Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-219 - Nutrition; Menus; and Food Service

A. The licensee shall have a written, dated menu of planned meals. The licensee shall:

1. Have the menu either prepared or approved by a registered nutritionist or dietician;

2. Have the menu available at the facility at least one week before meals are served;

3. Post the weekly menu in a location where a child in care may review it; and

4. Keep a copy of the menu and any menu substitutions on file for one year and keep the record in a central location at the Agency or facility.

B. The licensee shall prepare and serve meals in compliance with the written, dated menus.

C. The licensee shall ensure cooking staff have knowledge in how to plan and cook a nutritional meal.

D. The licensee shall develop and follow a specialized menu for a child in care with special nutritional needs. The licensee shall make special menus available to staff, but shall not post special menus in an area that is readily seen by other children in care.

E. Menus shall reflect the religious, ethnic, and cultural differences of children in care.

F. Menus shall reflect nutritional standards including servings of dairy, vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and protein reflecting the latest standards from the United States Department of Agriculture.

G. When developmentally appropriate, a licensee shall allow children to make menu suggestions.

H. The licensee shall provide each child with at least three meals daily and supply snacks in between meal times; between-meal snacks shall not replace regular meals.

I. The licensee shall provide meal portions that are consistent with each child's caloric and metabolic needs.

J. The licensee shall serve a child meals that are the same as those served to staff unless special dietary needs require differences in diet.

K. All meals and between-meal snacks shall consist of foods that are within noted expiration or sell-by dates, and fresh fruits and vegetables that are not bruised, overripe, rotten, or inedible.

L. The licensee shall allow child in care to eat at a reasonable rate. Unless otherwise prescribed in Agency policy, staff shall encourage social interaction and conversation during meals.

M. The licensee shall have potable water available at all times.

N. Direct care staff shall directly supervise a child in care who is involved in food preparation.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-7-219

New Section made by final rulemaking at 29 A.A.R. 2231, effective 11/6/2023.