Hi, the importance of supporting preference is in part to help a child find out about themselves and the world around them.
You need to look at why you would want the children to be able to choose and select their own food - you could look at reasons for the Child's independance, exploration, how to be aware of their own needs, discovery of self - what they like, dislike, have no/little preference for and how that all makes them feel and react ..
How do you think being able to show preference can make them feel - their confidence, self esteem, sense of worth, self, belonging, motivation.
and how would it make you feel in supporting them/allowing them to do it? safeguarding and promoting their development, providing opportunities for learning ..
Preference from wikipedia and freedictionary -
preference, as with other preferences food involves appearance, its taste, colour, shape, texture, smell or other information that may be associated or attached to the food 'Nana likes mints but they make my mouth hot'. Other preferences could be 'I like milk chocolate, my friend prefers dark' - what are the reasons for each person preference and are they as valid as each other.
If a child expressed a preference for wanting or not wanting a food/drink that may endanger their health - an allergy, other medical condition or that went against/complied with the wishes of their family how would/do you explain the why's that are involved to them and how would you invite them to talk about their experiences and share knowledge ..
Have you been able to make an appointment with your assessor to visit during a cookery or snack, meal time?
Hth