Keri Hazelton; Director of Food Services

The Grenada Elementary School District participates in the National School Lunch Program. The NSLP is federally funded and provides nutritionally balanced, low cost lunches to children each school day.

For children, the National School Lunch Program provides a nutritious meal that complies with Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  For parents, the program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price.  For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being.  Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.

What are the nutritional requirements for school lunches? School lunches must meet the applicable recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend that no more than 30 percent of an individual's calories come from fat, and less than 10 percent from saturated fat.

Regulations also establish a standard for school lunches to provide one-third of the Recommended Daily Allowances of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, calcium and calories.

School Lunches must meet the following nutrition standards:

• No more than 30% of calories from fat
• Less than 10% from saturated fat
• No artificial trans fat
• 1/3 of the Recommended Daily Allowances for key nutrients

School lunches must meet Federal nutrition requirements, but decisions about what specific foods to serve and how they are prepared are made by local school food authorities

Special Dietary Needs for Students WITH Disabilities

• Student Nutrition Services is required to offer special meals, at no additional cost, to students whose disability restricts their diet as defined in USDA’s nondiscrimination regulations, 7 CFR, Part 15b.

• A child with a disability must be provided substitutions of special foods, including special supplements, when a statement signed by “a recognized medical authority” (licensed physicians, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner) supports that need. “The Medical Statement to Request Special Meals” form must be signed by a recognized medical authority. The Medical Statement form is available below:

  • Medical Statement – English

  • Medical Statement – Spanish

• The completion of the Medical Statement is required to ensure that the modified meal is reimbursable, and to ensure that any meal modifications meet nutrition standards that are medically appropriate for the child.

• Medical Statements are in effect until the condition changes or until the student transfers, promotes to a new school, or leaves the district. If the condition changes, a revised Medical Statement form signed by a recognized medical authority must be submitted.

• For children with disabilities who only require modifications in texture (such as chopped, ground, or pureed foods), a recognized medical authority’s written instruction, indicating the appropriate food texture is required.

Special Dietary Needs of Students WITHOUT Disabilities

• Student Nutrition Services may make reasonable accommodations for students who are not disabled, but who are unable to consume a food item because of medical or other special dietary needs. Such determinations will be made on a case by case basis when supported by a statement (using the Medical Statement form), signed by a recognized medical authority (licensed physicians, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). This provision covers those students who have allergies or food intolerance’s but do not have life-threatening or anaphylactic reactions.

Student Nutrition Services does not make meal accommodations based on personal preferences or religious convictions.

Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians

Parents/Guardians must provide a completed Medical Statement form that includes the following:

• The student’s disability or medical condition

• The diet prescription and/or accommodation including texture modifications and adaptive equipment, if needed

• The food(s) to be omitted and the suggested substitutions

• Which meal(s) the student will participate in (breakfast and/or lunch)

• Signature of appropriate medical authority and date

To ensure accurate meal service, parents are requested to:

• Communicate the student’s special dietary need to school staff when the student transfers or promotes to a different school or district.

• Communicate any dietary change as prescribed by medical authority.

• Notify teachers, principals or after school activities/programs, regarding your child’s allergy/ disability.

Our policy and special meal request forms are also available at any school office or cafeteria.

Please contact us at (661) 392-8758  if you have any questions or concerns regarding this information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: My child has a dairy allergy. How do I arrange for milk-free foods?

A: Please provide a signed Medical Statement from a “medical authority” (nurse practitioner, licensed physician or physician’s assistant). Food items that contain dairy such as cheese, yogurt or ranch salad dressing can be omitted or appropriate substitutions made if the specific foods are identified on the medical statement. There is no beverage substitution available for milk unless the student has a disability. Parents are encouraged to provide students with an appropriate beverage alternative from home. Water fountains are available at every school.

Q: My child is lactose intolerant. What can Nutrition Services provide for my child?

A: There is no beverage substitution available for milk unless the student has a disability. Parents are encouraged to provide students with an appropriate beverage alternative from home. Water fountains are available at every school.

Q: Our family is vegetarian. Are vegetarian lunches provided?

A: Sun-butter sandwiches are available if requested ahead of time. Vegetarian options are also available during the week and on the Junior High salad bar. Families following strict vegan regimes may need to provide lunch items from home.

Q: My child is trying to lose weight. What options are available in the school cafeteria?

A: Portion sizes are standardized and don’t permit “super sizing.” Menus are planned to provide the proper calorie and nutrient content for children within each grade range.

Q: What if I disagree with the schools decision?  

A: You should talk to school officials. You may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing to:      

        GingerLee Charles, (530)436-2233

PO Box 10, 516 Shasta Blvd, Grenada, CA 96097

Q: My child has special dietary needs. How does Student Nutrition Services provide for them?

A: See details above on this page. For additional and more specific information, contact the Cafeteria Manager at (530) 436-2233

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Free and Reduced Price Meals are available to families who believe they may qualify. If your family chooses to apply please complete a "Free and Reduced Meal Price Application Form." The forms can be obtained and returned (completed) to any school office. You will be notified as soon as possible of your child's status. Until notification you must provide your child with a lunch or lunch money.

Only complete one application per family. The information you give will be used to determine or prove your child's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. This information may also be used for other state or federally funded school benefits.

Factors considered in the application process are household size and total household income. HOUSEHOLD SIZE is considered all persons, related or unrelated: Including parents, children, grandparents who live in your home and share living expenses – DO NOT INCLUDE FOSTER CHILDREN. The TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME is the income each household member received last month before taxes - this includes wages, social security, pension, unemployment, welfare, child support, alimony, and any other cash income.

Foster Children - In certain cases, foster children are eligible for free and reduced-price meals regardless of your income. If you have foster children living with you and want to apply for them, please contact us.

• Free and Reduced Price Application
• FAQ's: Frequently Asked Questions about the lunch application

Your District's Scorecard Completed 10/2015

Congratulations! You have completed the WellSAT. Check out your scorecard below. It contains details of how you scored on each item and section of the assessment. It also provides resources that will help you improve your district’s school wellness policy.  

Items with a rating of “0” (item not addressed in the policy) or “1” (general or weak statement addressing the item) can be improved by referring to the resource links next to the items.  Multiple resources addressing school wellness policy topics are available online. To avoid duplicative information, we have included a small selection, rather than a comprehensive listing.

To review how scores are calculated, click here.

Policy Name: Grenada

The U.S. Department of Agriculture prohibits discrimination against its customers, employees, and applicants for employment on the bases of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, gender identity, religion, reprisal, and where applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program, or protected genetic information in employment or in any program or activity conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or employment activities.)

If you wish to file a Civil Rights program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, found online athttp://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office, or call (866) 632-9992 to request the form. You may also write a letter containing all of the information requested in the form. Send your completed complaint form or letter to us by mail at U.S. Department of Agriculture, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, by fax (202) 690-7442 or email at program.intake@usda.gov.

Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).

“USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”