Healthy Catering for Schools & Daycares
Fresh Meals for Happy, Growing Kids
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HappyTummies Kids Catering Jolly Inn 

Fresh, Chef-Prepared Meals for Daycares & Schools

Nutritious, kid-approved meals and catering for kids in Chicago, prepared in a licensed kitchen and delivered reliably.

We are a Chicago-based meal service specializing in fresh, chef-prepared meals for daycare centers, preschools, and schools. Our catering for kids in Chicago makes it easier for childcare providers and schools to offer fresh, nutritious meals without the stress of cooking onsite.

We help childcare providers serve nutritious, dependable meals while staying mindful of budgets, nutrition guidelines, and children’s taste preferences. Our kids catering in Chicago provides convenient meal solutions designed to fit the needs of busy childcare and educational facilities.

All meals are prepared in our fully licensed and insured commercial kitchen by experienced culinary professionals. We focus on delivering consistent quality, dependable service, and meals that children will enjoy.

Jolly Inn Meal Programs are backed by the team behind Jolly Inn, Gala Banquets, and Stardust Banquets trusted Chicago food establishments with years of experience preparing high-volume meals safely and consistently.

That experience allows us to deliver:

  • Reliable food safety standards
  • Consistent portioning
  • On-time delivery
  • Menus children actually enjoy
Fresh, balanced, and CACFP-aligned options for every part of the day

What We Serve

Breakfast

Our breakfast options are designed to meet CACFP guidelines while providing a balanced and gentle start to the day. Meals include the right combination of grains, fruit, and milk, with age-appropriate portions and familiar flavors that children enjoy.

Lunch

Lunches are complete, chef-prepared meals that follow CACFP meal patterns and include protein, grains, vegetables, fruit, and milk. We focus on fresh ingredients, moderate sodium, and limited added sugar, creating balanced meals that are both nutritious and appealing to children.

Snacks

Our snacks are simple, CACFP-compliant combinations that help maintain energy throughout the day. Each option is thoughtfully prepared, easy to serve, and portioned appropriately for young children, with a focus on taste and nutrition.

Daily Meals with Care

A Smooth, Simple Process You Can Count On

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Consultation

We begin with a brief conversation to understand your program, including:
- Number of children or participants
- Age groups served
- Meals needed (breakfast, lunch, snacks)
- Dietary needs and preferences
- Budget considerations

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Menu Planning

Based on your needs, we create a customized menu together
- Aligns with CACFP meal pattern guidelines (for childcare programs)
- Uses age-appropriate portions
- Considers allergies and special diets (with advance notice)
- Reflects familiar, well-liked flavors
Menus are flexible and can be adjusted as your program evolves

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Fresh Preparation

All meals are freshly prepared in our fully licensed and insured commercial kitchen by experienced culinary professionals
- We follow strict food safety and quality standards to ensure:
- Consistent portions
- Reliable quality
- Safe handling and preparation

Young children enjoying delivered meals at a daycare table

Reliable Delivery

Meals are delivered on time and ready to serve, packaged for easy handling by your staff. We focus on:
- Dependable delivery schedules
- Clear communication
- Consistency you can count on

Flexible Pricing Built Around Your Program

PRICING PHILOSOPHY

We understand that no two childcare or care programs are the same. Our pricing is customized to reflect your specific needs,
ensuring you receive high-quality meals at a fair and sustainable cost. Pricing is based on:

  • Number of children or participants served
  • Meals provided (breakfast, lunch, snacks)
  • Age groups and portion requirements
  • Menu selections and dietary considerations

Our goal is to offer fresh, chef-prepared meals that fit within your budget, without long-term commitments or unnecessary extras. We believe in clear communication and straightforward pricing:

  • No hidden fees
  • No one-size-fits-all packages
  • Flexible adjustments as your enrollment changes

You’ll always know what to expect. Let’s build a program that works for you. The best way to provide accurate pricing is through a quick conversation.

The best way to provide accurate pricing is through a quick conversion.

Making mealtime easier with reliable service you can trust

A Partner You Can Rely On

Choosing a meal provider for your childcare program is about more than just food it’s about trust, reliability, and having a partner who understands your day-to-day needs. We work closely with every center to provide a smooth, dependable experience from planning to delivery. We pride ourselves on being:

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Responsive

We communicate quickly and keep you informed every step of the way.

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Flexible

HappyTummies adapts to your changing enrollment, schedules, and dietary needs.

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Consistent

You can count on the same quality, portions, and timing every day.

Daycare teacher serving toddlers fresh fruit and vegetables at a small table

Easy to work with

We keep everything simple, clear, and stress-free for your team.

A THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO CHILDCARE NUTRITION

Our Mission

To provide fresh, nutritious, and affordable meals that support children’s growth while making life easier for childcare providers. We believe food should be:

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Wholesome

Made with quality ingredients to support healthy development.

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Familiar

Our goal is to offer fresh, chef-prepared meals that fit within your budget.
Grilled chicken salad with avocado, cherry tomatoes and pomegranate seeds

Balanced

Thoughtfully prepared to include the nutrients kids need.
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Enjoyable

Because children eat better when meals taste good.

Because children eat better when meals taste good.

What Is CACFP?

CACFP-Friendly Meals & Thoughtful Nutrition

Supporting childcare centers with nutritious, age-appropriate meals that align with CACFP meal pattern guidelines. What Is CACFP? The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) is a federally funded program that helps childcare centers serve nutritious meals and snacks while receiving reimbursement. Jolly Inn Kids helps design menus that support CACFP meal pattern requirements while keeping meals appealing and easy to serve.

How We Support CACFP Compliance

We Help With:

  • CACFP-friendly menu planning
  • Age-appropriate portion guidance
  • Required meal components (grains, protein, fruits, vegetables, milk)
  • Clear menu documentation
  • Consistent portions

***Final CACFP administration and claims remain the responsibility of the childcare center.

Nutrition
Philosophy

Our Approach:

  • Fresh, chef-prepared meals (not ultra-processed)
  • Limited added sugar
  • Moderate sodium
  • Balanced meals kids actually eat
  • Cultural and familiar flavors

We believe healthy meals should be both nutritious and enjoyable especially for young children.

Allergies & Special Dietary Needs

We Can Accommodate:

  • Common allergies (with advance notice)
  • Vegetarian options
  • Cultural preferences
  • Ingredient transparency

Centers remain responsible for final allergy management and parent communication.

Testimonials

What People Say About Us

We were looking for a catering partner that could provide fresh meals, dependable service, and a strong understanding of childcare needs, and HappyTummies has delivered on all three. Their meals are appealing, portioned well for children, and prepared with care. We are very happy with the partnership.
Ann P.
We have been very pleased with the quality and consistency of service from HappyTummies. The meals are always fresh, well-prepared, and appropriate for young children. It gives us peace of mind knowing that our students are receiving nutritious food from a team that clearly understands the needs of childcare centers.
Simon B.
HappyTummies has made meal service much easier for our center. Their menu options are thoughtful, child-friendly, and balanced, and the food arrives reliably and professionally prepared. We truly appreciate working with a company that values both nutrition and convenience.
Ryan L.
What stands out most about HappyTummies is their professionalism and attention to detail. From communication to delivery to meal quality, everything has been dependable and well organized. Their team understands the importance of serving food that children will actually enjoy while still meeting high standards.
Adrian T.