Meals and Snacks: All meals and snacks served to

Meals and Snacks: All meals and snacks served to children in a child care center shall comply with the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The types of food, number and size of servings shall be appropriate for the ages and developmental levels of the children in care. The Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs are incorporated by reference and offer a minimum standard by which a facility shall follow. A copy of the Meal Patterns for Children in Child Care Programs is available online at Nutrition Standards for CACFP Meals and Snacks | Food and Nutrition Service. When children bring their own food for meals or snacks to the center, if the food does not meet the nutritional requirements specified above, the center must provide a food substitution necessary to meet the minimum requirements.