Child Nutrition
OFFICE STAFF
Jeff Wolfer
Supervisor
651-403-7321 | jeffrey.wolfer@isd197.org
Kelly Wegener
Administrative Assistant
651-403-7320 | kelly.wegener@isd197.org
Child Nutrition Resources
- Meal Kit Information
- Menus
- Links & Resources
- Free or Reduced-Price Meals
- Community Resources
- Special Diet Statement
- Local Wellness Policy: Triennial Assessment Report
Meal Kit Information
Please Note: The Wednesday MEAL KIT PICKUP TIME IS 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. We will continue offering ONLY 5-day kits for pickup at all School District 197 schools.
Daily bus stop delivery of student breakfasts and lunches in School District 197 WILL END on FRIDAY, February 19th due to secondary students returning to in-person learning. Thank you to our district Transportation Department for making these daily meal deliveries possible!
If your child needs dietary modified meals for a medical condition, you MUST have a Special Diet Statement from a medical provider on file with your child’s School District 197 school. We are unable to accommodate meal preferences, such as vegan or vegetarian. If you have questions, or require special diet meals, please contact Child Nutrition at 651-403-7320 or kelly.wegener@isd197.org.
You MUST pre-order a meal kit so it will be ready for you at pickup. CLICK THE LINK ABOVE TO ORDER.
5-DAY MEAL KIT = 5 Breakfasts & 5 lunches
Ordering window
The ordering window will be open every Thursday through Sunday for pickup on the upcoming Wednesday. FAMILIES MUST PREORDER MEAL KITS EVERY WEEK.
You will receive two emails (Mon./Tues.) confirming your order was received and to remind you to pick up the meals.
Meal Kit Pickup
Meal kits must be picked up every Wednesday between 9 a.m. and 11:30 p.m. YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ORDER PICKUP MEAL KITS IF YOU DID NOT PRE-ORDER.
Menus
Links & Resources
Free or Reduced-Price Meals
To apply for free or reduced-price school meals, fill out an application online or download and print an Application for Educational Benefits in English or Spanish.
Applications for the new school year are available August 1. Families must complete a new form each year. Please ensure you are filling out the current year's form for District 197 or it will not be accepted.
The Application for Educational Benefits is also used to determine funding for other important educational programs in the District, so please be sure to complete one each year.
Paper applications can also be obtained at each main school office or at the District Office, 1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights.
All students eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals are eligible to receive both breakfast and lunch at no charge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can get free or reduced-price meals?
Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster, homeless, migrant, and runaway children can get free school meals without reporting household income. Also, children can get free meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for the household size on the instructions.
I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get free school meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free meals, but will not qualify automatically. Please fill out an application.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for your children to qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally get or the average of your last three paychecks. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.
Will the information I give be checked?
Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.
How will the information be kept?
Information you provide on the form, and your child’s approval status for school meal benefits, will be protected as private data. For more information see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits.
How long does it take for the Child Nutrition Office to process an application?
Applications are processed within 10 business days and families are notified if they are approved or not approved. The Child Nutrition Office encourages families to complete the online application (versus paper) for the shortest processing time.
Note: Families who qualified for free meals in District 197 during the last school year will retain their benefits until mid-October of the following year. Parents and guardians should still complete a new form as soon as possible after August 1, but don't need to be concerned if they don't hear from the Child Nutrition Office before the start of the year.
If I don't qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes. Please complete an application at any time if your income goes down, your household size goes up, or you start getting SNAP, MFIP or FDPIR benefits.
Other things to note about the application:
- Please provide the information requested about children's racial identity and ethnicity, which helps to make sure we are fully serving our community. This information is not required for approval of school meal benefits, however.
- The form asks for the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the person who is signing the application, but it is not required. If the signer does not have a Social Security Number, simply check the box on the form that says they do not have one.
- Forms must be for the current school year and for the school district in which the child is enrolled. Old forms and forms from other districts will not be accepted in District 197.
If you have other questions or need help, please call the Child Nutrition Department at 651-403-7320.
Community Resources
Special Diet Statement
School Food Authorities (SFAs) must make reasonable substitutions to meals on a case-by-case basis for children who are considered to have a disability that restricts their diet [7 CFR 210.10(m)]. According to the ADA Amendments Act, most physical and mental impairments will constitute a disability.
SFAs are not required to accommodate special dietary requests that do not constitute a disability, including requests related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference. If these requests are accommodated, SFAs must ensure all USDA meal pattern and nutrient requirements are met.
STEPS FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING A FORM:
1. Download a Special Diet Statement form (below) and have it completed and signed by a medical professional (e.g. a licensed physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner.) prior to receiving dietary accommodation. Signed documentation from a medical professional, on medical facility letterhead, outlining dietary accommodations is also acceptable.
2. Submit a completed form to the health office at your child's school.
3. The school nurse will review the documentation and may contact parent, medical professional, and/or Child Nutrition with questions.
4. The school nurse will inform the kitchen manager and child’s teacher about the special diet request, along with directions for the diet, as needed.
Parent/guardian is responsible for providing a new special diet statement if there are any updates or changes to the current dietary form on file. It is not necessary to provide a new special diet statement every school year if there are no dietary changes. Any medications involved with allergies require an annual medical doctor’s signature.
In the case of food allergies or diabetes, parents/guardians may also want to notify their child’s teacher, school age care staff and others who should know to ensure child’s safety during school and school-sponsored activities.
Note: Parents may provide a written request for lactose-reduced milk if their child is lactose intolerant without a physician’s signature.
Special Diet Statement
Declaración de dieta especial
Local Wellness Policy: Triennial Assessment Report
The School District 197 Child Nutrition Department is committed to providing nutritious, high-quality meals that appeal to children, help them stay healthy, and give them the energy they need to be successful in the classroom.
All School District 197 schools participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
During the 2020-2021 school year, all student breakfasts and lunches are FREE.