(1) A nutrition service provider shall:

(a) accept and use any United States department of agriculture food made available to it;

(b) assure arrangement for the appropriate transportation, storage and use of the food;

(c) assist older persons to take advantage of benefits available to them under the food stamp program;

(d) coordinate its activities with agencies responsible for administering the food stamp program;

(e) comply with all state and local sanitation and safety regulations applicable to food preparation, delivery, and serving; and

(f) provide persons with nutrition education information that promotes improved food selection, better eating habits and other health and nutrition related practices.

(2) If a nutrition service provider receives United States department of agriculture cash, the cash shall be spent only for buying food.

(3) Special meals for any persons who have health, religious or ethnic dietary needs shall be provided by the nutrition service provider unless the department exempts the provider from this requirement. Such exemption may be granted only when the foods and skills to provide a special diet are unavailable to the provider.