Minimum standards for food and nutrition

A provider shall serve children nutritious meals or snacks according to the following requirements: 1. When the provider is responsible for providing food to children, the food supplied must meet United States department of agriculture standards and must be properly prepared, sufficient in amount, nutritious, varied according to the diets of the children enrolled, and served at appropriate hours in a sanitary manner. 2. When parents bring sack lunches for their children, the provider shall supplement lunches, as necessary, to provide nutritious and sufficient amounts of food for children, and shall provide adequate and appropriate refrigeration and storage as required. 3. When a child is in care for more than three hours, that child shall receive either a snack or a meal, whichever is appropriate to that time of day. 4. Children in care during any normal mealtime hour must be served nutritious food appropriate to that time of day. 5. Children in care after school shall be provided with a snack. 6. Information provided by the childrens parents regarding special diets, allergies, or other dietary conditions shall be adhered to in the feeding schedule and planning of menus. 7. The provider shall serve snacks and meals to children in a manner commensurate with their development, using appropriate foods, portions, dishes, and eating utensils. 8. The provider or staff member may encourage children to eat the food served, but the provider or staff member may not coerce or force-feed children. 9. The provider shall post a daily or weekly menu for meals and snacks.