Specifications include, but are not limited to: 1. Meals Served: Provide nutritious meals to inmates three (3) times per day, seven (7) days per week, three hundred sixty-five (365) days per year and three hundred sixty-six (366) days during leap years. A. Meals shall meet the following standards and guidelines: a) Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC), in particular, Chapter 900, Dept. Order 912-Food Service System. b) Dietary allowances outlined by the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, Food & Nutrition Board. c) Standards for medical diets as designated by the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare (NCCHC). d) American Correctional Association (ACA) standards for food service in Adult and Juvenile Correctional Institutions. e) Arizona Department of Education (ADE), Health and Nutrition Services, Food Service Management Company Guidance Manual for Local Education Agencies. Specifically, 7 CFR Part 3016.36 for the Federal standards governing procurements made by State Agencies, Local Education Agencies and other local program operators. B. A registered dietician directly employed by the Firm must review all menus on an annual basis. The registered dietician must provide an annual statement of nutritional menu adequacy, based on the products and recipes used by Firm. Dietician must provide certification applicable to the State of Arizona. C. A nutritional analysis of each menu based on the standard recipes used by the Firm must be provided by the Firm. D. Firm warrants that all meals provided will be nutritious and served in a manner that makes them wholesome and palatable. Proposed monthly menus by Firm shall be reviewed and approved by the authorized County personnel in advance of implementation. E. No more than thirteen (13) hours shall pass between the evening meal and breakfast served. F. A minimum of two (2) hot meals will be served daily, seven (7) days per week. Fresh vegetables are required at least three (3) times per week. G. Only United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grade acceptable meats, poultry, and vegetables shall be used. Foods shall be wholesome and free from spoilage. H. All beverage products served with meals and snacks shall be FDA-approved and must be served prior to the stated date of expiration, whether container is marked or not. I. No coffee, hot beverages or like beverages will be served. Individual, pre-measured packets of fruitbased, powdered beverage concentrate will be provided when milk is not being served. J. Food containers that are damaged, including cans that are dented, are not acceptable. K. A daily beverage provided with one (1) of the three (3) meals served daily must be fortified with the RDA for vitamin C. L. Food products, including meat items, must meet general inmate acceptance standards of the American Correctional Association (ACA). M. A maximum of six percent (6%) TVP is allowed in meat products. N. Detailed standard recipes for menu items served in portions are required. O. Cakes, biscuits, and pizza slices are to be indicated as cuts from standard sheet pans. 2. Holiday Meals: A minimum of twelve (12) nationally recognized holiday meals shall be provided annually at contract rates. These Holidays include, but are not limited to: ▪ Thanksgiving ▪ Christmas ▪ Independence Day ▪ Discretion of authorized County personnel with one-month notice to Firm. 3. Restricted Medical Diets: Firm shall be required to provide all restricted medical diets approved by the County’s authorized inmate medical examiner. A. Upon request the Firm will provide special meals for medical (as ordered by physician) reasons, i.e., diabetes, ulcers, renal failure, or pregnancy with extending health situation. The County will give advanced notice for any special meals. B. The Firm shall serve all restricted diets ordered in compliance with Department policies. C. Firm will not charge any additional cost for special meals.
