Research & Practice
Examining Food Procurement Characteristics in Washington State Child Care Settings
Early care and education (ECE) settings serve as primary eating environments for young children. Approximately 60% of U.S. children aged 5 years old and under are enrolled in some form of ECE and receive up to two-thirds of their daily nutrition in these settings. Many factors impact nutrition in ECE settings. While most studies have focused on the association between Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and nutrition, little is known about the relationship between procurement practices (where and how childcare providers purchase food) and nutrition in ECE settings. This information may guide purposeful interventions that promote healthy procurement and improve access to healthy foods, ultimately improving the nutritional quality of meals children receive in ECE settings. The purpose of this analysis is to characterize the food procurement practices of licensed center (Centers)- and family home-based (FHCCs) ECE programs in Washington State and to explore the relationships of these practices with the nutritional quality of meals served to children in their care.
Materials Available
Project Type(s): Master's Thesis
Author(s): Monica Lazarus
Program(s): Master of Public Health, RDN Training
Year: 2017
Adviser(s):