(a) Meals. Children remaining in the program for over a four-hour period shall be served a meal.
- (1) The program may permit children to provide their own meals.
- (2) If a child fails to bring a meal, the program shall provide one.
- (3) If the program provides meals on a regular basis, the meals shall meet at least one-third of the total daily nutritional requirements.
- (4) Children shall be encouraged, but not forced, to eat.
- (5) The program shall have refrigeration available for all perishable foods and milk at 45 degrees or below. A thermometer shall be in the refrigerator or ice chest.
- (6) If an ice chest is used to refrigerate perishable foods or milk, the requirements contained in (A)-(C) of this paragraph shall be met.
- (A) The food shall be served within four hours and shall not be reserved or re-refrigerated.
- (B) Packaged food shall not be stored in contact with water or undrained ice.
- (C) Wrapped sandwiches shall not be stored in direct contact with ice.
(b) Food service plan. The program shall file with the Department a statement of its food service plan and sample menu which reflects the hours of operation and includes meals if required and snacks if provided.
- (1) Programs that provide food service shall meet the food service requirements contained in 340:110-3-49.6.
- (2) Programs providing limited food service [see definition in 340:110-3-36], including planned educational and learning experiences, are not required to meet the Food Service Requirements contained in 340:110-3-49.6.
- (3) Only non-potentially hazardous food items may be brought from individual homes for consumption by a group or groups of children in a part-day program.
- (4) If potentially hazardous foods [see definition in 340:110-3-36] are prepared, the program shall meet the requirements contained in 340:110-3-49.6(c).
- (5) All potentially hazardous foods shall be prepared and prepackaged in an approved facility meeting Food Service Requirements and transported, stored and served to maintain the safety of the product.
(c) Menu posting. The program shall comply with requirements pertaining to menu posting contained in this subsection.
- (1) Current weekly menus of all foods provided by the program shall be posted at all times so that parents are aware of food being served to their children.
- (2) Menus shall be closely followed, although reasonable substitutions are permissible if posted.