Attachment G - Information Memorandum 25-03.pdf

Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head
Start Children and Families
headstart.gov/policy/im/acf-ohs-im-25-03
Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head
Start Children and Families
ACF-OHS-IM-25-03
U.S. Department

of Health and Human Services
ACF

Administration for Children and Families
1. Log Number: ACF-OHS-IM-25-03
2. Issuance Date: 03/19/2025
3. Originating Office: Office of Head Start
4. Key Words: Nutrition
Information Memorandum
To: All Head Start Recipients
Subject: Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and Families
Information:
Head Start programs play a vital role in supporting healthy eating and nutrition for enrolled children and
families. Access to healthy foods and other nutrition services helps children grow, develop, and learn.
Good nutrition is essential for brain development and provides children with the energy needed to stay
active and focused throughout the program day. A balanced diet helps strengthen a child’s immune system,
reducing the risk of infections and illnesses. It also prevents childhood obesity, which can lead to chronic
diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
This Information Memorandum (IM) affirms the critical role of Head Start programs in ensuring children
and families have access to healthy food and comprehensive nutrition services. It also includes an
overview of relevant statutory and regulatory requirements and reminds programs of the resources and
partnerships available to support robust nutrition services for children and families. Lastly, this IM
provides tips to foster enthusiasm for healthy eating in early learning environments and encourages Head
ATTACHMENT G

Start programs to use innovative strategies to promote health and nutrition. An appendix of additional
resources is included to guide programs in their efforts.  
BACKGROUND:
Head Start programs play an important role in achieving healthy outcomes for children and families.
Nutrition services can be particularly impactful for families who experience food insecurity or live in
communities where affordable, healthy food is less available. Research indicates that Head Start children
are more likely to receive dental checkups and have healthy eating patterns than non-participants. They
also have lower Body Mass Index (BMI) scores and are less likely to be overweight compared to children
in other non-parental care (Lee et al., 2013). Obese, overweight, or underweight children who participate in
Head Start have a significantly healthier BMI by kindergarten (Lumeng, et al., 2015). Additionally, Head
Start graduates have better health status as adults than non-graduates; they are 7 percent less likely to be in
poor health as adults than their siblings who did not attend Head Start (Johnson, 2010; Deming, 2009).
The Head Start Program Performance Standards (the Performance Standards) prioritize nutrition services
that are culturally and developmentally appropriate and meet each child’s individual needs, including those
with disabilities, allergies, and special dietary needs (45 CFR §1302.44(a)(1)). In doing so, programs help
children experience a variety of nutritious foods, provide mealtime opportunities for socialization and
enrichment, and support families in learning about the importance of healthy foods at home.
Head Start programs promote access to healthy food and nutrition in many ways. This includes, but is not
limited to:
Increasing access to and availability of healthy foods for children and families in classrooms, during
home visits or group socialization activities, and during parent and family engagement activities.
Supporting families with pregnancy, post-partum, and breastfeeding, as well as ensuring the
nutritional needs of infants and toddlers are fully met.
Helping families access affordable, healthy food options at home.
Providing families with education on nutrition and the importance of physical activity.
Reducing administrative burden and supporting families to get connected with other nutrition-related
services for which they might be eligible, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Assistance Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Using registered dietitians or nutritionists to support the implementation of Head Start requirements
for healthy nutrition.
Making safe drinking water available to children during the program day.
Providing materials and equipment for center-based or home-based learning activities related to
healthy eating, such as supplies to create gardens, greenhouses, and Indigenous seed hubs.
All Head Start grant recipients and their delegate agencies are required to participate in the Child and
Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). The CACFP is a federal United States Department of Agriculture
(USDA) program that provides reimbursements for nutritious meals and snacks to eligible children
enrolled in participating programs, including Head Start programs. Implementing the CACFP meal
patterns helps to ensure children receive a variety of nutrient-dense foods, including whole grains, a variety
of fresh fruits, and vegetables, all while reducing intake of ultra-processed foods, added sugar intake, and
saturated fats. While CACFP mandates low-fat options, including low-fat and fat-free dairy products for
children over the age of 2, emerging evidence (Venn-Watson 2023; Vanderhout, et al., 2020) suggests
whole, full-fat dairy supports child development. Head Start programs can explore offering whole dairy
where funding allows. We will support implementation of possible updated guidelines while meeting
current standards. CACFP also provides resources such as the seasonal buying guide to promote in-season
local produce, which is often full of flavor and nutrients, less reliant on chemicals and pesticides, and
supports sustainability and local farmers. Additional information on CACFP is provided in more detail
below.

Head Start programs are also required to actively collaborate with parents and families, including
expectant families, on healthy eating practices (45 CFR §1302.46). Programs also engage parents to
discuss their child’s nutritional status and provide opportunities for families to learn about preparing
healthy food at home.
Overview of Relevant Statutory and Regulatory Requirements
Nutrition services have been a hallmark of the Head Start program since its inception. This is reflected in
the Head Start Act (the Act) and the Performance Standards, which detail program requirements related to
food and nutrition. For instance, Section 638 of the Act identifies nutrition as a key activity of the funding
provided to Head Start agencies. Section 648 of the Act requires programs to have qualified staff who can
promote the importance of healthy, nutritional choices in daily classroom and family routines to prevent
childhood obesity. The Act mentions nutrition services in other areas as well, as an essential part of
comprehensive Head Start services.
The Performance Standards further outline what it means to provide nutrition services in Head Start
programs. These requirements generally fall into two categories: those that occur when children are present
in the teaching and learning environment, and those that focus on engaging with families.
Nutrition Requirements for the Teaching and Learning Environment
Subpart D of the Performance Standards focuses on the health and mental health requirements for Head
Start programs. It states that programs must provide high-quality health, oral health, mental health, and
nutrition services that are developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and that will support
each child’s growth and school readiness (45 CFR §1302.40). This includes serving foods that are familiar
to children as well as new foods. There are various requirements within this subpart that elaborate on what
is expected of Head Start programs in the area of nutrition services:
All Head Start programs must design and implement nutrition services that meet dietary needs of
each child, including children with special dietary needs and children with disabilities, to support
their growth and school readiness (45 CFR §1302.44(a)(1)).
To ensure up-to-date child health status, Head Start programs must identify each child’s nutritional
health needs, considering available health information such as special dietary requirements, food
allergies, and community nutrition issues (45 CFR §1302.42(b)(4)).
The Performance Standards at 45 CFR §1302.44 detail specific child nutrition requirements, which
include:
Ensuring each child in a program that operates for fewer than six hours per day receives meals
and snacks that provide one third to one half of the child’s daily nutritional needs.
Ensuring each child in a program that operates for six hours or more per day receives meals
and snacks that provide one half to two thirds of the child’s daily nutritional needs.
Serving three- to five-year-olds meals and snacks that conform to USDA requirements and are
high in nutrients and low in saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Expect possible future updates to
nutrition guidelines to reflect the latest science, including providing whole, full-fat dairy for
child development.
Making sure that all children receive a nourishing breakfast by providing nutrient rich foods
for children who did not eat breakfast before they arrived at their Head Start center.
Providing appropriate healthy snacks and meals to each child during group socialization
activities in the home-based option.
Promoting breastfeeding for mothers who wish to breastfeed during program hours. This may
include offering facilities to properly store and handle breast milk and making
accommodations when needed.

Connecting families to community lactation consultants or counselors when they choose
breastfeeding but need support to be successful.
Subpart C of the Performance Standards focuses on the teaching and learning environment specifically
when children are in center-based and family child care programs. The Performance Standards ensure that
mealtimes are structured and used as learning opportunities. Language skills are strengthened through
social conversations and fine motor abilities are tested in handling utensils or serving aides. The social
skills involved in the back and forth of mealtime conversation also help children navigate friendships, turn-
taking, and self-regulation.
Programs must implement snack and mealtimes in a manner that supports children’s development and
learning (45 CFR §1302.31(e)(2)):
Family style dining – when children and teachers sit together for a meal or snack – is encouraged
when developmentally appropriate to support consistency between home and school by replicating
the experience of eating together as a family. Family style dining also offers a chance for staff to
model healthy food choices and the importance of nutrition. Head Start programs are encouraged to
use family style meals when developmentally appropriate. Family style meals benefit children by:
Encouraging healthy food choices as teachers and peers model positive attitudes toward
nutrition.
Supporting children to learn in developmentally appropriate ways about concepts such as
serving sizes, nutritional food groups, and the value of trying new foods.
Offering opportunity for children to practice using appropriately sized utensils to serve
themselves and helping to set and clear the table. This improves children’s fine motor skills,
boosts their self-confidence, and expands their social skills.
Support children's understanding of how food and nutrition contribute to growth and overall health,
in alignment with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). For example, a
preschooler should be supported to identify a variety of healthy and unhealthy foods, and to make
healthy eating choices both independently and with support, and a toddler should show willingness
to try nutritious foods when offered on multiple occasions.
Make snack and mealtimes a positive experience for children. This means programs provide
sufficient time for children to eat, avoid using food as a reward or punishment, and do not force
children to finish their food. The Performance Standards help programs make meals enjoyable by
creating positive eating environments where children are supported to develop and maintain healthy
relationships with food.
Promote consistency in mealtime routines between home and school by providing one-on-one time
for infants during bottle feeding. For bottle-fed infants, Head Start programs must hold infants
during feeding to support socialization. This one-on-one time helps staff build their relationships
with infants. In turn, these safe and trusting relationships provide the foundation for learning and
development because they help very young children feel secure and confident about exploring the
world around them.
Nutrition Requirements for Engaging with Families
Parent and family engagement is a cornerstone of comprehensive Head Start services. Programs must
partner with families to support their wellbeing and their children’s learning and development. As it relates
to health and nutrition, programs are required to promote children’s and families’ health by providing
nutrition education support services that are understandable to individuals, including individuals with low
health literacy (45 CFR §1302.46(a)). Programs must collaborate with parents to discuss their child’s
nutritional status, including the importance of healthy eating, the negative health consequences of sugar-
sweetened beverages, and the importance of physical activity. They must also help parents understand how
to select and prepare nutritious foods that meet the family’s nutrition and food budget needs (45 CFR

§1302.46(a)(1)(ii)). Programs are strongly encouraged to provide specific information to families about the
importance of eating whole foods and minimizing ultra-processed foods and avoiding added sugars such as
those in soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages.
Funding and Partnerships to Support Nutrition Services for Head Start Programs,
Children, and Families
Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and Head Start Programs
Head Start grant recipients and their delegate agencies are required to participate in CACFP (45 CFR
§1302.44(b)), a federal program administered by the USDA, Food and Nutrition Services (FNS). Programs
are reimbursed by CACFP for all enrolled children at the free rate. CACFP reimburses Head Start
programs for up to two meals and one snack, or two snacks and one meal per day. All meals and snacks
eligible for reimbursement by CACFP must conform to the requirements in the CACFP Meal Patterns for
Children.
The amount and type of food that must be offered varies based on the meal or snack, as well as the specific
age group being served. USDA provides numerous resources to assist program officials in determining
how foods credit toward the meal pattern requirements, including the Food Buying Guide for Child
Nutrition Programs (FBG). Head Start programs are encouraged to speak with the state agency that
administers the CACFP to determine if a food that is not in the FBG is eligible for reimbursement.
Additional videos are available on the Head Start website to support programs with CACFP
implementation.
Per 45 CFR §1302.44(b), Head Start grant funds may be used to cover any allowable costs for meal
services that are not covered by the USDA program. Foods purchased with Head Start grant funds must
conform with the nutritional requirements in 45 CFR §1302.44(a)(2)(iii), including being high in nutrients
and low in saturated fat, sugar, and salt. Head Start funds may also be used to pay for food that is provided
to families for consumption at home, if they have a specific programmatic purpose related to family
engagement. For example, Head Start programs can provide supplies for parents to engage in healthy
cooking activities or start a family garden with their children at home, and parents can share about these
experiences during parent groups or socializations.
Other Federal Programs that Support Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and
Families
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
WIC is a public health nutrition program administered by the USDA that provides nutrition education,
nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and health care referrals for income-eligible pregnant or
postpartum women, infants, and children up to age 5. Head Start programs can support families to
determine if they are eligible for WIC and then help them to enroll. Local WIC and Head Start programs
work closely together in many communities to support the healthy development of children and families.
This strong collaboration at the local level allows the two programs to coordinate their services and
maximize use of resources (e.g., funding, staff, space) for children and families. Head Start programs are
encouraged to view suggested strategies and resources to further enhance partnerships with WIC
programs at the state and local levels. 
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is a federal program administered by the USDA that provides food benefits to low-income families
to supplement their grocery budget so they can afford the nutritious food essential to health and well-being.
Similar to WIC, Head Start programs can support families to determine if they are eligible for SNAP and
then help them to enroll. Families who already receive SNAP are considered categorically eligible for
Head Start services. This allows for cross-program recruitment and eliminates duplicative and burdensome
paperwork for families who are already eligible for a federal public assistance benefit. It also reinforces
access to healthy nutrition services for the children and families Head Start programs serve and provides
opportunities to prioritize education about healthy food consumption, including the importance of
minimizing ultra-processed and high-sugar foods.
Tips to Foster Enthusiasm for Healthy Eating and Nutrition
Head Start programs have many options for integrating creative approaches to healthy eating and nutrition
services that are aligned with the Performance Standards and developmental progressions in the Head Start
Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF). The tips below provide some examples:
Make nutrition education activities fun, interactive, hands on, and part of the daily schedule.
Connecting nutrition activities with reading, math, or science content makes for a comprehensive
approach to learning. Send versions of learning materials home with parents with instructions for
how they can share in this learning with their children. Some ideas include:
Sensory activities and games: Ask children to describe the tastes or texture of foods. Use
fruits and vegetables with different colors, shapes, and textures, such as kiwi, pineapples, or
avocados, and let children examine both the inside and outside of fruits and vegetables.
Storytelling and pretend play: Turn mealtime into story time. Turning broccoli into a “tree”
or carrots into “sticks” makes mealtime fun. Outside of mealtime, use nutrition in imaginative
play:
Pretend to be different characters making good food choices.
Read books with characters making healthy choices.
Set up a dramatic play area with healthy food choices in a kitchen, grocery store, or
restaurant and talk about selecting nutritious foods.
Meal planning: Plan fun learning experiences like “Ingredient of the Week” where children
select a healthy ingredient to be included in the daily lunch menu for a week. Host special
days focused on nutrition, like “Fruit and Veggie Day,” or have a “Healthy Snack Party”.
Reach out to the CACFP state agency contact for approved meal and snack ideas that increase
variety. For families, provide take-home materials that encourage variety in meals. Consider
easy, fast, and healthy recipes that can be part of a family’s routine menu at home.
Growing plants: Have a small garden or indoor plants to show children how food grows.
Take a nature walk to find different food and plants or visit local farms and farmers markets. If
in-person visits are not possible, use technology for a virtual farm trip.
Mealtime: Share materials with families that support making mealtime fun and educational.
Help families engage children as part of meal prep. As their skills develop, children can
participate in setting the table, washing fruit and vegetables, and mixing ingredients. Families
can extend these learning moments by inviting children to count or measure ingredients,
identify food colors, and learn new vocabulary.
Family style meals: Family style dining encourages learning and development not only at the
table but away from mealtime as well. Children learn independence, social skills, and other
important habits that will last them through adulthood. Parents who have not experienced
family style meals often enjoy these experiences and, with support from program staff, may
adopt these practices at home. Use these tips for family style dining.
Increase access to fresh foods. Explore opportunities to help children and families learn about and
access fresh foods through creative experiential opportunities and connections:

Connect with local businesses: Take field trips to farmers markets, local working farms, or
grocery stores to teach children about fresh fruits and vegetables. Children may be eager to
identify new foods they would like to try. Teachers can use the foods in lesson plans and for
healthy snacks.
Connect with other Head Start programs. Visit other Head Start programs who are
integrating experiential learning opportunities to promote health and wellness.
Engage with families. Ask parent volunteers to assist in the creation of an on-site garden,
where they can pick fresh food to take home for their families. Share information during
parent groups and socializations about balancing nutrients, including calories, proteins,
vitamins, and minerals. Staff can share books for parents to read with their children about what
foods make up each food group and how much of each food group is needed to fuel the brain
and body.
Food pantries: Establish relationships with local food pantries, if available in the community.
Ensure you have a process for regularly checking in with all families about their food security
and connect them to local food pantry resources as needed.
Focus on the communities served. Take the time to get to know enrolled families on an individual
and community level, and incorporate their traditions and culture into healthy meals at the program
and as part of community events. Group events are a great time to serve traditional foods and explore
community cultures. For example, offer a rotating, in-person or virtual cooking class drawing on
healthy, local or cultural meals for the families in your program. Ingredients can be provided in
advance.
Breastfeeding and infant nutrition. Breastfeeding is the perfect mix of nutrition for growing
babies. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants be exclusively
breastfed for the first six months, then breastfed for at least one year while they are introduced to
complementary foods. Head Start programs can provide a breastfeeding friendly environment by
having a nursing room on-site for either enrolled pregnant women or mothers who want to come to
the program and breastfeed their enrolled infants.
Thank you for the work you do on behalf of children and families.
Sincerely,
/ Captain Tala Hooban /
Captain Tala Hooban 
Acting Director 
Office of Head Start
Resources:
Fact Sheet: Promoting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and Families
Supporting Healthy Eating and Nutrition for Head Start Children and Families video explores the
guidance, resources, and tips in this IM.
Subscribe to the Early Childhood Health and Wellness listserv to receive the monthly Small Bites
newsletter, which features information and tools to help establish healthy nutrition practices.
Nutrition Building Blocks is a free course offered through the Head Start learning management
system, the Individualized Professional Development (iPD) Portfolio. Complete the course to earn
continuing education unites while learning how to integrate healthy nutrition messages into music
and movement activities for young children and teachers.
Caring for Children with Food Allergies is a resource to help programs prepare to care for children
with allergies to specific foods.
Watch the CACFP Meal Patterns Webinar to learn about specific CACFP meal pattern requirements.

Healthy Feeding from the Start for Expectant Families is a resource to help families understand how
they can form healthy feeding habits from the beginning of their child’s life.
These resources offer family-friendly tips for establishing healthy and age-appropriate eating
practices at home:
Feeding Your 9-Month-Old
Feeding Your Toddler
Feeding Your Preschooler
Supporting Food Security and Access to Indigenous Foods for Children and Families in Tribal Early
Childhood Programs (ACF-OHS-IM-25-01) provides information to Tribal Nations and
communities regarding opportunities to use Head Start funding to promote access to healthy
Indigenous foods.
Growing Head Start Success with Farm to Early Care and Education is a resource to support
programs with aligning the Performance Standards and the ELOF with farm to early care and
education opportunities.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion leads prevention, nutrition, and physical
activity programs, and has additional resources:
Eat Healthy: Birth to Age 2
English: Build a Healthy Eating Routine for Your Baby (Birth to Age 2)
Spanish: Establece una rutina alimentación saludable para tu bebé (desde el nacimiento
hasta los 2 años)
Eat Healthy: Kids & Teens
English: Help Your Child Build a Healthy Eating Routine
Spanish: Ayuda a tu hijo o hija a desarrollar una rutina de alimentación saludable
Cut Down on Added Sugars
English: Cut Down on Added Sugars
Spanish: Reduce el consumo de azúcares añadidos
Cut Down on Saturated Fats
English: Cut Down on Saturated Fat
Spanish: Reduce el consumo de grasa saturada
Historical Document