710 - School Food Services

710 - School Food Services dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 10:52

710.01 - 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 Kitchen Manager for food service to employee groups, concession stand manager, 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 Kitchen Manager 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 and prohibitions on purchasing food products misbranded as meat or egg products, or cultivated-protein food products in accordance with applicable laws.

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.

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

Cross References:  710.02 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
   710.03 Vending Machines
   710.04 Meal Charges

Approved: 5/16/2016, 6/12/2017, 8/20/2018, 8/16/2021, 8/18/2025
Reviewed: 7/21/2025
Revised: 7/21/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 14:43

710.01E(1) - 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, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

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 State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

Fax: (202) 690-7442; or

Email: program.intake@usda.gov

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender

Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement

This CNP provider does not discriminate in its educational programs, activities and employment practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, creed, sexual orientation, age (for employment), actual or potential parental, family, or marital status (for programs). There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy or for information about the district’s grievance procedures, by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270; phone number 515-281-4121 or 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

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

Cross References: 710.02 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
710.03 Vending Machines
710.04 Meal Charges

Approved: 8/15/2022, 8/18/2025, 6/17/2026
Reviewed: 5/20/2026
Revised: 5/20/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 14:46

710.01E(2) - Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights Complaint Form

Complaint Contact Information:

Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Street Address, City, State, Zip: ____________________________________________________________________________

County: _____________________________ Area Code/Phone: __________________________________________________

Email Address: _________________________________________________________________________________________

Complaint Information:

1. Specific name and location of the entity and individual delivering the service or benefit:

2. 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:

3. On what basis does the complainant feel discrimination exists (race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, creed, sexual orientation, religion, actual/potential parental/family/marital status)?

4. List the names, titles, and business addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the alleged discriminatory action:

5. List the date(s) during which the alleged discriminatory actions occurred, or if continuing, the duration of such actions:

________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Date complaint received: __________________________________________________________________________

7. Person receiving complaint: ________________________________________________________________________

8. Action(s) taken:

The USDA is the cognizant agency for the Child Nutrition Programs listed and therefore is the first contact for the following protected classes of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity 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

In Iowa, additional protected classes also include actual or potential parental, family or marital status, sexual orientation, and creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence. The address for Iowa complaints is: Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 6200 Park Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270; phone number 515-281-4121, 800-457-4416; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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

Cross References: 710.02 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
710.03 Vending Machines
710.04 Meal Charges

Approved: 8/15/2022, 8/18/2025, 6/17/2026
Reviewed: 5/20/2026
Revised: 5/20/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 14:58

710.01R(1) - School Nutrition Program Civil Right 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, religion or creed and complaints can be filed up to 300 days of occurrence. The address for Iowa complaints is: Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 100, Des Moines, IA 50321-1270; 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

Cross References: 710.02 Free or Reduced Cost Meals Eligibility
710.03 Vending Machines
710.04 Meal Charges

Approved: 8/15/2022, 8/18/2025
Reviewed: 7/21/2025
Revised: 7/21/2025

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 15:01

710.02 - Free or Reduced Cost 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 shall make reasonable efforts to prevent the overt identification of students who are eligible for free and reduced price meals.

The district shall at least twice 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 District Office Manager 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 District Office Manager.

If a student owes money for five or more meals, the District Office Manager may contact the student’s parent or guardian to provide information regarding the application for free or reduced price meals. The school is encouraged to provide reimbursable meals to students who request reimbursable meals unless the students’ parent or guardian has specifically provided written direction to the school to withhold a meal from the student.

Employees 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.

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

C.F.R. - Code of Federal Regulations Description
7 C.F.R. § 210.23 Agriculture - National School Lunch Program

Cross References: 710.01 School Nutrition Program
710.01-R(1) School Nutrition Program - School Nutrition Program Civil Rights Complaints Procedure
710.01-E(1) School Nutrition Program - School Nutrition Program Notices of Nondiscrimination
710.01-E(2) School Nutrition Program - Child Nutrition Programs Civil Rights Complaint Form
710.03 Vending Machines
710.04 Meal Charges

Approved: 5/16/2016, 6/12/2017, 8/16/2021, 6/17/2026
Reviewed: 5/20/2026
Revised: 5/20/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 15:19

710.03 - 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 507.09.

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.
7 C.F.R. Pt. 210 et seq.
Iowa Code ch. 283A
281 I.A.C. 58.

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: 5/16/2016, 8/16/2021, 6/17/2026
Reviewed: 5/20/2026
Revised: 5/20/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 15:25

710.04 - Meal Charges

In accordance with state and federal law, the North Tama County 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 nonprofit school nutrition program.

Payment of Meals

Meal purchases are to be prepaid before meal service begins. Students who do not have sufficient funds shall not be allowed to charge for second meals or a la carte items until the student account has a positive balance.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases. Schools are encouraged to provide a reimbursable meal to students with outstanding meal charge debt. If an alternate meal is provided, the meal must be the same meal presented in the same manner to any student requesting an alternate meal.

Negative Account Balances

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 the student’s parent or guardian to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Parents or guardians will be notified through the school information system of an outstanding negative balance once the student account reaches $5.00 or less. If a student account reaches a negative balance of $30.00 or more, it will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for further communication to resolve the matter of unpaid charges. Options may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.

Unpaid Student Meals Account

The district will establish an unpaid student meals account in a school nutrition fund. Funds from private sources and funds from the district flexibility account may be deposited into the unpaid school meals account in accordance with the law. Funds deposited into this account shall be used only to pay individual student meal debt.

Communication of the Policy

The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided in the student handbook 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.

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: 5/16/2016, 6/12/2017, 12/17/2018, 8/16/2021, 6/17/2026
Reviewed: 5/20/2026
Revised: 5/20/2026

dawn.gibson.cm… Fri, 06/26/2026 - 15:30