New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 18 - DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter II - Regulations of the Department of Social Services
Subchapter L - Homeless Housing And Assistance Program
Part 900 - Shelters For Families With Children
Section 900.17 - Food service

Universal Citation: 18 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 900.17

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

(a) The operator of a shelter for families shall make provision to ensure that residents can conveniently obtain three well-balanced meals daily. Residents may not be charged for these meals.

(b) Meal service may be provided at the facility, or outside the facility, whether directly or through contractual arrangements, or in restaurants through the use of restaurant allowances or voucher arrangements.

(c) On-site meal preparation.

(1) In shelters that prepare meals for residents, food-buying and menu-planning arrangements must be overseen by a staff member, consulting dietician, or volunteer sufficiently knowledgeable in nutrition and dietetics to ensure the planning of well-balanced meals and the purchase, storage and preparation of good quality food and sufficient quantity so that adult and child residents, including pregnant persons and infants, receive at least three nutritional meals and appropriate healthful snacks daily.

(2) Menus shall be planned at least 10 days in advance.

(3) Menus must be maintained for at least two weeks and shall be available for office review.

(4) Shelters that prepare meals for residents shall have kitchens or food preparation and service facilities.

(5) Food preparation, service and storage methods shall protect against contamination and spoilage.

(6) All kitchens or food preparation areas shall be adequately lighted, ventilated, and provided with essential and proper equipment for food storage, refrigeration, freezing, preparation and serving, for the number of residents to be served.

(7) The food service area shall be provided with sufficient and suitable space and equipment to maintain efficient and sanitary operation of all required functions.

(8) All kitchen equipment and surroundings shall be kept clean, and garbage and trash shall be kept in suitably covered containers and removed regularly.

(9) The operator of every shelter for families shall comply with applicable county or local health and fire regulations, codes and ordinances.

(10) The operator of any facility with 40 or more residents shall comply with the New York State Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR, Part 14).

(11) In the event that a facility has been inspected by the State or local health authorities, a record of such inspection shall be kept on file at the facility for review by the office.

(d) Off-site meal preparation.

Off-site food preparation may be permitted consistent with an operational plan approved by the office provided that the operator establishes that the facility at which the meals are prepared complies fully with Part 14 of the New York State Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR, Part 14) and that meals meet the nutritional needs of the residents.

(e) Contracted food services are allowable.

Meals may be purchased from a vendor that complies fully with Part 14 of the New York State Sanitary Code (10 NYCRR, Part 14), consistent with an operational plan approved by the office, provided that such meals meet the nutritional needs of the residents.

(f) Shelters for families must provide refrigeration and cooking equipment to accommodate the feeding of infants and the storage of medication. Formula, milk, baby food and juices for infants must be provided and must be available on a 24-hour basis.

(g) Special medically-prescribed dietary or nutritional needs of any adult or child, and any religious dietary restrictions, must be accommodated regardless of the food-buying and meal-preparation arrangements of the facility.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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