Food Program

ECDC-SMC and ECDC-ND serve breakfast between 7:30-8:30 a.m., a morning snack at 10:00 a.m., lunch at noon and an afternoon snack at 3:00 p.m. ECDC is mindful of the quality of the food children eat and its healthiness. Meals and snacks consist of foods that are predominately whole grain, low in fat and sugar, and contain limited preservatives. Fresh fruit is served daily with lunch instead of sweet desserts. Our menus adhere to state licensing regulations as well as were developed in consultation with a licensed nutritionist. The cost of meals is included in the tuition fees.

ECDC-SMC Menus

• 23-24 SY ECDC-SMC Breakfast Menu
• 23-24 SY ECDC-SMC Snack Menu
• 23-24 SY ECDC-SMC Lunch Menu

Breakfast
ECDC provides an optional healthy breakfast consisting of cereal, milk, and fruit. ECDC serves breakfast between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Snacks
ECDC provides a healthy morning snack at approximately 10:00am and in the afternoon snack is served at approximately 3:00pm. Water is served for snack along with a wide variety of crackers, bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, and cheese. Milk is served occasionally for afternoon snack.

Lunch
The ECDC food program is licensed by the State of Indiana and is catered by the University of Notre Dame Food Service Program. Each lunch consists of a main dish, salad, vegetable, bread and butter, and a piece of fresh fruit (apple, oranges, bananas, or pears). Multicultural lunch entrees, such as Chicken Stir Fry, Beef Tacos, Sweet and Sour Chicken, and Chicken Fajitas, are served at least once per week.

Vegetarian Entrée
ECDC offers a vegetarian entrée each day (e.g., garden chicken grill patty, homemade baked vegetarian manicotti, vegetarian sloppy joe, etc.). If you would like your child to eat the vegetarian entree, please indicate such on your child’s General Information form. A child will receive the vegetarian entrée until a parent informs ECDC otherwise.

Food Allergies/Sensitivities
If your child has food allergies or sensitivities, please note these on the Emergency Health Plan and have the form signed by your child’s doctor. Please also contact the ECDC office to make an appointment to discuss alternate food options for your child and to review menus.

Food Substitutions or Supplements Provided by Families
Occasionally, parents will need to provide food substitutions for certain items on the ECDC menu if their child has food allergies or sensitivities.  Families also on occasion request to supplement meals and/or snacks with additional foods. If your child requires food substitutions or supplements for meals or snacks due to medical or religious reasons, please speak with the ECDC Program Director.

Celebrating Birthdays/Special Treats for Children

Birthdays are a special time in a child’s life and we know how much they look forward to celebrating this time with their friends. The children and teachers at ECDC enjoy being part of this celebration. The teachers and program staff will plan and provide a special healthy snack for each child’s birthday. If you have any questions please speak with one of the lead teachers or a Program Director. Thank you!