What is changing?
Beginning July 1, 2027, the licensing standards will identify the food groups that must be offered at each meal and snack:
- Breakfast: at least three of the following: milk or milk alternatives, vegetables, fruit, or grains.
- Lunch and dinner: at least four of the following: milk or milk alternatives, meat or meat alternatives, vegetables, fruit, or grains.
- Snacks: at least two of the following: milk or milk alternatives, meat or meat alternatives, vegetables, fruit, or grains.
Meals and snacks may be supplied by either the license holder or parents.
Food, liquids, and bottles brought from home must be labeled with the child’s first and last name. Current requirements only specify the child’s name.
Written instructions for a special diet will be required when the diet is needed for cultural, religious, or medical reasons. The instructions must be written, dated, and signed by the child’s parent.
The current requirement specifically includes infants and toddlers. Beginning July 1, 2027, the revised requirement for flexible feeding schedules specifically applies to infants.
What is staying the same?
Programs must continue to provide children with well-balanced meals and snacks each day. Food and bottles brought from home must continue to be labeled, and flexible feeding schedules will continue to be required for infants.
Review the revised standards
You can read the updated standards related to food and nutrition in family child care programs on the state Revisor’s website. Later this year, the revised statute will be codified as MN Statutes, section 142I.20.
