R510-104-5. General Provisions

(1) Nutritional Requirements:

(a) Food Requirements: AAAs shall ensure that the meals provided through their nutrition projects comply with the DRI Guidelines for Americans. Compliance shall be documented for each meal served by the nutrition provider.

(i) Handbook 8 of USDA (located at http://www.nal.usda.gov/ref/USDApubs/aghandbk.htm#sortnbr)

(ii) Computer analysis based upon an acceptable software program approved by the Division.

(iii) Computation of food values for portions of food commonly used.

(b) Menu Cycles and Analysis:

(i) Nutrition providers shall send an approved copy of the menus to be used to the appropriate nutrition site(s) and to the AAA.

(c) A registered dietitian and/or nutritionist shall sign off on the menus and recipes used under the nutrition programs to ensure meals served meet DRI guidelines.) Any substitutions (deviations) from the approved menu(s) shall be documented and reported by the nutrition project director.

(ii) Service providers contracting with a third party shall stipulate in the contract that menus must be received by the service provider at least one week prior to use for analysis and approval.

(iii) Any substitutions to the original menus must be documented and kept on file. For audit purposes, menus shall be maintained for a minimum of 3 years, or until disposition is authorized by the grantor agency.

(d) Modified Diets:

(i) Modified diets shall be available to program participants. Each project will provide modified menus where the AAA director feels they are feasible and appropriate to meet the particular dietary needs arising from the health requirements, religious requirements, or ethnic backgrounds of eligible individuals. The AAA shall be responsible for the method of obtaining orders for modified diets, maintaining such orders on file and reviewing them.

(e) Utensils for the Blind and Disabled: Upon request, the AAA may provide the appropriate food containers and utensils for the blind and the disabled. The provider is required to submit nutrition program data to the National Aging Program Information System (NAPIS).

(f) A cold "sack lunch" that meets the DRI requirements may be offered to eligible participants.

(g) A written copy of the appeal process shall be made available to those denied this service.