N.M. Admin. Code § 8.2.2.18

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 8.2.2.18 - REQUIREMENTS FOR MEALS

A. Each meal served in the program shall comply with USDA meal patterns as outlined in federal regulations 7 CFR Part 226.20 and with the CYFD creditable foods list.

(1) Non-creditable foods shall not be used to meet the meal pattern component requirement. Some foods which are non-creditable include but are not limited to: hot dogs, doughnuts, and processed lunch meats that do not appear in the USDA food buying guide or do not have a child nutrition (CN) label. All items which are listed as "not reimbursable" or "not allowable" on the non creditable list supplied by CYFD are not reimbursable, and their purchase price is subtracted from total food costs by CYFD review staff during program and other on site reviews.

(2) Infants shall be provided meals which follow USDA meal pattern for infants. The provider/center is responsible for providing one milk or soy-based house formula only. The parent shall be notified in writing of the availability of this formula. If the parent elects to have the center/provider use a different formula which the parent provides, the infant may still be claimed for reimbursement. Care givers may not deviate from the infant meal pattern without a doctor's written statement which specifies what foods to allow or not allow for the individual infant.

B. Special dietary needs and requirements of children shall be met. Special dietary needs include, but are not limited to, diabetic diets, high calorie, lower calorie, mechanically altered, and substitutions for food allergies or intolerance. Special dietary needs shall be expressed in an order from a medical authority which specifies any texture modifications, foods to be eliminated and which foods to substitute for the eliminated food, and other diet modifications. They do not include enteral or parenteral formulas which may be covered by medical insurance or medicare/medicaid.

C. Child nutrition ("CN") labeled products are not required for CACFP programs, and do not necessarily meet the meal requirements for CYFD's creditable foods list. Combination food items purchased which do not have a CN label must have a product analysis sheet from the manufacturer.

D. Family style meal service ("FSMS") or a modified version thereof, where all required components of the meal are placed on the table at the start of the meal and children are encouraged to take a portion from each meal component, is required at all participating centers and homes, unless there is a documented reason why FSMS cannot be implemented.

E. Institutions, with the exception of family day care homes, shall document on a daily basis the type and production elements of meals served in the menu record book which is provided by CYFD at the time of program approval.

(1) Family day care home providers document on a daily basis the types and number of meals served to enrolled children on an approved attendance sheet.

(2) Meals served by family day care home providers, including components, are recorded on the menu records which are approved by CYFD and provided by the sponsoring organization.

(3) Family day care home providers are not required to document quantities served, but are required to offer at least the minimum required portion size of each component for each meal.

(4) Family day care home providers are required to specify the times when approved meals are regularly served. Meal service is required to begin within fifteen minutes before or after the specified meal times as documented on the provider-sponsor agreement.

N.M. Admin. Code § 8.2.2.18

8.2.2.18 NMAC - Rp, 8.2.2.18 NMAC, 06-15-09