Sec. 10.12.04.20. Nutrition

A. The center shall ensure that each participant who is present for 4 or more hours is provided with a meal that meets 1/3 of the recommended dietary allowance of the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council.

B. The center shall provide snacks consisting of a nourishing food or beverage, or both, to participants.

C. The minimum number of meals and snacks shall be provided as follows:

Hours at Center	Minimum Meals and Snacks	Proportion of RDA
4-6 hours	1 meal and 1 snack	1/3 plus
7-8 hours	2 meals and 1 snack or 1 meal and 2 snacks	1/2
More than 8 hours	2 meals and 2 snacks	2/3

D. A center may prepare food on-site if the center meets the requirements of COMAR 10.15.03.

E. The center shall ensure that food prepared off-site from the center is prepared in a center which meets the requirements of COMAR 10.15.03.

F. Therapeutic diets approved by a registered and licensed dietitian shall be served only as ordered.

G. Staff shall assist participants who may be unable to feed themselves, in accordance with the ADCAPS.

H. A Registered Dietitian shall perform a nutritional assessment for all participants with a potential, or an actual, nutritional deficit.