Program Goal - Provide nutritious, appetizing meals for students at a reasonable price in a pleasant environment

Since 1946 the United States Department of Agriculture has been determining the nutritional requirements for the breakfasts, lunches and snacks that are offered every school day in our nations schools.  The DCSD Food & Nutrition Services division  follows the USDA guidelines for all meals; pursues the reduction of fats, sugars and salt in school meals; and encourages the consumption of more fruits, vegetables, and bread and grain products.  Each lunch meal provides one-third and each breakfast one-fourth of a student’s daily nutritional requirements.

Research shows that children have a longer attention span, improved behavior, improved test scores, and better attendance when they start their day with breakfast.  School meals are an important part of the total educational experience.  The Food & Nutrition Service teaches healthy eating habits and encourages sampling of new foods by introducing a wide variety of foods.  The school meal patterns can help form healthy eating habits that will last a lifetime.

A Registered Dietitian, a Field Specialist, and 11 American School Food Service Assn. certified managers administer the Food & Nutrition Services Department. An office staff of four, and almost 200 highly trained cooks, cashiers, workers, aide/supervisors and van drivers prepare, serve and deliver the meals.  Each day approximately 12,000 lunches, 5000 breakfasts, and 1800 snacks are served to students in 31 locations.  During the summer nearly 3,000 hungry children are served daily at various schools and parks.

DCSD Food & Nutrition Services is non-profit and self-supporting. Our own revenues, rather than DCSD funds cover the food, labor, supplies and equipment expenses.  Any profits generated from ala Carte and adult sales are invested back into the department to enhance and improve it.  Each year the department purchases over $2 million dollars worth of food from local suppliers and distributors.

What does it cost?
School meals are economical, often costing less than what you spend to prepare meals at home.  The Food & Nutrition Services Department strives to keep the meal prices low while maintaining quality and nutritional standards.  The larger portions and more variety increase the cost of meals to older students. 

Milk is available in 1% fat, low fat chocolate, skim, whole and strawberry flavors.  The half pint cartons may be purchased for $ .40 per carton.

Charge Policy
Although meals and milk can be purchased daily, prepayment for 5, 10 or 20 days is encouraged.  Students are less likely to forget money or run out and it is more convenient for parents.  Charging/credit meals are not allowed for secondary students.  Cashiers will verbally remind the students when the account is low. 

For elementary students, a reminder notice or low balance notice will be sent home with the child.   The Superintendent approved elementary charge policy is:

Day 1:  Student will receive a lunch.  Must repay the cost of the lunch ($1.60).
Day 2:  Student will receive a peanut butter or cheese sandwich and a carton of milk.  Must repay cost of the milk ($.40).

If there are charges on the elementary student’s account, any money sent will be applied to the charges before being used for the current day’s meal. 

The computer based accounting system; School Nutrition Accountability Program (SNAP) is used in all of our school cafeteria. To make SNAP prepayments via credit cards use either the toll free number (1-800-479-3531) or the web site www.MyLunchMoney.com  Payments will be credited to the student's account within 48 hours.  Checks or cash may also be sent to the school food service cashier with your child.

Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications
Free and reduced price meal applications are available at any school cafeteria, school office or the Food & Nutrition Services Office.  The application can be completed at almost anytime throughout the school year.  The reduced price breakfast is $.25 and the reduced price lunch is $ .40 for all grade levels.  Free or reduced priced meals cannot be provided unless the family has an approved application completed in a timely fashion. Questions and applications can be directed to Michelle Butcher, 386-4780 or butcherm@davenportschools.org.

Meal Service
A Registered Dietitian and a team of Food and Nutrition staff plan meals.  Menus are based on the USDA nutritional requirements.  Portion sizes vary by age group.  Even at the elementary level we offer an entrée alternate choice everyday.  Elementary age children select from the food bar the fruits and vegetables necessary to complete their meal.  Elementary schools do not have production kitchens.  The food is prepared daily at an intermediate or high school and transported to the elementary school in electrically heated mobile units to ensure food safety and quality. 

Catering
Catering service for District sponsored events is available.  A catalog with the many delicious choices of breakfast pastries, desserts, fruit and vegetable trays, cheese trays, beverages, boxed meals, and complete sit down dinners is available.  Please call the Food & Nutrition Services office for a copy or call our catering manager, Sharon Seemann at North High School Cafeteria (388-9846).

Production kitchens and the elementary schools they satellite to: