National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
1
School nutrition programs have a long history of
meeting the food and nutrition needs of children. Children need to be well nourished and school meals help meet this goal. School meals also help children learn and perform in the classroom.
School meals must meet nutrition standards. By law, the meals offered in schools that are part of the national program must provide
• one-fourth of a student’s daily nutrition needs at breakfast.
• one-third of a student’s daily nutrition needs at lunch.
School nutrition programs also promote good health for a lifetime. Foods and eating habits encouraged in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans are promoted in school nutrition programs. All school districts with a national school nutrition program have wellness policies to encourage a healthy school environment.
School Nutrition Standards
Meals must meet minimums for these nutrients: Protein Energy (calories) Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium Iron
The meals also limit these nutrients:
• Total fat – not more than
30% of total calories over the menu week
• Saturated fat – less than
10% of total calories over the menu week
Each state monitors and may set meal standards to meet current dietary guidelines:
• Increase fiber-rich whole
grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes
• Decrease foods high in
sodium/salt
• Limit foods rich in dietary
cholesterol
School Nutrition
Programs
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
This project has been funded at least in part by the Delta Health Alliance (DHA) through HRSA Grant Number U1FRH0741. The Delta Health Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Stoneville, Mississippi, that advocates, develops, and implements collaborative programs to improve the health of citizens in the Delta through the support of partnerships that increase access and availability of health care, conduct and apply health research, or offer health education programs that foster healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Delta Health Alliance visit www.deltahealthalliance.org.
Permission to use DHA’s logo must be obtained through DHA’s single point of contact prior to use.
School nutrition programs are offered to all students. Children from homes with limited incomes may have access to free or reduced-price meal benefits. School nutrition staffs work hard to meet the needs of all students.
School nutrition programs are self-supporting and operate on a limited budget. All program costs (food, labor, equipment, and supplies) are funded by the meal price and federal money. Most often, school nutrition programs have a separate budget in the school district and do not receive local tax money. Programs must follow rules to receive federal money.
When students eat with school nutrition programs, they can apply health and nutrition lessons from the classroom. Support efforts to link the classroom with your school nutrition program. Help students practice good health every day. Support school nutrition.
Schools meals are an option for all school staff and a real value, too! Be a great role model and eat school meals with your students. They learn from everything you do.
National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
1
Laws and Regulations that
Govern School Nutrition
For more information, contact NFSMI at 800-321-3054 or www.nfsmi.org
School Nutrition Programs Guidance
The following laws and regulations guide school nutrition programs: • Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (1946)
• Healthy Meals for Americans Act (1994) • Healthy Meals for Children Act (1996)
School nutrition programs must also meet the needs of children with disabilities and other medical conditions as outlined by these laws
• Rehabilitation Act of 1973
• Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
• ADA Amendment Act of 2008
• Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) nondiscrimination regulation (7 CFR 15b) • FNS Instruction 783-2, Revision 2, Meal Substitutions for Medical or Other Special
Dietary Reasons
School nutrition programs were created by federal law in 1946. Since then many other laws have been enacted which affect the operation of school nutrition programs. Many of the laws that guide school district operations will also guide school nutrition programs.
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
This project has been funded at least in part by the Delta Health Alliance (DHA) through HRSA Grant Number U1FRH0741. The Delta Health Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Stoneville, Mississippi, that advocates, develops, and implements collaborative programs to improve the health of citizens in the Delta through the support of partnerships that increase access and availability of health care, conduct and apply health research, or offer health education programs that foster healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Delta Health Alliance visit www.deltahealthalliance.org.
Permission to use DHA’s logo must be obtained through DHA’s single point of contact prior to use.
Laws and Regulations that Govern School Nutrition, continued
School nutrition programs are required by law to meet the special nutrition needs of students with documented disabilities.
Students with other medical or health concerns not based
on disabilities may receive meal modifications. These
changes must be identified by a recognized medical authority and are determined on a case-by-case basis by the school nutrition program. Programs are encouraged to accommodate special medical needs when possible.
National Food Service Management Institute The University of Mississippi
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
1 Disability-Based Special Nutrition Needs
• Protected by law
• Requires a signed statement from a licensed physician • Reasonable changes
• Provided at no additional cost
Other Medical or Dietary Reasons for Special Nutrition Needs
• Provided on a case-by-case basis by each school nutrition program
• Requires a signed medical statement by a recognized medical authority (physician, physician assistant, nurse practitioner, or other professionals specified by the State agency)
• Reasonable changes
• Provided at no additional cost
For more information, contact NFSMI at 800-321-3054 or www.nfsmi.org
School nutrition programs must follow a specific process before making any changes to the school meals for a student. While law protects disability-based changes, the local school nu-trition program determines the reasonable meal changes possible for medical or other dietary reasons. In either case, a similar process is followed to assure students’ needs are met.
Understanding the Difference
Between Disabilities and
A School
administrator’s
Guide to
This project has been funded at least in part by the Delta Health Alliance (DHA) through HRSA Grant Number U1FRH0741. The Delta Health Alliance is a non-profit organization based in Stoneville, Mississippi, that advocates, develops, and implements collaborative programs to improve the health of citizens in the Delta through the support of partnerships that increase access and availability of health care, conduct and apply health research, or offer health education programs that foster healthy lifestyles. For more information about the Delta Health Alliance visit www.deltahealthalliance.org.
Permission to use DHA’s logo must be obtained through DHA’s single point of contact prior to use.
Understanding the Difference Between Disabilities and Other Health Concerns, continued
Use these tips to help your school nutrition program meet students’ special dietary needs: • Know your school nutrition program’s process for
changes to school meals.
• Help students’ families understand the need for the required signed statement from a licensed physician or recognized medical authority. Your school
nutrition program may have a form available for this purpose.
• Make sure school nutrition staff are included in Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Individualized Health Care Plan (IHCP) or other team meetings for students with special nutrition needs.
Your school nutrition staff cares about all students. Working together with other school staff will help assure students’ special nutrition needs are met.
