Re: Fed Funded school lunch program

[Guest guest]

Ok, it's really simple, but no one volunteers the info.

Most, if not all, public schools (and some private) received federal

assistance through the USDA to provide meals at school. This reduces

the cost of the meals for all students. Some students also qualify

for further reduced or free meals.

The USDA requires that meals are accessible for all students (via the

ADA), so - in brief - if the student has a disability that requires a

special diet, the school must provide it. Each school district will

have a form for a medical practitioner to fill out. It states the

child's disability, that the disability impacts on a major life

activity, and which foods to use and to avoid. The meals are

provided at the same cost you would normally pay - full, reduced or

free.

I used " serious digestive disorder " as the disability which would

impact on the major life activities of eating, attending school,

learning and recreational activities. Our school tried to fight this

until they were shown that they didn't have standing under IDEA -

it's a USDA/ADA issue - much simpler. The doctor & DOH nutritionist

for the meals program scared the cafeteria manager half to death

about cross-contamination, so my child (and more recently a 2nd gfcf

student) have their meals prepared separately and kept in a special

section of the kitchen.

Try to get your hands on the form parents fill out for reduced

meals. It clearly states the USDA policy on it. I had to read this

aloud for the school admin b/c they said there was no such policy.

Some schools in my state are very good about food allergies. Some

aren't. But even tho it took months to get my son's meals provided,

it was well worth it. It's saved me a lot of time & money, and my

child is happy to get a hot lunch on a tray, like everybody else.

The variety is limited, but the cafeteria manager has really come

around about this issue, and we're now working cooperatively to

expand the menu.

> Some one wrote about the Fed funded school lunch

> program. THey said something about the school legally

> having to make a special diet for the child if they

> have the proper forms from doctors etc. Could you

> elaborate on that.

> Thanks LeAnne