Food service changes made

Our food service department has been very busy this summer. We just finished our first year participating in the Seamless Summer Program. This federally-funded program allowed the district to feed lunch to any student under the age of 18 at no charge. On average, 90 students per day participated in the program and we hope to increase that number next summer.

We also have some exciting changes occurring in our food service department. We are currently in the process of installing new computer software that will give parents the ability to securely access their child’s account to view current balances, monitor past purchases, and make online payments. Parents will be required to pay a transaction fee when making an online payment but this is an option we feel we need to offer.

You will notice changes to the meals we will be offering. Our goal is to offer nutritious meals that our students and staff will enjoy. Menus will look different this year with a focus on preparing more items in house. A perfect example is the pizza we offer. Our cafeterias will make the pizza from scratch. We served the homemade pizza dur- ing the seamless summer and the students really enjoyed it.

Over the next week, we will be updating our food service website so students and parents can be updated as quickly as possible. The site will include menus, forms, information and links related to child nutrition. The website can be accessed by clicking on the food service link on the district website.

Another change is an increase in meal prices. All meals will increase by 10 cents for the 2013-2014 school year. This increase is necessary due to rising costs. Our goal with the increases is to keep them as minimal as possible.

We also need the help of parents of students. We are asking all families to complete and return the free and reduced lunch form that will come home with the children. Families who qualify, receive meals at no or a reduced cost. This form is also used in determining the amount of certain categorical funds the district receives.

We are excited about the upcoming school year and the opportunity to serve our students and staff. If we can be of assistance, please contact your child’s cafeteria manager and they will be more than willing to assist you. We look forward to seeing everyone on Aug. 19.