Menus & Nutrition

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and non-profit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Additional information about the NSLP.

While we have some flexibility in what foods we offer to our students, we are required to plan our menus in accordance with guidelines set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

These guidelines are designed to:

• Increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Reduce the sodium and fat content of items served
• Provide appropriate portion sizes for each age group

Which translates into the following for our students:

• Students are required to take a fruit or vegetable with every meal
• A weekly requirement of vegetable subgroups served to ensure a variety of vitamins and minerals are available
• Weekly ranges of protein, grains, fruits, and vegetables, with daily minimums
• The grains offered must be whole grain-rich products
• Zero trans-fat in all items, and saturated fat limited to less than 10% of calories
• Calorie ranges with minimum and maximum levels for each age group

Once processing is completed, families are mailed a letter identifying students’ eligibility for free, reduced or paid meals. From mid-August to late October, processing of meal benefit applications may take 7-10 days once received due to the large volume of forms received.

Families are encouraged to complete the current year application as early as possible to ensure that a student’s eligibility status is properly established early in the school year.

Yes. Students returning to Athlos Academy of Utah start the first 30 days of the school year retaining their prior year’s eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. Families are encouraged during that initial time period to submit a current year application for processing. Families who do not submit a current year application (found above) for their student during the first 30 school days will roll over to the paid status on the 31st school day.

Families are responsible for the cost of school meals prior to eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals being established.

Yes. While applications for the current year are typically submitted between August through October if a family’s income or household size changes during the year an application can be submitted to determine eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals.

Yes, but a Special Dietary Needs Request must be submitted to Food and Nutrition Services to ensure that proper foods are provided.

Under federal regulations, a Special Dietary Needs Request must be completed by a Licensed Physician (when identifying a disability such as a life-threatening food allergy or diabetes) or a Recognized Medical Authority (RMA) when identifying a non-disabling medical condition such as a food intolerance. For Special Dietary Needs Request purposes, an RMA includes a Licensed Physician, Doctor of Osteopathy, Licensed Physician’s Assistant, ARNP or Licensed Naturopathic Physician. Personal or religious food preferences such as vegan, vegetarian or halal, do not meet the definition of a disabling or non-disabling medical condition for which a special school meal will be provided. Families and students are encouraged to become familiar with the school meal menu to identify the days when these menu options are readily available. Forms may also be requested by contacting the school’s office.

Managing food allergies in school is a team effort; our kitchen staff work collaboratively with school administration and our school nurse to ensure that the needs of students with food allergies are addressed. On a daily basis, our menus provide students with menu choices allowing each child to select food items that meet their taste preferences and allergy needs.

If your child has a special diet concern, please be sure to complete the Special Dietary Needs Request form and submit a copy to the main office. Accommodations will be made as necessary.

Listed below are the eight most common food allergies found among children and adults.

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.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, 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.