1. A. A licensee shall:

   1. 1. Make breakfast available to an enrolled child who is present at a facility before 8:00 a.m.,
   2. 2. Serve lunch to an enrolled child who is present at a facility between 11:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m., and
   3. 3. Serve dinner to an enrolled child who is present from 5:00 p.m. through 7:00 p.m. and who will remain at the facility after 7:00 p.m.

2. B. A licensee shall serve the following meals or snacks to an enrolled child present at a facility if an enrolled child is present:

   1. 1. For two to four hours, one or more snacks;
   2. 2. During any of the meal times stated in subsection (A), a meal that meets the meal pattern requirements in subsection (C);
   3. 3. For four to eight hours, one or more snacks and a meal;
   4. 4. For nine or more hours, two snacks and one or more meals; and
   5. 5. Before bedtime, one snack.
3. C. If a licensee provides food, a licensee shall prepare and serve food according to the meal pattern requirements found in Table 5.1, “Meal Pattern Requirements for Children.”
4. D. If an enrolled child’s parent provides food for the parent’s enrolled child, the licensee shall provide milk or juice to the enrolled child if not provided by the parent.

5. E. If a licensee plans and serves meals, the licensee shall ensure that the meals:

   1. 1. Meet the age-appropriate nutritional requirements of an enrolled child; and
   2. 2. For each calendar week, provide a variety of foods within each food group from the meal pattern requirements.
6. F. If a licensee provides food, the licensee shall maintain on the facility premises at least a one day supply of food needed to provide the meals and snacks required by subsections (B) and (C) to each enrolled child attending the facility.

7. G. In addition to the required daily servings of food stated in subsection (C), a licensee:

   1. 1. Shall make second servings of food available to each enrolled child at meals and at snack time,
   2. 2. May substitute a food that is equivalent to a specific food component if second servings of the specific food component are not available, and
   3. 3. Shall ensure that a food substitution in subsection (G)(2) is written on the posted weekly menu by the end of the meal or snack service.
8. 2. Vegetables
9. 2. Vegetables

Table 5.1 Meal Pattern Requirements for Children

1 Meat and meat alternates may be used to substitute the entire grains component a maximum of three times per week. Oz eq = ounce equivalents

* In the same meal service, dried beans or dried peas may be used as a meat alternate or as a vegetable; however, such use does not satisfy the requirement for both components.

** At lunch and dinner, no more than 50% of the requirement shall be met with nuts, seeds, or nut butters. Nuts, seeds, or nut butters shall be combined with another meat or meat alternative to fulfill the requirement. Two tablespoons of nut butter or one ounce of nuts or seeds equals one ounce of meat.

*** Juice may not be served when milk is served as the only other component.

Historical Note

Table 5.1 made by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 1564, effective September 30, 2010 (Supp. 10-3). Table 5.1 amended by final expedited rulemaking at 24 A.A.R. 3429, effective December 5, 2018 (Supp. 18-4). Table 5.1 amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 2015 (June 27, 2025), effective August 3, 2025 (Supp. 25-2).

Historical Note

Adopted effective December 12, 1986 (Supp. 86-6). Section repealed; new Section adopted effective October 17, 1997 (Supp. 97-4). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 16 A.A.R. 1564, effective September 30, 2010 (Supp. 10-3). Amended by final rulemaking at 31 A.A.R. 2015 (June 27, 2025), effective August 3, 2025 (Supp. 25-2).