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 or juice 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 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.

Employees, except for food service personnel, will be required to purchase meals consumed.

It will be the responsibility of the Food Service Director to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and appropriate personnel for the proper functioning of the school food program.

When a student/family lunch account is closed out the balance remaining will be refunded to the student’s parents. 

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.

 

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. (2010).
                                       7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2010).
                                       Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).
                                       281 I.A.C. 58.8

Cross Reference:  710       School Food Services
                                       905       Use of School District Facilities and Equipment

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985, Feb 20, 2017, Nov. 15, 2021, Mar. 28, 2022    
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Apr. 13, 2009, Jan 4, 2017, Oct. 18, 2021, Mar. 28, 2022      
Revised:  Jan. 12, 1998, May 11, 2009, Jan 4, 2017, Oct. 18, 2021      

  

 

Students enrolled and attending school in the school district who meet USDA eligibility guidelines will be provided the school nutrition program services at no cost or at a reduced price.  The school district will take great care to prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price meals.

The district will at least twice annually notify all families of the availability, eligibility criteria, and application procedures for free or reduced-price meals in accordance with state and federal law. 

It is the responsibility of the Food & Nutrition Services Director or designee to determine the eligibility of students for free or reduced-price school nutrition programs, in accordance with criteria established by state and federal law.  If school personnel have knowledge of a student who is in need of free or reduced-price meals, school personnel shall contact the Food & Nutrition Services Director or designee.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, the Food & Nutrition Services Director or designee may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced-price meals.  The school is encouraged to provide reimbursable meals to students who request reimbursable meals unless the students’ parent or guardian has specifically provided written direction to the school to withhold a meal from the student. 

Employees; except for food service personnel will be required to pay for meals consumed. No charging of meals is allowed by employee.

It is the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for implementing this policy.

This is self-funding organization and to sustain the program, bills must be paid.

 

 

Legal Reference:           42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2010).
                                                7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2010).
                                                Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).
                                                281 I.A.C. 58.

Cross Reference:           710       School Food Services
                                                710.3    Vending Machines
                                                710.4    Meal Charge Policy

Approved:  Feb. 11, 1985, Feb. 20, 2017, Nov. 15, 2021, Apr. 11, 2022         
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Jan. 4, 2017, Oct. 18, 2021, Mar. 28, 2022      
Revised:  Jan. 4, 2017, Oct. 18, 2021, Oct. 18, 2021                                    

 

Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances will be approved by the superintendent.  Vending machines in the school building will be the responsibility of the Food Service Director.  Purchases from the vending machines, will reflect the guidelines on the wellness policy 507.9.

It will be the responsibility of the superintendent to develop administrative regulations for the use of vending machines and other sales of food to students.

 

 

Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq. (2010).
                                       7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq. (2010).
                                       Iowa Code ch. 283A (2013).
                                       281 I.A.C. 58.

Cross Reference:  504.5    Student Fund Raising
                                       710       School Food Services

 

Approved:  Jan. 12, 1998, Feb 20, 2017 , Apr.11, 2022          
Reviewed:  Aug. 24, 2005, Jan 4, 2017, Mar. 28, 2022      
Revised: Jan 4, 2017

 

In accordance with state and federal law, the Fairfield Community School District adopts the following policy to ensure school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges. The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, prevent the overt identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school nutrition program.

 

Payment of Meals: Students have use of a meal account.

Elementary Level: When an account reaches the $15 limit, a student will not be allowed to charge further meals or ala carte options.

Middle School Level: A student may charge no more than $15 to this account.

When an account reaches a negative balance, purchasing of ala carte items will not be allowed. When an account reaches the balance limit, a student will not be allowed to charge further meals.

High School Level: When an account reaches a negative balance, purchasing of ala carte items will not be allowed. When the account reaches the $15 limit, a student will not be allowed to charge further meals.

Families may add money to a student’s account via online payments through Campus Portal, send money with the student to the building secretary for deposit to their meal account, or by sending or taking money to the ACT Office at 403 S 20^th St, Fairfield, IA  52556.

Students who qualify for free meals will never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Students with outstanding meal charge debt will be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal by depositing cash in the office by 9 a.m. on the day of service.

Employees have use of a meal account, but will not be allowed to charge any amount.

 

Negative Account Balances

The school district will make reasonable efforts to notify families when meal account balances are low. Additionally, the school district will make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges classified as delinquent debt. The school district will coordinate communications with families to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Families will be notified once the student account reaches a low or negative balance. Families will be notified via email, automated and/or personal call, text messaging or letters home. Negative balances of more than $15.00, not paid

prior to the end of the school year will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Options may include:  collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.

 

Unpaid Student Meals Account

The district has established an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund.  Funds from private sources and funds from the district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school meals account in accordance with law.  Funds deposited into this account will be used only to pay individual student meal debt.

 

Communication of the Policy

The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges will be provided in writing to:

• All households at or before the start of each school year;
• Students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer; and
• All staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy. 

Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.

The superintendent may develop an administrative process to implement this policy.

NOTE: If the district elects to provide alternate meals for students, the alternate meal must contain components available to all students and be provided in the same manner as meals are provided to other students. Additionally, the district is expected to accommodate special dietary needs when a child’s disability restricts their diet.

NOTE: The Iowa Department of Education has tools and resources available to help districts with the school nutrition program and meal charge policy implementation and review. Please visit the “School Meals” section of the Iowa Department of Education’s website.

NOTE: School districts must follow appropriate debt collection practices when trying to recover unpaid meal charges.

 

 

Legal Reference:  42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq.
                                                7 C.F.R. §§ 210 et seq.
                                       U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 46-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies (2016).
                                       U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 47-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments
                                                   (2016).
                                       U.S. Dep’t of Agric., SP 57-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Guidance and Q&A (2016).
                                                Iowa Code 283A.
                                       281 I.A.C. 58.                                 

Cross Reference:  710.1   School Food Program
                                       710.2   Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
                                       710.3   Vending Machine

Approved:  June 19, 2017, July 20, 2018, May 18, 2020  
Reviewed:  June 18, 2018, April 9, 2020, Mar. 28, 2022
Revised:  June 19, 2017, July 20, 2018, April 9, 2020     

 

Elementary and Secondary

The purpose of the policy is to ensure compliance with federal reporting requirements for the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) and to provide oversight and accountability for the collection of outstanding student meal balances (meal charges) and school meal accounts with credit balances.

Fairfield CSD Child Nutrition Program aims to implement an enforceable and effective meal charge procedure that treats students with respect and dignity, maintains a positive experience for students during breakfast and lunch service, establishes age appropriate practices, promotes parent responsibility for meal payments and self-responsibility for the student.

It is the parent’s responsibility to read and understand all communications regarding the school meal program related to procedures for applying for free/reduced meals, school meal charges, negative school meal account balances and credit balances for students leaving the district or graduating. 

 

Balance Availability and Notification 

Each week the Child Nutrition Program sends out low and negative balance Email Alerts and text to all households that have provided a valid email or cell phone number.  Parents/Guardians may also check their child’s account balance at any time using the Campus Portal. Monthly letters are also sent out to all accounts which carry a negative balance of $-5.00 or more.   

 

Negative Balances following an Eligibility Change

When a student’s account has an Eligibility change to “Free” Status, any negative balance accrued before the eligibility change must be paid in full. 

 

Credit Balances

When a student lunch account is closed out the balance remaining will be refunded to the student’s parents/guardian. 

The following outlines the school meal charge policy for each school level:

 

High School Charging Procedure

High School Students are allowed to charge up to $15 for reimbursable meals (at least three of the offered meal components consisting of a meat, fruits/vegetables, bread and milk).  Any student whose account exceeds this maximum charge limit will be offered an alternate meal consisting of; Fruit, Vegetable and Milk. The student will be charged for the alternate meal. Therefore, we ask that you make every attempt to reconcile your child’s account as soon as possible or contact the Child Nutrition Program Director at 641-472-2655 ext. 6703. 

No alternate meal will be offered. Students will not be allowed to charge ala carte items if they have a negative balance. Negative balances must be paid in full before students can purchase any ala carte items.

 

Middle School Charging Procedure

Middle School Students will be allowed to charge $15 for reimbursable meals (at least three of the offered meal components consisting of a meat, fruits/vegetables, bread and milk).  Students will not be allowed to charge ala carte items. We ask that you make every attempt to reconcile your child’s account as soon as possible or contact the Child Nutrition Program Director at 641-472-2655 ext. 6703. 

Elementary School Charging Procedure

Elementary School Students will be allowed to charge $15 for reimbursable meals (at least three of the offered meal components consisting of a meat, fruits/vegetables, bread and milk).  Therefore, we ask that you make every attempt to reconcile your child’s account as soon as possible or contact the Child Nutrition Program Director at 641-472-2655 ext. 6703. 

Staff and Adult Guest Charging Policy

All staff will be provided a meal account for prepaid purchases.  No purchases will be allowed that result in a negative balance.

 

The priority of the Fairfield Community School District Child Nutrition Program is to serve our students delicious, healthy and well-balanced meals in an inviting atmosphere.  The Food Service Director reserves the authority to make exceptions that are in the child’s best interest, based on special circumstances, but not in violation of Civil Rights laws.

 

 

Approved: Mar. 28, 2022        
Reviewed:  Jul 25, 2016, Mar. 28, 2022   
Revised: Mar. 28, 2022