Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
(a)
Policy. The congregate meals project conducts appropriate meal
planning for the congregate meals service and consults with persons competent
in the fields of nutrition, food service, and the needs of older persons.
(b)
Authority. The
authority for this Section is Section 339 of the Older Americans Act of 1965,
as Amended and Section 1321.11 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
(c)
Procedures.
(1) A registered
dietitian (RD) prepares and approves congregate meals project menus and
considers the project participants' special needs when doing so. The RD ensures
each meal served contains at least:
(A)
one-third of the dietary reference intakes as established by the Food and
Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of
Sciences; and
(B) 600 or more
calories. The recommended level is 750 to 850 calories.
(2) Menus are planned on a three or six month
basis with a minimum four- week cycle with seasonal changes based on either
meal pattern plan portions or weekly average nutritional analysis. The RD
reviews menus for minimum nutrient or meal pattern standards, depending on the
chosen menu plan option. Only one method of meal plan option is accepted per
three or six-month period.
(A) Project
participants' optimal nutritional status is maintained through menus that have
moderate fat, salt, and simple sugar levels and are high in fiber.
(B) The Project Menu Plan - Nutrition Program
for the Elderly is submitted quarterly to the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and is
available to the Community Living, Aging and Protective Services (CAP) RD for
review upon request;
(3)
The RD signs menus and posts them at the nutrition site.
(4) Menus reflect:
(A) to the maximum extent practicable,
special diets to meet the participants' medical needs. When special diets are
provided:
(i) a valid written physician's
order is on file for each participant receiving a special diet. The physician's
order indicates whether the participant is restricted to the special diet and
the duration of the special diet. If the participant is consuming a liquid
supplement in addition to a meal, the supplement is not reimbursed through the
Nutrition Services Incentive Program as a separate meal; and
(ii) special diets are planned and prepared
under RD supervision; and
(B) where feasible, religious, ethnic,
cultural, or regional dietary requirements or preferences of a major portion of
the group of participants at a congregate meals site.
(5) Meals are served per the planned menu
unless the RD reviews and approves an appropriate substitution before meals are
served. A complete menu move from one day to another in the same calendar week
does not constitute a substitution. When substitutions are made, the project
maintains and submits to CAP at the end of each month the:
(A) substitution date;
(B) original menu item(s);
(C) substituted menu item(s); and
(D) method of RD confirmation. Confirmation
is accepted by phone, in-person signature, or email.
(6) Menus are based on accurate production
forecasting that does not include a margin for oversized portions or second
helpings. Staff, participants, and volunteers do not take leftover foods from
the kitchen; however, food already on the line or steam table is offered as
second helpings to participants on clean trays. Participants may take the
remainder of their meals from the dining site in their own
containers;
(7) Servings of milk
are included on menus and the serving size is one-half pint equivalent of
fortified whole, skim, or low fat milk or buttermilk. A variety of milks are
provided where feasible.
(8) Menus
may include, where feasible, provisions to celebrate special occasions for
participants, such as birthdays and holidays.
(9) Food items within the meat, vegetable and
fruit, bread, and dessert groups are allowed to vary for the same days of the
week, from week-to-week, to provide a variety of foods and
nutrients.
(d)
Cross references. Refer to Oklahoma Administrative Code
340:105-10-50.1(a)(4)
and (7),
340:105-10-51,
340:105-10-68
through
340:105-10-74,
340:105-10-76
through
340:105-10-80,
and
340:105-10-86.
Added at 11 Ok Reg
673, eff 11-29-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2771, eff 6-13-94; Amended at
15 Ok Reg 249, eff 10-9-97 (emergency); Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1692, eff 5-11-98;
Amended at 19 Ok Reg 1170, eff 5-13-02; Amended at 21 Ok Reg 898, eff 4-26-04;
Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1062, eff 7-15-06; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 1325, eff 6-1-07;
Amended at 25 Ok Reg 1754, eff 6-1-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2221,
eff 7-1-09; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 638, eff
7-1-12
