A nutritious breakfast and lunch is provided each day by Kilimanjaro Catering.
Free and Reduced Lunch
Nasha Shkola is a member of Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program. All students can get one breakfast and one lunch free of charge each day at school. Although no application is required to receive this free meal benefit, filling out the Application for Educational Benefits is still important! Your child(ren) may qualify for other benefits like reduced fees at school. Your application may also help the school qualify for education funds, discounts, and other meal programs. And your home internet provider may offer discounts based on this.
To apply, download and complete the Application for Educational Benefits below and return it to school.
>> Application for Educational Benefits
Accommodations for Requesting Special Dietary Needs
For the Food and Nutrition department to process your request for special diet accommodations, a signed Special Diet Medical Statement must be provided. This documentation must be signed by a licensed Physician, Physician’s Assistant, or Advanced Practice Nurse such as a nurse practitioner. Note that this does not include Chiropractors, Dietitians, or Health Coaches.) Review the following steps to ensure your request can be processed in a timely manner.
- Licensed medical professional diagnoses an allergen or special dietary need.
- Please note that Nasha Shkola Food and Nutrition Department is not required to accommodate special dietary requests that do not constitute a disability, including requests related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference. If these requests are accommodated, all USDA meal pattern and nutrient requirements must be met.
- According to the ADA Amendments Act, most physical and mental impairments that substantially limit or affect one or more major life activities or bodily functions—including digestive functions, immune system, and neurological functions—will constitute a disability.
- Parent/Guardian obtains the Special Diet Medical Statement form—available online, or through the Main Office for new dietary needs. The medical statement must include what food or allergen should be avoided, a brief explanation for how exposure to the food affects the child, and foods to be substituted.
- Parent/Guardian completes Participant Information section prior to providing the form for completion by a medical professional. Parent/Guardian may complete Voluntary Authorization section if desired.
- Licensed medical professional completes Required Information: Dietary Accommodation, Additional Information, and Signature sections.
- Parent ensures the completed form is sent to the Health Office at child’s school.
- The school secretary/health, nurse, and HR and Operations Director reviews the form for completion and contacts parent/guardian, medical professional, and/or nurse with questions as needed.
- The school secretary/ health aid and nurse meets with the food service manager to review dietary needs and provides a copy of the form.
- The food service manager begins ordering food to fulfill the special diet request. It may take up to 4 days to receive special diet orders. Please provide meals or for your student during this initial time period.
- Parent/Guardian is responsible for providing a new special diet statement if there are any updates or changes to current dietary forms on file. It is not necessary to provide a new special diet statement every school year if there are no dietary changes.
If there are any questions or concerns regarding special diet accommodations for students, please contact the main office.
Gluten Allergies: A complete Special Diet Statement is required for students that need gluten free meals. Gluten free menu items do not contain any ingredients made with wheat, rye, barley, or crossbreeds of these grains. Specialty, prepackage, gluten free items (e.g. bread, buns, pasta) follow the FDA requirement for a gluten-free food. Gluten free menu items are prepared through Nasha Shkola vended caterer, Premier Kitchen.
Peanut and Tree Nut Allergies: Nasha Shkola is peanut & tree nut aware meaning there are NO peanuts or tree nuts purchased or served for school meals. Some prepackage foods served for meals or snacks may be processed in a facility that processes peanuts or tree nuts, but the item served does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. It is helpful, but not required to complete a Special Diet Statement for a student with a peanut and/or tree nut allergy.
Lactose Intolerance: Nasha Shkola Food and Nutrition department will provide lactose-reduced milk, such as Lactaid, for children with lactose intolerance. A parent or guardian must make this request in writing by completing and signing the Request for Lactose Free Milk.
Other Dietary Needs or Food Allergies: For other dietary restrictions, a complete Special Diet Statement is required before any accommodations will be made. The Special Diet Statement must be completed and signed by the student’s licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced practice nurse. According to MDE, Special Diet Statements signed by chiropractors, dietitians, health coaches, or naturopathic doctors cannot be accepted. The Special Diet Statement must include the items the student cannot eat and the items that may be substituted. An annual update is not required unless the student’s needs change or Nasha Shkola requests an updated document.
USDA Non-Discrimination 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, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA. 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 Agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, 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: (1) mail to 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 to (202) 690-7442; or (3) email to program.intake@usda.gov. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.