FILE: EE
CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The Vermilion Parish School Board (VPSB) believes the Child Nutrition Program is an essential part in promoting student health and addressing issues related to childhood obesity and poor nutrition. The School Board is dedicated to the overall well-being of the students of Vermilion Parish and believes that every child should have the opportunity to participate in the child nutrition program without regard to race, color, disability, national origin, sex, or age. The School Board also believes that this effort should be endorsed and supported by all adults who serve as role models, stake-holders, community members, and parents who are committed to the health and wellness needs of our students.
GUIDELINES
Operations - The School Board shall administer a Food and Nutrition Program in accordance with federal and state standards and requirements. The School Board, as the recognized child nutrition program authority for the school district, shall annually approve the national school lunch program, school breakfast program, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) school commodity programs and any other related programs. The approved agreement shall meet all specifications mandated by the Louisiana Department of Education's Division of Nutrition Support.
Sanitation - Guidelines of the Louisiana Sanitary Code shall be strictly followed in the preparation, serving, and cleaning of all child nutrition programs and facilities. A Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point Plan (HACCP) has been implemented at every school kitchen along with continual food safety and sanitation training.
Nutrition Standards - The Child Nutrition Program shall administer nutrition standards according to federal and state regulations. All food and beverages served to students during the school day will meet the nutrition requirements and standards as set forth by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards and the Louisiana Smart Snacks Guidelines, at a minimum. (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §17:197.1). The school day is defined as 12:00 am (midnight) from the day before until thirty (30) minutes after the end of the official school day.
MEAL SERVICE
Every student will have access to a school breakfast and school lunch in accordance with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. All meals served in the district are high in quality and nutritionally balanced. They meet the nutritional requirements for age-appropriate caloric needs, and limit fat and sodium.
Participation in alternate breakfast options, the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), snacks for academic programs, summer food service program, and other federal or grant programs are optional.
Class schedules, bus schedules, and other barriers shall not restrict meal access.
All students will have access to school meals within the allotted time, and school shall provide sufficient serving areas for student meals. The USDA recommends a minimum of thirty (30) minutes for a lunch period. All students up to but not including grades 9-12 (high school) are required to eat lunch during meal times as set forth by each school principal. Students not wanting to eat or purchase a lunch at school must bring a lunch from home. It is highly encouraged that all lunches brought from home meet the VPSB Policy for Nutrition Standards for food and beverages. The breakfast meal period should be scheduled at least one-half hour prior to the beginning of school bell time, with meal access and consumption time depending on the student’s arrival to school. All students are highly encouraged to eat breakfast at school to ensure adequate preparation for the school day academic schedule. The breakfast meal service procedure will be determined by the principal at the individual school sites.
It is highly encouraged that all meals brought into the cafeteria comply with the VPSB Policy for Nutrition Standards for food and beverages. Commercial fast foods, carbonated beverages, and concentrated sweets are not be allowed in the cafeteria dining areas.
No supplies or foods, including leftovers, shall be removed from the cafeteria or school campus unless there has been an authorized transfer to another school location or school board site.
School meals may not be removed from the cafeteria or school campus unless there has been an approved meal take-out service/policy such as a Vermilion Parish Alternative Program school site, a satellite school site, central office taste testing, an on campus bag lunch, or a planned off campus field trip.
MEAL PAYMENT
The meal paying status of a student is determined through the Meal Benefits Application process. Students who are not eligible for free or reduced price meal benefits will be responsible for the payment of their meals at the established prices. All student account balances are documented as long as they are enrolled with the Vermilion Parish School Board, and collection procedures will apply as necessary.
MEAL CHARGE POLICY
Students in grades PK – 8 will be allowed to eat a full breakfast or lunch at school if they do not have the adequate payment needed. Students in grades 9 – 12 must be able to pay for the meal they are purchasing. All charges for student meals will remain on the student’s account. School sanctions will be applied at the school site for all unpaid debts which includes denial in participation in non-academic activities (field trips, school fun days, dances, etc.), including graduation ceremonies. Payments can be made through the online payment system or a payment plan can be established through the Child Nutrition Program Office.
Students that do have meal accounts balances will not be overtly identified at the school site. Students that have balances are required to resolve debt as soon as possible. Students’ meal balances will be communicated to the parent or guardian through statements that will be sent home two (2) times per month through the student. Statements are printed, sealed, and given to the homeroom teacher for distribution to the student. Students are responsible for giving statements to the parent or guardian.
The meal charge policy guidelines are the same for students that have balances but are now attending a CEP school. Monthly statements, school sanctions, and payment plans will be applied at all CEP school sites.
MEAL PAYMENT TYPES
All meals served must be paid for daily to the school’s Cafeteria Manager or in advance through the online payment system. A check or money order made payable to the school’s cafeteria is acceptable. All non-sufficient funds (NSF) checks will be charged a fee. Meal account refunds/transfers may be requested at the school cafeteria at any time during the school year through the school’s Cafeteria Manager.
MEAL BENEFITS
All students with the Vermilion Parish School Board may eligible for financial assistance for student meals by completing the Family Meal Benefits Application. This application is designed to list all members of the household on one application. An application will be provided to each student at the beginning of the school year and is available throughout the entire school year with the school’s Cafeteria Manager, the Child Nutrition Program Office, or online. Only one application is needed for each household every year. A new application must be completed on all transfer students from another parish, state, or private school upon enrollment. Transfer students within the Vermilion Parish School Board do not need to submit a new application within the same school year. Parents or guardians are responsible for all meal payments until the approval of the application at the Child Nutrition Program Office. Meal status from the prior school year does remain in effect for only the first thirty (30) operation days of the new school year.
A random verification process of the meal benefit applications is conducted to confirm all submitted information. Deliberate misrepresentation on the application may result in prosecution of the parent or guardian under state and federal criminal statutes. If meal benefits are reduced or terminated through the verification process, the household will be give written notice of the change.
If a school site is participating in the (CEP) program, meal benefit applications are not required. The CEP program is offered through the USDA, and is an authorized part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which established the recent changes in school meals across the nation. While at school, all students attending a CEP school will be offered a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge to the household. If a student transfers during the school year from a CEP school to a non-CEP school, the student will keep their status for ten (10) days only. A meal benefits application will need to be completed for the current school year. Parents or guardians are responsible for all meal payments until the approval of the application at the Child Nutrition Program Office. Parents or guardians are still responsible for all previous meal charges incurred by the student prior to the implementation of the CEP program. All collections procedures will apply as necessary.
State guidelines allow for the limited disclosure of information without consent of the parent. The information may be used only for the purpose authorized and may not be shared with any other parties for any reason. No discrimination against any individual shall occur because of his/her inability to pay, nor shall the School Board or any nutrition service provider publish or permit to be published the names of any individual unable to pay for the food.
Only child nutrition program employees who have been trained through the child nutrition program on state and federal regulations will have access to the eligibility status of students.
Any public school employee who discloses the name of any individual unable to pay for such food, either orally or in written form, except as reasonably necessary in the conduct of his/her official duties, shall be subject to the penalties provided in state law.
No employee shall disclose such information to any student for any reason.
SPECIAL EVENTS
During the school day, all schools and employees shall comply with federal and state regulations when operating concessions, vending machines, food and beverage sales, including fundraisers as specified by the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards and the Louisiana Smart Snacks Guidelines.
Special events should not interfere with the preparation and service of school lunch, breakfasts, or snacks.
All food and beverages served outside of the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program, during the school day, shall comply with the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards and the Louisiana Smart Snacks Guidelines, at a minimum. The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a resource for selecting competitive foods and beverages that meet both federal and state regulations.
Food and beverages for fundraising activities are only allowed for off campus consumption.
School functions involving the use of the kitchen shall be arranged through the principal and the child nutrition supervisor, and approved through the superintendent. Whenever the kitchen is used by the school, one or more of the child nutrition employees shall be in charge to ensure control over the child nutrition foods and to ensure proper use and care of equipment and facilities. A Use of School Facilities form must be completed and sent to the supervisor of child nutrition at least two (2) weeks in advance of the event. Events that occur at scheduled times during the school year can be handled by sending in one notice listing all of the dates.
On campus bag lunches and off campus field trips must meet the same nutritional requirements as the daily meal pattern. Request for any type of bag lunch must be submitted at least four (4) weeks prior to the schedule date to plan for menu changes and ordering needs.
Adopted: July 20, 2016
Revised: June 26, 2017
Ref: 42 USC 1751 et seq. (School Lunch Programs)
42 USC 1771 et seq. (Child Nutrition)
7 CFR 210 (National School Lunch Program)
7 CFR 220 (School Breakfast Program)
La. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§17:82, 17:191, 17:192, 17:192.1, 17:195, 17:196, 17:197.1, 17:198, 17:199, 39:2101, 40:4
Louisiana Sanitary Code, La. Dept. of Health and Hospitals
Board minutes, 10-18-01, 7-20-16, 6-26-17
Vermilion Parish School Board