BELLINGHAM SCHOOL DISTRICT 501
8500
BOARD POLICY
The Bellingham School District believes that children who eat well-balanced meals and are healthy are more likely to learn in the classroom. The superintendent shall develop and implement a comprehensive Districtwide nutrition program consistent with state and federal requirements for districts sponsoring the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The District shall promote a healthy school environment that enhances learning and development of lifelong wellness practices, including design of food services programs that encourage students to participate. The District shall promote public policy that will provide adequate funding for child nutrition programs in schools.
The District shall provide wholesome and nutritious meals for children in the District's schools. The Board authorizes the superintendent to administer the food services program, provided that any decision to enter into a contract with a private food service agency shall require the approval of the Board.
The financial goal of the program will be that direct expenditures will not exceed program revenues.
The District shall comply with all local, state, and federal statutes and regulations, including, but not limited to, student nutrition, use of USDA commodities, food safety and sanitation, and purchasing practices.
Because of potential liability to the District, the food services program shall not accept donations of food other than as provided in this policy without the approval of the Board. Should the Board approve a food donation, the superintendent shall establish inspection and handling procedures for the food and determine that the provisions of all state and local laws have been met before selling the food as part of the school lunch menu.
Meal prices will be recommended by the superintendent, with the approval of the Board, at the beginning of each year.
The District shall provide free and reduced price breakfasts and lunches to students according to the terms of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and the laws and rules of the state. The District shall annually inform parents of the eligibility standards for free or reduced price meals. Reasonable efforts shall be made to protect the identity of students receiving such meals.
The Board of Directors may establish a program whereby school meals may be provided to anyone other than students of the District at the greatest price charged any student plus an amount representing the portion of the lunch cost paid for from local, state, and federal assistance (cash and food).
Districtwide Nutrition Program
Breakfast and lunch will be offered at all District school sites consistent with state and federal requirements for sponsorship of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and Washington State mandated breakfast program. As other nutrition program options become available as part of the national programs, the District will investigate the feasibility of implementation. Child Nutrition Program benefits are available to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or disability.
The District may provide free, nutritious meals to all children on designated state test days; however, the District is responsible for the cost of providing meals to students who are ineligible for free and reduced priced meals.
The superintendent shall direct District administrators to comply with this policy and such procedures as are addressed in local, state, or federal statutes or regulations.
A parent who does not agree with the eligibility determination on their free and reduced meal application or the process used to prove income eligibility may talk with a District administrator by calling the District Food and Nutrition Services office. A fair hearing will also be arranged by contacting the Food and Nutrition Services office.
Surplus Commodities
The District shall use food commodities made available under the Federal Food Commodity Program for school menus.
The District prohibits the sale of Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value (FMNV), including beverages, in competition with reimbursable school meals. In order to further the nutrition goals set forth by statute and regulations, areas of the school campus where reimbursable school meals are either served and/or eaten will not provide access to foods of minimal nutritional value during scheduled meal periods.
Other Services
The District may provide food services to programs outside the District when resources allow and mutual benefits are derived.
Legal References:
RCW 28A.235
RCW 28A.235.120 Meal Programs Establishment and Operation
RCW 28A.235.130 Milk for Children at School Expense
RCW 28A.235.140 School Breakfast Programs
RCW 28A.235.145 School Breakfast and Lunch Programs – Use of State Funds
RCW 28A.235.150 School Breakfast and Lunch Programs – Grants to Increase Participation and/or Support
RCW 28A.235.160 Requirements to Implement School Lunch and Summer Foodservice Programs
RCW 28A.623.020 Non-profit Meal Program for Elderly
RCW 28A.623.030 Non-profit Program for Certain Children and Students
RCW 69.80.040 Information and Referral Service for Food Donation Program
7CFR, Parts 210 and 220 National School Lunch and Breakfast Program
7CFR, Part 245.5 USDA Guidance, January 16, 2001
Section 10 (a) Child Nutrition Act of 1966 as amended by P.L. 95-166
Whatcom County Food Safety and Sanitation Regulations FNS Instruction 791-1; Prohibition against Denying Meals and Milk to Children as a Disciplinary Action.
Approved: 6-23-05