710 SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE

710.1 SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM

The Wapello Community School District will operate a school lunch and breakfast program in each attendance center. The school food program services will include hot lunches through participation in the National School Lunch Program and supplementary foods for students during the school day. Students may bring their lunches from home and purchase milk or juice and other incidental items.

School food service 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 Superintendent 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 food program is operated on a nonprofit basis. The revenues of the school food program will be used only for paying the regular operating costs of the school food program. Supplies of the school food program shall only be used for the school food program.

The board will set, and periodically review, the prices for school lunches, breakfast and special milk programs. It shall be the responsibility of the superintendent to make a recommendation regarding the prices of school lunch, breakfast, and milk.

It shall be the responsibility of Food Service Director to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and head cook for the proper functioning of the school food program.

 

Approved: July 18, 1995

Reviewed: December 13, 2001; December 12, 2007; 12/14/11; 8/21/19

 Revised: December 13, 2001

710.1E1 SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM NOTICES OF NONDISCRIMINATION

710.1E1 SCHOOL FOOD PROGRAM NOTICES OF NONDISCIMINATION

 

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals whoa re deaf, hard or hearing, or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

 

To file a program complain of discrimination, complete the USDA Progrma Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at:  https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discimination-complaint, any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form.  To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992.  Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

  • Mail:  U.S. Department of Agriculture

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

 

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

It is the policy of the CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, of employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9.  If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E 14th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov;.

710.1E2 CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT FORM

710.1E2 CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAMS CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT FORM

 

Complain Contact Information:

 

Name:  _______________________________________________________________________

Street Address, City, State, Zip:  ___________________________________________________

County:  __________________________________Area Code/Phone:  ____________________

Email Address:  ________________________________________________________________

 

Complaint information:

 

  • Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivery the service or benefit

 

 

  • Describe the incident or action of the alleged discrimination or give an example of the situation that has a discriminatory effect on the public, potential program participants, or current participants:

 

 

  • On what basis does the complainant feel discrimination exists (race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, sexual orientation religion, gender identity, political party affiliation, actual/potential parental/family/marital status)?

 

 

  • Lis the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action:

 

 

  • Date complaint received:  ___________________________________________________

 

 

  • Person receiving complaint:  _________________________________________________

 

 

  • Action(s) taken:  __________________________________________________________

 

The USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability for complaints received within 180 days.  Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five calendar days of receipt and no later thatn 180 days of the discriminatory act.  The link for submission of a complaint is:  program.intake@usda.gov

 

In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, gendr identity, religion, or creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence.  The address for Iowa Complaints is:  Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grims State Office building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov/

 

 

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

 

 

 

 

 

710.1R1 SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

710.1R1 SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

 

Procedures for Handling a Civil Rights Complaint

 

Civil rights complaints related to the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Afterschool Care Snack Program, Summer Food Service Program, Seamless Summer Option, or Child and Adult Care Food Program are written or verbal allegations of discrimination based on USDA protected classes of race, color, national origin, sex, age, and disability.

 

Any person claiming discrimination has a right to file a complain within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.  See below for additional Iowa Civil Rights information.  A civil rights complaint based on the protected classes listed above must be forwarded to the address on the nondiscrimination statement.

 

All complaints, whether written or verbal, must be accepted by the School Food Authority (SFA)/Sponsor/Organization and forwarded to USDA at the address or link on the nondiscrimination statement within 5 calendar days of receipt.  An anonymous complaint should be handled the same way as any other.  Complaint forms may be developed, but their use cannot be required.  If the complainant makes the allegations verbally or in a telephone conversation and is reluctant or refuses to put them in writing, the person who handles the complaint must document thedescription of the complaint.

 

There must be enough information to identify the agency or individual toward which the complaint is directed and indicate the possibility of a violation.  Every effort should be made to obtain at least the following information:

  • Name, address, and telephone number or other means of contacting the complainant
  • The specific location and name of the organization delivering the program service or benefit
  • The nature of the incident(s) or action(s) that led the complainant to feel there was discrimination
  • The basis on which the complainant feels discrimination occurred (race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability)
  • The names, titles, and addresses of people who may have knowledge of the discriminatory action(s)
  • The date(s) when the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred or, if continuing, the duration of such action(s)

 

USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes listed above, for complaints received with 180 days.  Civil rights complaints must be submitted to the USDA Office of Civil Rights within five calendar days of receipt and no later thatn 180 days of the discriminatory act.  The link for submission of a complaint is program.intake@usda.gov

 

In Iowa, protected classes also include sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, or creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence.  The address for Iowa complaints is:  Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA  50319-1004; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website:  https://icrc.iowa.gov/

 

 

 

 

710.2 FREE OR REDUCED COST MEALS ELIGIBILITY

Students enrolled and attending school in the Wapello Community 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 shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the overt identification of students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

The district shall 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 service director 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 service director.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, the food service director 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  meal from the student.

Employees will be required to pay for meals consumed.

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

 

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

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

                              Iowa Code 283A

                              281 I.A.C. 58

 

Cross Reference:  710.1 School Nutrition Program

                              710.3 Vending Machines

                              710.4 Meal Charge Policy

 

Approved: July 18, 1995

Reviewed: December 13, 2001; December 12, 2007; 12/14/11; 8/21/19

 Revised: December 13, 2001

710.3 VENDING MACHINES

Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances shall be approved by the superintendent. Vending machines in the school building shall be the responsibility of the building principal. Purchases from the vending machines, other than juice machines, shall not be made during the lunch periods.

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

 

Approved: July 18, 1995

Reviewed: December 13, 2001; December 12, 2007; 12/14/11; 8/21/19

 Revised: December 13, 2001

710.4 MEAL CHARGES

 

In accordance with state and federal law, the Wapello 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.  When the balance reaches $0.00, a student may charge no more than $10.00 to this account.  When an account reaches this limit, a student shall not be allowed to charge further a la carte items until the negative account balance is paid.  Families may add money to student accounts through electronic payment options, pay at the school office, or send payment with child.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. schools are encouraged to provide a reimbursable meal to students with outstanding meal charge debt.  If an alternate meal is provided, the meal must be the same meal presented in the same manner to any student requesting an alternate meal.

Employees may use a charge account for meals, but may charge no more than $10.00 to this account.  When an account reaches this limit, an employee shall not be allowed to charge further meals or a la carte items until the negative account balance is paid.

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 the student's parent or guardian to resolve the matter of unpaid charges.  Parents or guardians will be notified of an outstanding negative balance once the student owes five meals or more.  Parents or guardians will be notified by letters sent home, emails, automated calling system when available.  Negative balances of more than $5.00 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 will establish 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 shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.

Communication of the Policy

The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall 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.

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

 

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

                              7 C.F.R. 210 et seq.

                              U.S. Department of Agriculture, SP 46-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Local Meal Charge Policies (2016)

                              U.S. Department of Agriculture, SP 47-2016, Unpaid Meal Charges: Clarification on Collection of Delinquent Meal Payments (2016)

                              U.S. Department of Agriculture, 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:  7/16/17

Reviewed:  8/21/19

Revised:

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