One of the most impactful steps towards enhancing public health is instilling healthy eating habits in children from their earliest years. The Angels Child Care Food Program (Angels CCFP), a dedicated direct service program by Heluna Health, is passionately committed to this mission. It strives to deliver high-quality child care experiences that foster children’s physical, social, and emotional development through comprehensive nutrition support. By partnering closely with child care providers, the Angel Child Care Food Program makes a significant positive impact on children’s health and eating behaviors right from the start of their lives.
Established in January 2001 under the leadership of Executive Director Jamie Ortega, the angel child care food program reflects Jamie’s lifelong dedication to social services. Her deep-seated belief in the power of helping and nourishing children as a means to create meaningful change drove the program’s inception. Reflecting on the decision to collaborate with Heluna Health, Jamie shared, “I knew deep in my heart that Heluna Health was the right choice because of the different organizations that worked with Heluna Health servicing different communities in different fields… I came to Heluna Health with a dream, and they helped me put it into action and service.” This partnership has been instrumental in expanding the reach and effectiveness of the angel child care food program.
Child care providers participating in the angel child care food program benefit from customized nutritional training. This training equips them with the knowledge of how and what to feed the children under their care, along with structured menu plans, nutritious food suggestions, and informative educational materials about essential food groups. Furthermore, to support their commitment, providers receive reimbursements for the healthy meals they serve to children. A cornerstone of the angel child care food program is its inclusivity: all children receive free, wholesome meals, irrespective of their household income. The transformative value of this initiative in children’s lives is immense. For many, the nutritious meal provided through the angel child care food program may be the only substantial meal they receive throughout the entire day.
” I appreciate [Angels CCFP] because it allows for my daycare children to receive knowledge of what is a healthy and balanced meal. Unfortunately, with busy lives, this is early training they may not be receiving consistently at home. This allows them to develop healthy habits early in life that they can benefit [from] long-term. I am glad to be a part of that!” – Angel Child Care Food Program Provider
Indeed, establishing sound nutritional habits during childhood is paramount for long-term well-being. Children who consistently consume unhealthy foods in their formative years face a higher risk of developing preventable health issues later in life. Conversely, children who cultivate healthy eating habits from a young age are setting themselves up for a healthier future. The angel child care food program plays a crucial role in fostering these positive lifelong habits.
Currently, the angel child care food program supports over 580 dedicated providers and positively impacts the lives of more than 5,500 children. This impactful work is made possible through generous funding and donations. To extend its reach to even more child care providers and children, the angel child care food program is actively seeking increased funding. Greater financial support would significantly amplify the program’s capacity to shape the nutritional landscapes for young children. Individual donations are particularly vital, enabling the angel child care food program to provide enhanced educational resources and offer better support to both child care providers and the children they nourish. You can contribute to the impactful work of the angel child care food program through Heluna Health’s secure donation portal: donate to Angels Child Care Food Program. Every dollar donated is an investment in providing children in child care with a healthier start to life, ensuring brighter and healthier futures.
