp if using kosher salt) Freshly ground black pepper . . Directions 1. Grate potatoes coarsely or finely, to your preference. Finely grate onion. 2. Place grated potatoes and onion in a clean kitchen towel and squeeze tightly until all of the liquid is strained. 3. Place the strained potatoes and onion in a large bowl and add the eggs, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. 4. Heat the 1-inch...

  Follow Food & Supply Source on Instagram & Facebook to see fresh new menu ideas every Monday! #MenuMonday   —————————————— Ingredients 4 Flour Tortilla 1C Cooked Broccoli, chopped 1C Cooked Chicken, shredded 1C Cheddar Cheese, shredded Directions 1. Heat Skillet on Medium 2. Place tortilla in skillet, top with 1/2 C cheese, chicken, and broccoli 3. Allow cheese to melt and flip until other side of tortilla is crisp   Ingredients 1 Zucchini 1/2 Onion, Diced 10 Cherry Tomatoes halved 1tsp chili powder Salt to taste 1Tbsp Olive Oil 1 15oz Can Black Beans drained and rinsed 12 10″ Tortillas 1 Avocado . . Directions 1. Heat oven to 425*F. Line a baking...

Reduce Office Supply Costs and Manage Head Start Purchases There are certain purchases associated with running an early childhood education program that cannot be neglected. While it is possible to lower supply costs for extra “nice to have” supplies and services, some purchases are required for the daily operation and success of the program. Office supplies are needed to stay on top of paperwork and record-keeping requirements, making them very much an essential purchase. However, it is important to reduce office supply costs whenever you can to ensure that the money for your Head Start program is being used as effectively as possible. One way to accomplish this is through...