The board supports the promotion of healthy, nutritious meals for students attending district schools. Therefore, the district will operate school breakfast, lunch, and special milk programs for the benefit of the regularly enrolled students of the district and authorized adults in accordance with the requirements of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP). Where appropriate, the district may also operate the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). All programs will be operated in compliance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations concerning the operation of the Child Nutrition Program, including Civil Rights Rules and Regulations, as well as other federal, state and local requirements.
NONDISCRIMINATION AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the district office, school, or agency where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information is available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation in the district food service program are encouraged to contact [insert name(s) and title(s) of contact, e.g., food service director, principal, etc.] at [insert email and/or phone number and/or mailing address].
FUNDING AND CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE FOOD SERVICE AGENCIES
The programs will be financed through allowable regular or special funds in this district, including the Commodity Support Program. The programs will be operated so that their regular operating costs come from the state and federal programs as well as money collected from the sale of meals to students and adults. The price of the sale of meals to students and adults will be established annually by the board. When necessary, the board may expend capital or operating funds for support of the programs, subject to the regular budgetary procedures of the district.
The district will follow all procedures required under state and federal law for procuring a contract with a private food service agency, including Buy American requirements. Any decision to enter into a contract with a private food service agency shall require the approval of the Board.
QUALIFICATIONS OF FOOD SERVICE STAFF
In accordance with federal regulations, the district will ensure that its food service programs are administered by qualified school nutrition professionals. As part of its responsibility to operate a food service program, the district will ensure that professional development opportunities are provided to select food services professionals. Such professional development should include appropriate certification and/or training programs for child nutrition directors, school nutrition managers, and cafeteria workers, according to their levels of responsibility.
RECORDKEEPING
In accordance with applicable federal law and regulations, the district will annually report racial and ethnic data in the Idaho System for Educational Excellence. All racial and ethnic data related to the district’s child nutrition programs will be maintained for three (3) years plus the current year. The district will also maintain other records as may be required by federal or state law or regulations.
PUBLIC NOTIFICATION
In accordance with applicable federal law and regulations, the district will take action to notify and inform students, parents/guardians, and members of the school community of the district’s child nutrition programs. Such notices will include information on program availability, how to file complaints, and the nondiscrimination statement set forth above.
FREE AND REDUCED-PRICE FOOD SERVICES
The district will provide free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to students according to the terms of the NSLP and SBP programs and the laws and rules of the state. The district will inform parents or guardians of the eligibility standards for free and reduced-price meals. A parent or guardian has the right to appeal any decision with respect to any denial of his/her application for free or reduced-price food services to the superintendent or designee.
The district will maintain the confidentiality of all students’ free, reduced or paid status in the district’s child nutrition programs. Parents/guardians may, however, provide written consent for the disclosure of any or all of the information related to their children’s eligibility status or the information the household provided through the free and reduced-price meal eligibility process.
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LEGAL REFERENCE:
National School Lunch Program
42 USC 1751 et seq.
7 CFR Part 210
CROSS-REFERENCE:
771 – Charging School Meals
772 – Nutrition Standards
774 – Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales
850 – Purchasing
850P – Supplemental Purchasing Procedures
850.30 – Purchasing Services or Personal Property
ADOPTED: January 13, 2025
AMENDED:
294P1 – Civil Rights Complaint Procedure