I am on the food program and for me in my area, I am only required to offer. If the child refuses, I can still count it.
I don't even need to plate it, I just need to offer.
Not 100% sure how that works when you are just taking the standard meal deductions but I would think it would be the same.
Maybe look on Tom Copeland's blog and see if he has any tips or explanations.
http://www.tomcopelandblog.com/food-...-expenses.html