(a) Meals. Children remaining in the center over a four-hour period are served a balanced meal that provides at least one-third of their total daily nutritional requirements.
- (1) Food is provided for all children in care. For infants in care or for a child who has a special dietary need, including health or religious restrictions, parents may be requested to supplement the center's food service.
- (2) School-age children may provide their own meals if the requirements contained in this paragraph are met.
- (A) All sack lunches containing perishable foods are refrigerated at 41 degrees F or below, and a thermometer is in the refrigerator or ice chest. If an ice chest is used to refrigerate perishable food or milk:
- (i) the food or milk is served within four hours and is not re-served or re-refrigerated;
- (ii) packaged food is not stored in contact with water or undrained ice;
- (iii) self-wrapped sandwiches are not stored in direct contact with ice; and
- (iv) ice used for refrigeration is not used for any other purpose.
- (B) Additional food is provided to children who bring a lunch that fails to meet at least one-third of their total daily nutritional requirements.
- (C) A meal is provided to a child who fails to bring one.
- (D) Milk is provided for all children.
- (3) Second servings are available for children.
- (4) Children are encouraged, but not forced, to eat.
(b) Food service plan. The center's food service plan and sample menu reflecting the required food service are filed with the Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS).
- (1) When all-day care is provided, a breakfast or morning snack, a noon meal, and an afternoon snack are served to children.
- (2) When evening care is provided, an evening meal and evening snack are served.
- (3) When children remain all night, an evening meal, evening snack, and breakfast are served.
(c) Menu posting. Current weekly menus of food provided by the center are posted at all times.
- (1) A duplicate menu is posted in the kitchen for the cook's use.
- (2) Menus are closely followed, although reasonable substitutions are permissible if posted.
(d) Food storage and preparation.
- (1) Food storage and preparation comply with food service and sanitation requirements in OAC 340:110-3-31.
- (2) Only commercially pre-packaged non-potentially hazardous food items may be brought from individual homes for consumption by a group of children.
(e) Water. Safe drinking water is freely available to children at all times. Children are encouraged to drink water throughout the day.