710.1 - School Nutrition Program

The school district will operate a school nutrition program in each attendance center.  The school nutrition program will include meals through participation in the National School Lunch Program.  Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk and other incidental items.

School nutrition program facilities are provided to serve students and employees when school is in session and during school-related activities.  They may also be used under the supervision of the Food Service Director for food service to employee groups, parent-teacher meetings, civic organizations meeting for the purpose of better understanding the schools, and senior citizens in accordance with law and board policy.

The school nutrition program is operated on a nonprofit basis.  The revenues of the school nutrition program will be used only for the operation or improvement of such programs.  Supplies of the school nutrition program will only be used for the school nutrition program.

The board will set, and annually review, the prices for school nutrition programs.  It is the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of the school nutrition programs, in accordance with federal and state law.

It is the responsibility of [insert food service position title] to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and appropriate personnel for the proper functioning of the school nutrition program.

The district shall comply with all federal and state laws and regulations required for procurement, including the selection and evaluation of contractors.  The superintendent or designee is responsible for developing an administrative process to implement this policy, including, but not limited to, procedures related to suspension and debarment for transactions subject to those requirements; and prohibitions on purchasing food products misbranded as meat or egg products, or cultivated-protein food products in accordance with applicable laws.

NOTE:   This is a mandatory policy.

NOTE: Superintendents will make the annual recommendation to the board after they have completed the Paid Lunch Equity (PLE) tool. For additional information, please visit the “Nutrition Programs” section of the Iowa Department of Education’s website. 

Legal Reference:           42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq..

                                    7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq..

                                    Iowa Code ch. 283A.

                                    281 I.A.C. 58.

Cross Reference:           710.2Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility

                                    710.3Vending Machines

                                    710.4Meal Charge Policy

                                    905Use of School District Facilities and Equipment

 

 

Approved      August 15, 2022               Reviewed                       Revised      October 21, 2024