Child Nutrition

OFFICE STAFF

Jeff Wolfer
Supervisor
P: 651-403-7321
F: 651-403-7304 | jeffrey.wolfer@isd197.org

Kelly Wegener
Administrative Assistant
P: 651-403-7320
F: 651-403-7304 | kelly.wegener@isd197.or g

Recent legislation has passed the Free School Meals bill into law. This will take effect for the 2023-2024 school year. This provides one free breakfast and one lunch to all students.

Changes Coming to School District 197 Cafeterias This Fall

Recent legislation has passed the Free School Meals bill into law beginning this 2023-2024 school year. Please note important changes:

This provides one free breakfast and one lunch to all students.
The price for a second breakfast or lunch/additional meals is listed below under the pricing tab.
A la carte pricing will remain the same (see pricing tab below).
Households will still need to complete an Application for Educational Benefits to see if they qualify for other important discounts. A new application must be submitted each year.

The Application for Educational Benefits can assist in many ways!

If meals are free why should I fill out an application?
Our menu of additional benefits may include:

Free or discounted fees for middle and high school athletics and activities.
Fee waivers for college applications and admissions tests.
Discounted utilities and internet access.
Discounted school fees for band instruments, textbooks, class fees, and more.
Helping the school qualify for education funds and discounts.
See the FAQs below for more details.

Child Nutrition Resources

School Year Menus

Application for Educational Benefits & FAQs

Online Application for Educational Benefits

Print Application for Educational Benefits - English

Print Application for Educational Benefits - Spanish

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.

2023-2024 MEAL INFORMATION
Our school offers healthy meals each day. Starting school year 2023-2024, we are joining Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs.

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 qualify?
Children in households participating in WIC or Medical Assistance do not automatically qualify. Children may be eligible 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.

Discounts on Memberships and More!
The following discounts may be available to you:

If you have other questions or need help, please call the Child Nutrition Department at 651-403-7320.

Pricing: Second Meals and A La Carte Items

Meal Pricing for the 2023-2024 School Year:
Due to recent legislation, all students receive one free breakfast and one lunch. Please see pricing below for a second student meal and a la carte menu items.

Second Student Meal & Adult Meal	Breakfast	Lunch
All schools	$2.50	$4.95

A La Carte Menu	All Schools
Carton of Milk	$0.60
Extra Entrée	$2.50
Extra Side Dish	$1.00

To check your students account balance and/or to deposit money to his/her account, please go to: mypaymentsplus.com/welcome.

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

First page of the PDF file: SpecialDietStatement-Spanish1

Local Wellness Policy: Triennial Assessment Report

Links & Resources

Employment Opportunities

The Child Nutrition Program is looking for individuals that enjoy serving children and are willing to work in a clean, fast paced, teamwork oriented environment. Substitute and Regular Kitchen Assistant positions are available for the current school year. This is an excellent opportunity to have a flexible schedule and be at home with your children. Please visit the School District 197 Child Nutrition Employment page to see available positions. Contact the Child Nutrition Office at (651) 403-7320 for more information about joining the team!

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.