Halal

I have a new 5 year old boy starting next week part time and he only eats meat that is halal. Does anyone have any idea what this is and where I would get it?
Thanks

I would not be providing that--unless that is your personal choice also--just my two cents. Generally speaking you can find indian grocers though

It is meat that has been slaughtered in a particular way that respects the religious views of Muslims. You can get it at special halal butchers and sometimes even in supermarkets depending on where you live (I have seen Halal sections in quite a few supermarkets). HOWEVER...I would not be providing this special food for a dck. I would ask the parents to send his food or just the meat part if that is the only restriction. That is way beyond what is required of you.

If I am not mistaken, Halal is the term used for food that are allowed under Islam dietary guidelines. It has to do with the way the animals are slaughtered, and the types of food they are allowed to eat.
I have seen Halal chicken at Walmart, and I think the Superstore.

Very special dietary items are the responsibility of the parent to provide. This would just be an added cost to your d/c food budget.

It is actually not very special dietary item. It is just the way they slaughter animals in Islam. It could be chicken, beef or lamb. No pork allow at all! And there is no halal pork. And you can find them easily in superstore, Walmart and Asian stores( Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi etc.)

It is actually tastier and you can store them for long time because of the way they slaughter animals.

You can either buy Halal food for all your family so you don't need to shop for 2 different meat or you can ask them to bring his/her foods.

Hope it helps

If you look at the packages of meat at your local supermarket I bet you will see it everywhere. It's right there on the packages and you probably never even noticed before. And I completely agree with mimi. Any specialty foods at my daycare are supposed to be provided by the parents and there is a clause in the contract to cover that. I had a little girl with a nut allergy and I have a little boy with a lactose allergy and this sounds like it falls into the same category.

Because it is a requirement then it is up to the parents to provide. It isn't a case of it would be nice if you would such as some caregivers serve mostly organic but when necessary will buy whatever occassionally rather than go without or have to go to anothe store. By saying you will provide you are commiting to having to shop for special meats, either switching and serving it to your own family always or never serving your family leftovers to the daycare. Never serving pork at all so no ham, bacon, weiners, sausage allowed and no letting any of these foods come in contact with the utensils, counter, etc the child's food is prepared on. There is a lot more to eatiang than just buying the right kind of chicken. It seems a bit odd that the parent didn't go into a lot of detail for you unless you just said ok fine and the parent assumed you understood what all was involved.

I had a Muslim girl last year, however she was not allowed any beef or pork. Her parents were obliged to provide her lunches, when mine were not "okay". we usually know enough ahead of time to warn the parents and they pack a lunch.

It is nothing to be scared of.

Like other posters said - it just means that it is a special way that the animals are killed. They are killed usually by cutting their throats as far as I can recall instead of being shot like other cows would be for regular consumption.

You can buy Halal meat at No Frills. It costs the same as other chicken/beef. No big deal and it tastes the same to me.

As far as dietary restrictions go - that one wouldn't bother me or stress me too much:)

I have a little muslim dcg pt. Like Spixie33 posted, it's not a big deal. On days she is here I serve halal chicken or non meat dish.

I would make sure that you talk to mom and dad about the details of her diet, to get all the facts.
I know you can buy Halal meats at almost every store, but I would go and do a quick price check before agreeing to provide all of her food.
Perhaps they can send any "specialty" foods and you can supplement with whatever you are feeding the other children?

I would not provide it. If its not something we eat as a family then its not something I provide. There is more than just buying the meat to this.
You have use seperate dishes/utensils/storage containers as well as seperate cutting board/counter space and pots and no other meat can touch this meat or it is no longer consider Halal.
I had a family who wanted me to provide care that was kosher. I had to turn them down. We lOVE Bacon around here and PULLED PORK is a family favorite, as well we eat meat and cheese often at the same time ( hello cheeseburgers and meatball subs with cheese) I have no intention of giving those up or changing my kitchen around to statisfy this child's religious needs, and the parents did not want her only eating vegeterian while here. Even if they had agreed to vegeterian only I still would had to keep the meat far away from any food she would have eaten.. Too much of a headache
If you do want to provide care, I would only serve vegeterian meals to this child then you do not have to worry about keeping Halal, but depending on how strict the parents are with this that may not work either.. They may only want Halal meat in the home.

It's funny, but when I shop at the Superstore here in Ontario and I buy a package of chicken for instance and notice the Halal label on it I feel kind of guilty buying it because I feel like I should leave it for the people searching for that kind of food. But sometimes it's on sale, darnit!

Doritosgirl, you are confusing Halal with Kosher. Jews does that. I mean different pots, knife, all utensil even different sink and fridge.

Momof4, you are like me then:) plus to that one I will not buy more then I need if I know they won't restock shelves. I want everyone to benefit that sale. I'm sure there are families who can not pay the full price. Call me silly but this is what I do.:)

The best first step is to speak to the child's parents and get their input...then check out the supply and prices where you usually shop. The preparation does not require any special utensils, but you should avoid all pork products. If the parents and you can work out a happy compromise, all will be well. If, on the other hand, you feel uncomfortable, or the prices of halal are much higher in your neighbourhood, you may have to ask them to bring his meat dishes, or let him go. But, I think you will find that this quickly becomes a non-issue, and your and your new family will get along just fine.

Its actualy more than just the way the animal is killed, it goes in the way it's cooked too, Halal food can not be cooked in an oven or on a stove where pork at all so no ham, bacon, weiners, sausage were was cooked..... I would ask the parent to provide the food!