Minimum standards for the provision of snacks

1. An operator shall serve a nutritious snack on a regular basis to children in care for more than two and one-half hours. 2. If the operator 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 diets of the children enrolled, and served at appropriate hours. Food that is prepared, served, or stored in a preschool must be treated in a sanitary and safe manner with sanitary and safe equipment. 3. The operator shall serve snacks and meals to children in a manner commensurate with the child's age, using appropriate foods, portions, dishes, and eating utensils. 4. The operator or staff member may encourage children to eat the food served, but the operator or staff member may not coerce or force-feed children.