SECTION 744.2401. What are the basic requirements for meal and snack times?

(a) You must serve all children regular meals and morning and afternoon snacks as specified in this subchapter.

(b) The meals and snacks must follow the meal patterns established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) that is administered by the Texas Department of Agriculture. You must follow these patterns regardless of whether you are participating in the program for reimbursement.

(c) If you serve breakfast, you do not have to serve a morning snack.

(d) A child must not go more than three hours without a meal or snack being offered unless the child is sleeping.

(e) You must serve enough food to allow a child to have a second serving from the vegetable, fruit, grain, and milk groups if the child requests it.

(f) You must ensure a supply of clean, sanitary drinking water:

(1) Is readily available to each child at every snack, mealtime, and during and after active play; and

(2) Is served in a safe and sanitary manner.

(g) You must not serve beverages with added sugars, such as carbonated beverages, fruit punch, or sweetened milk, unless otherwise allowed by the CACFP.

(h) You must not use food as a reward.

(i) You must not serve a child a food identified on the child's food allergy emergency plan as specified in §744.2667 of this chapter (relating to What is a food allergy emergency plan?).

Source Note: The provisions of this §744.2401 adopted to be effective September 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 7469; amended to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6225; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909; amended to be effective March 10, 2021, 46 TexReg 1473; amended to be effective March 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 921