Child Nutrition

Organization
School breakfast, school lunch, and school snacks are prepared and served with the highest quality and are available to all students. Program operations for Child Nutrition Services are consistent with state and federal regulations. The policies and procedures reflect the short and long term goals for the program.

Financial
The budget is based upon departmental needs, revenue, and expenditures. Financial management includes ongoing budgetary projections, revisions, and review of financial reports and management indicators.

Human Resources
Child Nutrition Services recruits and hires all staff for the program based on the school’s mission statement, overall goals, policies, and procedures. An evaluation system is in place for all employees. Open communication is promoted throughout the school.

Funding Sources
The U. S. Department of Agriculture distributes money to Child Nutrition Services through federal funding from the following sources:
National School Lunch Program
National Breakfast Program
Summer Food Service Program

Forms included at the bottom of this section.
General Guidelines
The following procedures provide school staff and parents guidance for providing reasonable and appropriate care for students with life-threatening food allergies who attend and eat meals/snacks in District schools. Accommodations will be made during normal school hours.

Definition: A food allergy is defined as a reaction of the body’s immune system to a certain component, usually a protein, in a food or ingredient. The foreign particle triggers the body to produce immunoglobulin E (IgE) which then triggers other cells to release substances that cause inflammation. A food allergy is not an intolerance or sensitivity, as these do not trigger an IgE immune response. Reactions can differ in severity and the most severe anaphylactic reactions can be life-threatening. A licensed physician must determine and provide documentation of a student’s life-threatening food allergy.

**PLEASE NOTE** If a student cannot have fluid milk due to a medical diagnosis, the Physician must prescribe the milk substitute on the Diet Prescription Form. The following milk substitutions are available: 4 oz juice, 8 oz Lactaid, bottled water.

Family Responsibility

• Inform school of student’s life-threatening food allergy and complete necessary medical forms annually. Provide physician documentation of student’s allergy and treatment for reactions.
• Annually, at the beginning of each school year, have a licensed physician complete and sign the “Special Diet Prescription Form” and return copies to the school nurse. Copies will be sent to the school cafeteria manager and Child Nutrition Services central office. This form can be accessed from the district website, the school nurse, and school cafeteria manager.
• Provide school with medication authorization form signed by physician, medications, and emergency contact information. Update school of any changes to student’s condition or treatment for reactions.

Child Nutrition Services Responsibility

• During hours of food service operation, the cafeteria will make reasonable accommodations for children with life threatening allergies.
• Obtain copy of Diet Prescription Form signed by a licensed physician from the School Nurse. Make modifications, under the direction of the Child Nutrition Services director, to meals and snacks according to the Diet Prescription Form. Modified snacks are only provided if the student is enrolled in an after school program that receives snacks from Child Nutrition Services.
• Read all food labels and recheck routinely for potential food allergens. Alert school to changes to products served.
• Ensure cafeteria supervisor and staff are trained in identifying allergic reactions. Train all cafeteria staff about sound food handling practices to avoid cross contamination with potential food allergens.
• Follow strict procedures for cleaning and sanitizing all food preparations, serving, and eating areas to avoid cross-contamination.

Student Responsibility

• Take as much responsibility as possible for avoiding potential allergens by not trading or sharing foods and washing hands before and after eating.
• Learn to recognize symptoms of allergic reactions and inform an adult if an exposure to an allergen or reaction occurs. If age appropriate, learn how to self-administer treatment.

Files:

FoodDietOrder.pdf

Diet Prescription for Meals at School.docx

2021/22 Income Eligibility.docx

Policy is attached below.

Files:

2021/22 School Meal Payment Policy.docx

2023-24 DWCS Wellness Policy

USDA Food & Nutrition Service
The Food & Nutrition Service administers several programs that provide healthy food to children, which help to fight hunger and obesity by reimbursing organizations such as school, child care centers, and after-school programs for providing healthy meals to children.

School Nutrition Association
The School Nutrition Association (SNA) is a national, nonprofit professional organization representing more than 56,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country.

Children’s Health Fund
Children’s Health Fund (CHF) creates low-literacy health education materials to assist children and their families in learning about a variety of health related topics.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation is a catalyst for children’s health. We work with schools, companies, community organizations, healthcare professionals and families to transform the conditions and systems that lead to healthier kids.

Louisiana Fit Kids
Child nutrition programs in Louisiana play an important role in improving diet, reducing food insecurity and improving overall health. A healthy student is better enabled to learn and succeed and all students in Louisiana deserve that chance.

Choose MyPlate
MyPlate is a reminder to find your healthy eating style and build it throughout your lifetime. Everything you eat and drink matters. The right mix can help you be healthier now and in the future.

Southeast Dairy
Promoting a healthy lifestyle that includes three servings of milk, cheese or yogurt every day.

Fuel Up to Play 60
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by National Dairy Council and NFL, in collaboration with the USDA, to help encourage today’s youth to lead healthier lives.