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
- School Year Menus
- Links & Resources
- Free or Reduced-Price Meals
- Community Resources
- Special Diet Statement
- Local Wellness Policy: Triennial Assessment Report
School Year Menus
Click your school below to find out what is being served for breakfast and lunch this week.
PLEASE NOTE: Food Supply Chain Disruptions and National School Lunch Program
Nationwide there is disruption in the food supply chain that is affecting all aspects of foodservice including but not limited to the school segment. This disruption is a fallout from the current global pandemic. This disruption is a direct result of one or more of the following contributing factors
** Lack of availability of raw ingredients to produce the products
** Labor – there is simply not enough active workforce to produce the food products and to unload incoming raw and finished products.
** Transportation – There are insufficient numbers of drivers to haul the food throughout our nation.
These factors will have an impact on the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs in our district and across America. Our School Nutrition department will be working closely with our food distributor to source healthy menu options that meet the federal guidelines for Child Nutrition Programs. However, all meals served at our district are subject to change based on availability, so we are asking you to keep this in mind when reviewing the on-line menus.
Links & Resources
Free or Reduced-Price Meals
Families must complete a new form each year. Please ensure you are filling out the current year's form for School District 197 or it will not be accepted.
2021-2022 MEAL INFORMATION
The Child Nutrition Department is excited to serve your student(s) and do our best to set them up for learning success by providing them nutritious and delicious school meals.
Due to a federal program waiver, breakfast and lunch will be offered free to ALL students during the 2021-2022 school year. A la carte items are available to purchase in our elementary schools, middle schools, and high school.
Important!
Although meals are free for all students for the 2021-2022 school year, we still request that families complete and submit the Application for Educational Benefits (also known as the “free and reduced-price meal application”). In addition to qualifying families for free meals, this application may also grant students access to reduced or waived technology fees, athletics and activities fees, and more. Educational benefit data also qualifies our school district for additional state funding that is critical to support the needs of students who do not meet performance standards for their grade level.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who should complete this application?
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. Alternatively, children can get free school meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for their household size on the instructions.
I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get free school meals?
Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance do not automatically qualify for free meals. Children may be eligible for free or reduced-price school meals depending on other household financial information. Please fill out an application.
Who should I include as household members?
Include yourself and all other people living in the household, related or not (such as grandparents, other relatives, or friends).
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 complete an application.
What if my income is not always the same? List the amount that you normally get. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get overtime only sometimes. For seasonal work, write in the total annual income.
Will the income information or case number I give be checked? It may be. 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 for meal benefits, will be protected as private data. For more information see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits.
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.
- 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 School 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.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.