Kidtrition
Healthy Meals & Nutrition Education for Childcare Centers
Our Commitment to Children’s Health
We are dedicated to improving community health through access to good food, nutrition education, and building a strong local food system. Through Kidtrition, we will partner with local childcare centers to combine healthy meals with fun, engaging nutrition education for kids and families.
Partnership with Equiti Foods
We have partnered with Equiti Foods, a local food company with deep experience providing healthy meals through statewide community health initiatives, to bring good food to early childhood education centers.
Equiti Foods will:
Prepare kid-tested, nutritionist-approved, and CACFP-compliant meals
Source ingredients from local farmers
Offer heat-and-serve, family-style meals to simplify mealtimes
Food Equity Collaborative will:
Bring engaging activities and events to centers to help kids and families build lifelong healthy habits together
Connect food and learning, provide practical information about food and nutrition, and help all become more connected to our food system
Why We’re Here
Early childhood is a critical time for building lifelong habits. Research shows that kids who are introduced to healthy foods and nutrition education at a young age are more likely to carry those habits into adulthood, leading to better physical health, improved focus, and reduced risk of chronic disease.
Changes in funding priorities have resulted in the end of similar nutrition education and healthy meal programs. We hope to begin filling the gap.
Childcare providers have told us they want:
Healthier, convenient food options that meet CACFP requirements
Simple solutions that kids actually enjoy eating
Education to strengthen healthy habits in the classroom and at home
Want to help shape Kidtrition?
Support us in developing fun learning activities for kids
We are bringing interactive activities to early care centers to let kids explore new foods, learn how good food helps them grow strong and feel good, connect with local food, and strengthen family engagement around healthy habits.
You can help fuel a healthier future.
Participate in taste testing or learn more about Kidtrition
We are seeking input from childcare providers and children to guide our recipes and educational offerings.
Equiti Foods will provide free meals for taste testing, and your staff and kids can share feedback to help us improve.
We’d love to hear from you.
Tori Wierzchowski
tori@foodequitycollaborative.org
Early Care Centers: Help Inform Program Design
July 2026
Food Equity Collaborative is seeking early care centers to participate in foundational research to guide the design of our nutrition education program. We want to know what you need.
This summer, UNC Master of Public Health students are speaking with educators and surveying families about what nutrition education they would like to see. By participating, you get to inform what we build and bring back to you!
We need your help connecting with your school community, we will handle the rest! We will provide you flyers or messages to send staff and families. We can also come speak to them in person about the opportunity to share their thoughts and ideas. Staff and families who participate will be entered into drawings for gift cards as a thank you for their time.
Any care center in Durham, Chatham, Orange, or Wake County is eligible to participate.
If your center is interested in participating or learning more, please contact Tori at tori@foodequitycollaborative.org
Food Equity Collaborative is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. No goods or services will be provided in exchange for your contribution. Your contribution is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the Charitable Solicitation Licensing Section at 888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State.