711 School Food Services

711.1 School Nutrition Program

Code No. 711.1

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM

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 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 Supervisor 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 law and 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.

It is the responsibility of Food Service Supervisor to administer the program and to cooperate with the superintendent and appropriate personnel for the proper functioning of the school nutrition program.

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.

Legal Reference:         

42 U.S.C. §§ 1751 et seq..

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

Iowa Code ch. 283A.

281 I.A.C. 58.

Approved 9-13-93       Reviewed 12-5-13       Revised 3-15-2021

711.1E1 School Nutrition Program Notices of Discrimination

Code No.  710.1E1
 
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM NOTICES OF NONDISCRIMINATION
 
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 who are deaf, hard of 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 complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-fil-a -program-discrimination-complaint, any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of te information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992.
 
Submityour completed form or letter to USDA by:
  1. Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
  2. Fax: 202-690-7442
  3. Email:program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
 
Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement
 
It is the policy of this 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, or
employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9.
If you havequestions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the
Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E14th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number 515-
281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.
 
Approved: 5-16-2022                       Reviewed                       Revised: 

711.1E2 School Nutrition Program - Civil Rights Complaint Form

Code No. 711.1E2
 
SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAMS CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT FORM
 
Complaint Contact Information:
Name:
Street Address:
City,:
State:
Zip:
County:
AreaCode/Phone:
Email Address:
 
Complaint Information:
Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivering 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)?
 
List the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action:
 
List the date(s) during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred, or if continuing, the duration of such actions:
 
Date complaint received:
 
Person receiving complaint:
 
Action(s) taken:
 
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 than 180 days of the discriminatory act. The link for submission of a complaint is:
 
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/.
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
 
Approved: 5-16-2022            Reviewed:           Revised:
 
 

711.1R1 School Nutrition Program - Civil Rights Complaints Procedure

Code No. 711.1R1

SCHOOL NUTRITION PROGRAM - CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINTS PROCEDURES

USDA Child Nutrition Programs in Iowa

Procedures for Handling a Civil Rights Complaint

  1. 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.
     
  2. Any person claiming discrimination has a right to file a complaint 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 in #1 above must be forwarded to the address on the nondiscrimination statement.
     
  3. 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 the description of the complaint.
     
  4. 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); and
    • The date(s) when the alleged discriminatory action(s) occurred or, if continuing, the duration of such action(s).
      ​​​​​​​
  5. USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the six protected classes listed in #1 above, 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 than 180 days of the discriminatory act. The link for submission of a complaint is: program.intake@usda.gov
     
  6. 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/.

Bureau of Nutrition and Health, IDOE, 12/2021

 

I.C. Iowa Code

Description

Iowa Code  § 283A

School Meal Programs

I.A.C. Iowa Administrative Code

Description

281 I.A.C. 58

Education - Breakfast and Lunch Program

U.S.C - United States Code

Description

42 U.S.C. §§ 1751

Public Health - School Lunch Program

Approved 5--16-2022      Reviewed              Revised 

711.2 Free or Reduced Price Meals Eligibility

Code No. 711.2

FREE OR REDUCED PRICE MEALS ELIGIBILITY

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 make every effort to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

The district shall 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 Grade 6-12 Gudiance Secertary 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 Grade 6-12 Guidance Secretary.

Employees, students not qualified for free meals and others will be required to pay for meals consumed.

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..

Iowa Code § 283A.

281 I.A.C. 58.

Approved 9-1-93         Reviewed 12-5-13       Revised 3-15-2021

711.3 Vending Machines

Code No. 711.3

VENDING MACHINES

Food served or purchased by students during the school day and food served or purchased for other than special circumstances is approved by the superintendent.  Vending machines in the school building are the responsibility of the building principal.  Purchases from the vending machines, will reflect the guidelines in the Wellness Policy 507.9.

It is 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).

7C.F.R. Pt. 210 etseq. (2010).

Iowa Code 283A (2007).

281 I.A.C. 58.

Approved 9-13-93       Reviewed 7-16-01       Revised 3-15-2021

711.4 Records and Reports

Code No. 711.4

RECORDS AND REPORTS

The records of the school food program shall be accurate and up-to-date. It shall be the responsibility of the food service supervisor to maintain the records of the program in compliance with this policy and the accounting system of the school district.

The food service supervisor shall report the food service activities to the board on a monthly basis.

Legal Reference:          

42U. S.C. 1751 etseq. (1988).

7 C. F. R. Pt. 210 etseq. (1990).

Iowa Code 283A (1993) .

281 I.A.C. 58.

Approved 9-l3-93        Reviewed 12-5-13       Revised 3-15-2021

711.5 Meal Charges

Code No. 711.5

MEAL CHARGES

In accordance with state and federal law, the Riverside 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.

The school nutrition program is legally obligated to be a self-sustaining program.  Family lunch accounts are not intended to be used as charge accounts, rather depository accounts whereby students can withdraw funds to purchase meals.  Students do not have individual lunch accounts.  A family lunch account is maintained which includes a total balance for the entire family that is reduced when any member of the family purchases a meal, second meal, extra milk, or a la carte item from the school’s nutrition program.  In order to assist parents in maintaining a positive family lunch account balance, the district has the following services available:

Parents may monitor family lunch account balances through JMC – Online Payment Access (link available on the district’s homepage).  Parents also have the ability to set up automatic notifications when the family account balance falls below a dollar amount set by the parent.  District secretaries can assist with setting up this feature.

Online lunch account/fee/fine payments may be made by credit/debit card or e-check through www.payforit.net.  Parents may also check payment history, review outstanding charges, and set up automated email reminders through payforit.net.  A link is included on the district’s homepage

Check/Cash/Credit Card payments are accepted at the main office of each district building

The district will send email and/or mail notifications periodically for each family account with a balance that falls below $10.00

Free/Reduced meal applications are available at each building office and during registration.  Please note that applications must be submitted annually and when household information or income changes.

Payment of Meals

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Students with outstanding meal charge debt shall be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received. The school district may provide an alternate meal that meets federal and state requirements to students who have charged the maximum allowance to the student account and cannot pay out of pocket for a 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

When a family lunch account balance falls below -$10.00 per family member, each family member will receive an alternative meal.  (i.e. one family member eating school meals = -$10.00 balance before alternate meals are provided, two family members eating school meals = -$20.00 balance, etc.) The alternative meal will consist of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk at a cost of $0.50 per meal.  Alternative meals will be provided until the family lunch account balance is positive or payment arrangements have been made with the district’s business office. The district will send email and/or mail notifications periodically for each family account with a balance that falls below $10.00

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. Negative balances not paid prior to end of the school year may be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Options for collection may include:  collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.

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 were communicated to households and staff will be retained.

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

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.

Approved    6-20-2017   Reviewed            Revised  3-15-2021  

711.6 Food Safety in School District Policy

Code No. 711.6

FOOD SAFETY IN SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY

The district will take reasonable precautions to ensure that food prepared and/or served in the school district is safe for consumption.

The Child Nutirion Program is the responsiblility of the district's Food Service Coordinator. This individual should have relevant experience in food service management; hold a current Certefied Food Protection Manager (CFPM) creditial (such as ServSafe); and meet any professionaol standards criteria established by the USDA Child Nutirtion Program.

The distrcit will support food safety training for all school nutrition food service personnel, and other distrcit employees involved in preparation, transportation, and/or service of foods.

The distrcit Food Service Coodinator will oversee implementaiton of a food safety program based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles in each school building where school meals (part of the national School Lunch program and Natioanl School Breakfast program) or food purchased through the distrci's Child Nutrition program are prepared and/or served. This includes venues other than the cafeteria, such as Breakfast or Lunch in classroom, afterschool activties, preschool classrooms, and field trips. USDA and State Agency guidelines for developing and implementing the food safety program will be followed.

Volunteers involved in food preparation, transporation and/or service of food in the district during the school day, as part of the Child Nutrition Program or other efforts, will recieve approriate food safety instruction from district employees as needed.

Access to Distrcit Child Nutrition Program production and storage areas is restricted to school nutrition program employees and others as approved by the District Food Service Coodinaor.

Collaboartion between classroom instructors arragnaing food-based classroom activties and  Food Service Coordinator are encouraged.

Child Nutrition Program personnel should provide technical assistance about:

  • Food Sourcing, preparation and service
  • Cleaning and sanitizing procedures

School Garden produce used in school meals must incldue documentationthet:

  • Good Agricutural Practices (GAP) were followed
  • Teachers, volunteers, and students involved in planting, harvesting, and post-harvest handling received training about mitigstion of food safety risks.

Any food served to students and staff on school grounds that contains any of the eight major food allergens will be labeled with allergen information.

Fundamental food safety and health education, including hand washing and methods for preventing cross-contamination, will be included in the curriculum. Curriculum should be taught by persons who have completed food safety training.

Foods brouight from home intented to be served to others, such as classroom treats, must be purchased in ready-to-eat form and kept wrapped in the original paxckaging or sourced from the school food service department. Foods should be shelf-stable and not require refrigeration.

Vending companies supplying prepared foods for machines must provide the district with documentation that a Hazard Analysis Critical Point (HACCP) Plan or Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) are in place at their facilities.

Goups that use the Child Nutrition Program Kitchen or cafetria area must:

  • Recieve approval from the school distrcit Food Sevice Coordinator
  • Do so under the supervision of a CFPM-certefied school food service program employee
  • Follow all personal health and hygiene requirements established by the school food service department
  • Purchase foods from approved source
  • Ensure areas are left clean and sanitary
  • Ensure external caters are licensed vendors

District Child Nutrition Program food storage facilities cannot be used to store products not purchased by or intended for use in the school measl program. The district Food Service Coordinator has the authroity to waive this policy for special circumstances, in these instances, the product must be inspected and then labled with approriate inforamtion.

Vehicles owned by the Distrcit Child Nutrition Program will only be used for thetransporation of school meals, food, equipment and supplies.

Legal Referens:

Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (2010

Food Code 2013

Approved:  5-16-2022            Reviewed:                Revised: 

711.7 School Food Service Code of Conduct

Code No. 711.7

SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE CODE OF CONDUCT

Code of Conduct for School Food Service Department

The Riverside Community School Distrcit seeks to conduct all procurement procedures in compliance with stated regulations; and to prohibit conflicts of interest and actions of employees engaged in the selection, award and administrtion of contracts.

No employee, officer, or agent may particiapte in the selection, award, administation of a contract supported by a Federal, State, or local funds if he or she has real or apparent conflict of interest. Such a conflict of interst would arise when the employee, officer, or agent, any member of his or her immediate family, his or her partner, or an organization which employs or is about to employ any of the parties indicated herein, has a financial or other interest in or tangible personal benefit from a firm considered for a contract.

The officers, employees, and agents of the non-Ferderal entity may neither solcit nor accept gratuities, favors, or anyhting of monetary value from contrractors or parties to subcontracts. However, organizations may set standards for situations in which the financial interst is not substantial or the giftis an unsolcitied item of nomial value.

Local policy allows for a gift that is unsolicited and of nomial value, this is regulated by:

  • School Board Policy 221-Gifts to Board of Directors'
  • School Board Policy 402.4 Gitfs to Employees.

DisciplimaryAcions:

As outlined in district policy, disciplinary consequences will be applied for violations of such standards by officers, employees, or agents of the distrcit.

  • School Board Policy 203 Board of Directors' Confict of Interest
  • School Board Policy 401.3 Employee Conflcit of Interest  

Legal References:

2 CFR Part 200.318(c)(1), formerly 7 CFR Part 3016(b)(3)

7 CFR 3019.42

State Procurement Code

School Board Policy 221, 203, 402.2 & 401.3 

Approved: 5-16-2022                Reviewed:                           Revised: