Quote Originally Posted by Lee-Bee View Post
As easy as it seems to skip out on the meat for a vegetarian child I don't think it is THAT easy. For one the meat is a huge source of protein and if I just cut it out the child is now left with starch and veggies everyday. A vegetarian incorporates other sources of protein in place of meat in their diet to compensate for the lack of meat. In addition a LARGE amount of my meals are made in the crock pot...so even the starch and veggies are soaked in meat juices for hours :-) It's hard to get around the meat when cooked like that!! Obviously the family isn't so hard core vegetarian that their child having meat here is an issue.

I wasn't so much comparing organic to meat/vegetarianism but to point out that a lot of families are comfortable flexing on some issues to keep their child in quality care. Therefore I don't think informing a family that is keen for organic meals will result in pulling a child out of care.

I wouldn't have signed the family on if they wanted to send their own meals to avoid meat. I would possibly (possibly) consider doing it for a family that has been in care for a long time and needed to suddenly change their child's diet for health reasons...but I have no desire to start serving different children, different foods.
My son has been vegetarian for nearly three years and I know first hand how easy it is to make veggie meals. It's not about eliminating meat but replacing it. I understand that if you make everything in the crockpot then this really isn't feasible but it's not impossible just obviously personal preference to what a person wants to do. I cook in bulk and in advance so really it's not a daily issue to cook two meals, and I make veggie meals a number of nights a week for all of us regardless of being veggie or not. What are people thinking saying they are vegetarian but they will eat meat if it means they get a daycare spot. Jeez that's nuts!!