Food Service Policies & Statements

Protection Against Discrimination

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

How to File a Complaint

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, which can be accessed online, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992 or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
2. Fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email:
   program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Policies & Statements

Food Service, Charging Meals and Meal Shaming

This policy explains how NCSD provides federally compliant school meals, including free and reduced-price options, outlines payment and meal charge procedures, protects student dignity, and ensures food safety, accommodations, and staff training.

• View Board of Education Policy 5660 School Food Service, Charging Meals and Meal Shaming.

Wellness

The wellness policy outlines the District’s commitment to supporting student health and learning through nutritious meals, nutrition education, physical activity, and ongoing monitoring of school-wide wellness practices in alignment with state and federal requirements.

• View Board of Education Policy 5661 Wellness on BoardDocs.

Meal Services to Students With Disabilities

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP) aim to provide all participating students, regardless of background, with the nutritious meals they need to be healthy. This includes ensuring students with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the NSLP and SBP. Federal regulations require schools and institutions to serve meals at no extra charge to those students whose disability restricts their diet in such a way that they cannot fully participate in the food service program without some modification to the foods offered or the scheduled menu. If you believe your child needs substitutions because of a disability, please get in touch with us for further information.

You must request meal modifications from the school and provide the school with a medical statement from a State licensed healthcare professional. This medical statement must contain but is not limited to the following:

• Information about the student’s physical or mental impairment that is sufficient to allow the school to understand how it restricts
  the student’s diet,
• An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the child’s special dietary need,
• The food or foods to be omitted and recommended alternatives, in the case of a modified meal

If you have questions regarding the need for meal modifications, contact the Director of Food and Nutrition.

Grievances should be directed to Timothy Fowler, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services and Section 504 Compliance Officer at (518) 377-4666, ext. 50732.