To learn about the national child care funding in Canada, please click here.
Kids & Company Blog
The Powerful Potato!
Potatoes have a bad reputation because of their starch content and association with fast food but potatoes are a staple in many different diets and are an important food source. Potatoes are named the world’s 4th largest crop behind rice and wheat! Potatoes are a tuber meaning they grow underground and have sprouts in more than one spot on their body. Wild potatoes are native to the Americas and were only introduced to other parts of the world about 400-500 years ago!
The English word “Potato” stems from the Spanish word “batata”. Potato plants grow to be about 12 – 18 inches in height and stem in all directions underground. They typically grow to be round or oval in shape but vary in their size. In the United States there are over 600 varieties of potatoes which separate into 7 categories. These categories include: russet, white, red, yellow, purple, fingerling and petite potatoes. With all these options it can get overwhelming, so how can you ensure to pick the best potatoes? When buying potatoes, it is best to buy them individually, so you can inspect them for damage. They should be firm to the touch and relatively smooth without any green colouring. If you want to avoid inspecting grocery store potatoes you can grow them yourself! Potatoes thrive in cooler climates so to learn more about growing your own potatoes check out this link: https://www.almanac.com/plant/potatoes
Once you have your ideal potatoes it is best to store them in a dark and dry place between 7-10ºC. These storing conditions will give you the best potato quality – if you cannot store the potatoes at this temperature just try to keep them dry and in a dark cupboard, in a paper bag if possible. If you store your potatoes properly they can last up to two months (if you can go that long without eating them!).

Now, for all you potato lovers out there, you will be delighted to learn about their nutritional components that benefit immunity, skin health, and digestion! A lot of the potatoes nutrients are held in the skin so make sure you are eating all parts of the potato to get the maximum benefits! Potatoes provide one of the best carbohydrate, potassium and energy content that help you perform at your best! They are more energy-packed than many other popular vegetables and have more potassium than a banana! Potatoes also hold adequate amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B6, fiber, iron, copper, we could go on and on! The only vitamins potatoes do not contain are vitamin A and D. It has been said that humans can live off just potatoes and milk and still receive all essential vitamins!
BBQing is a Canadian year-round favourite pastime and the perfect side dish is homemade baked “fries”! These fries are the best addition to homemade burgers, BBQ chicken or veggies!

First, start with cutting your potatoes length wise and soaking them in cold water – this will soak up some starch, cut down the cooking time and allow for a crisper potato! Once you have soaked your potatoes (for as long as you can) coat them in olive oil and a little sea salt. Once they are marinated, spread them out on a baking pan and bake them for 30-45 minutes depending on how crispy you like them! Then take out and serve. You can also add toppings to change the flare of the potatoes. These toppings might be rosemary and a little parmesan or sprinkled chili powder to add a little heat!
This month the Kidco Kitchen’s nutrition curriculum is focused on plump potatoes. We believe nutrition education is integral to children continuing on a path of healthy eating throughout life. Our curriculum focuses on three main areas: where food comes from, exploring foods through the senses and how food affects our bodies. By educating children on the basics of food nutrition, it empowers them to make healthy food choices beginning at a young age. Make sure you ask your kiddies weekly about what they are learning!

Many people neglect the fact that potatoes are a powerhouse vegetable (if properly prepared!). But as we have learned potatoes provide us with multiple benefits and can be prepared in a variety of ways. So, with that being said go pick some good-looking potatoes and get creative!
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @kidcochildcare and on Instagram @cheflisaruscica!
Cheers,
Chef Lisa Ruscica
Chief Food Ambassador
Posted on: Wednesday January 9th, 2019
Posted by: Lisa Ruscica
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Edmonton
Cochrane
Red Deer
Calgary
Calgary
Okotoks
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Edmonton
St. Albert
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
St. Albert
Edmonton
Edmonton
Sylvan Lake
Edmonton
Sherwood Park
Edmonton
Calgary
Kamloops
Langley
Langley
New Westminster
North Vancouver
Richmond
Vancouver
Victoria
Victoria
Port Moody
Surrey
Surrey
Surrey
North Vancouver
Nanaimo
Surrey
Coquitlam
Burnaby
Port Coquitlam
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Schaumburg
Chicago
Winnipeg
Abington
Canton
Quincy
West Quincy
Braintree
Braintree
Walpole
Walpole
Brighton
Brookline
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain
Cambridge
Needham
Newton Highlands
Newton
Cambridge
Boston
St. Peters
Lake St. Louis
Troy
O'Fallon
Howell Township
Freehold Township
Manalapan Township
Bedford
Dartmouth
Halifax
Bedford
Hammonds Plains
Lower Sackville
Eastern Passage
Aurora
Burlington
Burlington
Etobicoke
Etobicoke
Hamilton
London
Milton
Mississauga
Niagara Falls
Ottawa
Richmond Hill - Corporate office (No child care services)
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Waterloo
Kanata
Oakville
Oakville
Toronto
Whitby
Toronto
Mississauga
Ottawa
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Brampton
Stoney Creek
Toronto
Nepean
Burlington
Burlington
Oakville
Waterdown
Oakville
Pittston
Wilkes-Barre
Exeter
Old Forge
Wilkes-Barre
Dover
Harrisburg
Harrisburg
Harrisburg
Hummelstown
Palmyra
York
York
Abington
Aurora
Bedford (Dellridge Lane)
Larry Uteck (Southgate Dr)
Pine Village South End, by Kids & Company
Braintree 1
Braintree 2
Brampton
Pine Village Brighton, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Brookline, by Kids & Company
Burlington Children’s Centre
Burloak
Appleby
Beacon Hill
Brightstart Burnaby, by Kids & Company
Bow Trail
Eau Claire
Livingston
Midlake
Millrise
Royal Oak
Smart Tech
Britannia Crossing
Marda Loop
Evanston
Beltline
Aviation Crossing
Gulf Canada Square
Royal Oak Out of School Care
Pine Village Kendall Square, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Porter Square, by Kids & Company
Canton
Jackson
Lincoln Park
Harrison
West Loop
South Loop
Fulton
Cochrane
Brightstart Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Dartmouth
Dover
Eastern Passage
Ellerslie
Edmonton Ice District
Baturyn
Diamond
Friendly Frog
Meadowlark Park
St. Charles
St. Dominic
Sunshine Factory
Tender Heart
Tamarack
Jagare Ridge
Horse Hill
Fraser
Islington
Etobicoke (Bloor & Islington)
ABC Kiddie Kampus Exeter, by Kids & Company
Apple Hill Academy Freehold by Kids & Company
Halifax
Hamilton
Hammonds Plains
Route 39
Schaffner
Swatara
Apple Hill Academy Howell by Kids & Company
Hummelstown
Pine Village JP Revere, by Kids & Company
Pine Village JP South Street, by Kids & Company
Kamloops
Eagleson (South Kanata)
Tyke Town Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
Kids World
Langley (200th St.)
London Richmond
Sackville
Apple Hill Academy Manalapan by Kids & Company
Milton
Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga Gateway Centre
Nanaimo
Pine Village Needham, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Barrhaven
New Westminster
Pine Village West Newton, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Newton Highlands, by Kids & Company
Niagara Queen
North Vancouver
North Van Esplanade
O’Fallon South
Oakville Cornwall
Oakville Dundas
Joshua Creek
Oakville West (3471 Wyecroft Rd)
Okotoks
ABC Kiddie Kampus Old Forge, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Albert
Ottawa Westboro
Palmyra
ABC Kiddie Kampus Pittston, by Kids & Company
Brightstart Port Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Port Moody
Marina Bay
Red Deer
Richmond
Head Office
Schaumburg
Sherwood Park
St. Albert North
St. Albert Grandin
Tyke Town St. Peters, by Kids & Company
Stoney Creek
Morgan Crossing
Surrey Professional Centre
King George
Brightstart Cloverdale, by Kids & Company
Sylvan Lake
Bloor Christie
Bloor (Bloor St. East)
Consumers
Finch
Front
Wellington
Scotia Plaza
Stock Yards
St. Andrew’s Church
Liberty Village
Rosedale
Queen West
Tyke Town Troy, by Kids & Company
Vancouver West
Langford
Victoria
Walpole South
Walpole North
Waterdown
Tech Town
West Quincy
Whitby
ABC Kiddie Kampus East Mountain, by Kids & Company
ABC Kiddie Kampus King’s College, by Kids & Company
Winnipeg
West York
Queen Street
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Edmonton
Cochrane
Red Deer
Calgary
Calgary
Okotoks
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Calgary
Edmonton
St. Albert
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton
St. Albert
Edmonton
Edmonton
Sylvan Lake
Edmonton
Sherwood Park
Edmonton
Calgary
Kamloops
Langley
Langley
New Westminster
North Vancouver
Richmond
Vancouver
Victoria
Victoria
Port Moody
Surrey
Surrey
Surrey
North Vancouver
Nanaimo
Surrey
Coquitlam
Burnaby
Port Coquitlam
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Chicago
Schaumburg
Chicago
Winnipeg
Abington
Canton
Quincy
West Quincy
Braintree
Braintree
Walpole
Walpole
Brighton
Brookline
Jamaica Plain
Jamaica Plain
Cambridge
Needham
Newton Highlands
Newton
Cambridge
Boston
St. Peters
Lake St. Louis
Troy
O'Fallon
Howell Township
Freehold Township
Manalapan Township
Bedford
Dartmouth
Halifax
Bedford
Hammonds Plains
Lower Sackville
Eastern Passage
Aurora
Burlington
Burlington
Etobicoke
Etobicoke
Hamilton
London
Milton
Mississauga
Niagara Falls
Ottawa
Richmond Hill - Corporate office (No child care services)
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Waterloo
Kanata
Oakville
Oakville
Toronto
Whitby
Toronto
Mississauga
Ottawa
Toronto
Toronto
Toronto
Brampton
Stoney Creek
Toronto
Nepean
Burlington
Burlington
Oakville
Waterdown
Oakville
Pittston
Wilkes-Barre
Exeter
Old Forge
Wilkes-Barre
Dover
Harrisburg
Harrisburg
Harrisburg
Hummelstown
Palmyra
York
York
Abington
Aurora
Bedford (Dellridge Lane)
Larry Uteck (Southgate Dr)
Pine Village South End, by Kids & Company
Braintree 1
Braintree 2
Brampton
Pine Village Brighton, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Brookline, by Kids & Company
Burlington Children’s Centre
Burloak
Appleby
Beacon Hill
Brightstart Burnaby, by Kids & Company
Bow Trail
Eau Claire
Livingston
Midlake
Millrise
Royal Oak
Smart Tech
Britannia Crossing
Marda Loop
Evanston
Beltline
Aviation Crossing
Gulf Canada Square
Royal Oak Out of School Care
Pine Village Kendall Square, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Porter Square, by Kids & Company
Canton
Jackson
Lincoln Park
Harrison
West Loop
South Loop
Fulton
Cochrane
Brightstart Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Dartmouth
Dover
Eastern Passage
Ellerslie
Edmonton Ice District
Baturyn
Diamond
Friendly Frog
Meadowlark Park
St. Charles
St. Dominic
Sunshine Factory
Tender Heart
Tamarack
Jagare Ridge
Horse Hill
Fraser
Islington
Etobicoke (Bloor & Islington)
ABC Kiddie Kampus Exeter, by Kids & Company
Apple Hill Academy Freehold by Kids & Company
Halifax
Hamilton
Hammonds Plains
Route 39
Schaffner
Swatara
Apple Hill Academy Howell by Kids & Company
Hummelstown
Pine Village JP Revere, by Kids & Company
Pine Village JP South Street, by Kids & Company
Kamloops
Eagleson (South Kanata)
Tyke Town Lake St. Louis, by Kids & Company
Kids World
Langley (200th St.)
London Richmond
Sackville
Apple Hill Academy Manalapan by Kids & Company
Milton
Robert Speck Parkway
Mississauga Gateway Centre
Nanaimo
Pine Village Needham, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Barrhaven
New Westminster
Pine Village West Newton, by Kids & Company
Pine Village Newton Highlands, by Kids & Company
Niagara Queen
North Vancouver
North Van Esplanade
O’Fallon South
Oakville Cornwall
Oakville Dundas
Joshua Creek
Oakville West (3471 Wyecroft Rd)
Okotoks
ABC Kiddie Kampus Old Forge, by Kids & Company
Ottawa Albert
Ottawa Westboro
Palmyra
ABC Kiddie Kampus Pittston, by Kids & Company
Brightstart Port Coquitlam, by Kids & Company
Port Moody
Marina Bay
Red Deer
Richmond
Head Office
Schaumburg
Sherwood Park
St. Albert North
St. Albert Grandin
Tyke Town St. Peters, by Kids & Company
Stoney Creek
Morgan Crossing
Surrey Professional Centre
King George
Brightstart Cloverdale, by Kids & Company
Sylvan Lake
Bloor Christie
Bloor (Bloor St. East)
Consumers
Finch
Front
Wellington
Scotia Plaza
Stock Yards
St. Andrew’s Church
Liberty Village
Rosedale
Queen West
Tyke Town Troy, by Kids & Company
Vancouver West
Langford
Victoria
Walpole South
Walpole North
Waterdown
Tech Town
West Quincy
Whitby
ABC Kiddie Kampus East Mountain, by Kids & Company
ABC Kiddie Kampus King’s College, by Kids & Company
Winnipeg
West York
Queen Street