Meal Information
23-24 School Meal Updates
All students in Littleton Public Schools will have access to free healthy, nutritious school meals beginning in the 2023-24 school year thanks to the Health School Meals for All program approved by Colorado voters.
Our District is very excited to participate in the program. Here is some additional information and a few important reminders about what this means for our schools and families.
- Please continue to fill out the School Benefits Application by creating an account with SchoolCafe and following this video walkthrough on how to apply for free and reduced price meal benefits. While meals will be provided for free to all LPS students through Healthy School Meals for All, it's important for us to continue gathering this information to receive full access to available federal funds that support nutritional programs at your school.
We ask all LPS families to please complete the benefits form during registration for the 2023-24 school year. By providing this information, you will help our district access all available funds to cover the cost of meals, and other nutritional programs for students. Plus, families who fill out the form may qualify to receive discounted school fees, class materials, bus passes, utilities support and more!
- All household income information provided through these forms is strictly confidential and protected by law. Only one form is required for all children in the household. Immigration, migrant, citizenship or refugee status is not required when completing the form.
Todos los estudiantes en las Escuelas Públicas de Littleton tendrán acceso a comidas saludables, nutritivas y gratuitas comenzando el año escolar 2023-24, gracias al Programa de Almuerzos Escolares para Todos aprobado por los votantes de Colorado.
Nuestro Distrito está muy emocionado de participar en este programa. Aquí hay información adicional y un par de recordatorios importantes sobre lo que significa para nuestra escuela y familias.
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Por favor, siga completando la Solicitud de Beneficios Escolares creando una cuenta con SchoolCafe y siguiendo las instrucciones con el video con instrucciones para solicitar comidas gratuitas o a precio reducido. Aunque las comidas se proporcionarán gratuitamente a todos los estudiantes de LPS a través de Comidas Escolares Saludables para Todos, es importante que sigamos recolectando esta información para recibir acceso completo a los fondos federales disponibles que apoyan los programas nutricionales en su escuela.
Les pedimos a todas las familias de LPS que por favor completen el formulario de beneficios durante la inscripción para el año escolar 2023-24. Al proporcionar esta información, usted ayudará a nuestro distrito a acceder a todos los fondos disponibles para cubrir el costo de las comidas, y otros programas nutricionales para los estudiantes. Además, las familias que completen el formulario pueden calificar para recibir descuentos en las cuotas escolares, materiales de clase, pases de autobús, apoyo de servicios públicos y ¡mucho más!
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Toda la información sobre los ingresos del hogar proporcionada a través de estos formularios es estrictamente confidencial y está protegida por la ley. Sólo se requiere un formulario para todos los niños de la casa. Al completar el formulario no se exige la condición de inmigrante, inmigrante, ciudadano o refugiado.
More information related to Healthy School Meals for All:
Why are reimbursable meals free?
Voters in the state of Colorado passed Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA) which allows public schools districts to opt-in to receiving funding to help provide reimbursable breakfast and lunch to all students.
Do I need to submit a Meal Benefit Application for this school year?
YES! LPS requests families that to complete this form for the school year 2023-2024. Families may be eligible for additional benefits by submitting the form and it aids in our district's funding. Complete a Meal Benefit Application by signing up for a SchoolCafe account and following this walkthrough video for filling out an application.
What is a reimbursable breakfast meal?
A reimbursable breakfast includes 3 meal items, but some entrees count as two items. Each breakfast must include a 1/2 cup fruit or juice serving as one of the meal items. Our kitchen staff will help to instruct students on creating reimbursable meals as they come through the serving line, but it's always good to have reinforcement of this information at home.
What is a reimbursable lunch meal?
A reimbursable lunch includes 3 meal components out of the five offered (grain, meat/meat alternative, milk, fruit, and vegetable). Each lunch must include a minimum of 1/2 cup fruit or vegetable serving as one of the meal components. Our kitchen staff will help to instruct students on creating reimbursable meals as they come through the serving line, but it's always good to have reinforcement of this information at home.
Do my student's still need money on their school lunch account?
Students will need money on their account or cash on-hand to purchase snack/a-la-carte items, extra entrees or sides, and additional meals. You can add money onto their School Cafe account by following these easy steps.
What do additional entrees and sides cost?
| Extra Fruit/Vegetable - | $1.25 |
| Extra Protein | $1.25 |
| Extra Grain | $1.25 |
| Extra Entree | $3.25 |
| Milk | $0.90 |
| Breakfast Breads | $1.25 |
| Breakfast Entree | $1.25 |
| Second Lunch | $5.25 |
| Adult Lunch | $5.25 |
| Extra Sauce | $0.25 |
Nutrition Services is Allergy Aware
Did you know LPS Nutrition Services is allergy aware? But what exactly does that mean?
This means that we work diligently with staff, parents and students to support those with food allergies. Nutrition services takes many different steps to help support these students. These includes:
- Provide safe food handling practices to avoid cross-contamination with potential allergens.
- At the elementary level, we do not serve any foods with peanuts or tree nuts as an ingredient.
- At the secondary level, any items containing peanuts and tree nuts are clearly labeled and pre-packaged to prevent cross contact.
- Our interactive menus allow you to filter out food items that contain the top 8 allergens.
- Our a la carte allergen guides (see below) identify the top 8 allergens and potential areas of cross contact during manufacturing.
- We work closely with students and parents on developing special menus for their severe allergies. If your child has a food allergy or dietary disability, we can accommodate! Please contact the Nutrition Services Assistant Director, Carlynn Fitzgerald (cfitzgerald[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us or 303-347-3357), to discuss your student's options.
- The Nutrition Services central office is available to help parents identify, in advance, foods that potentially contain allergens. Food service staff is not responsible for notifying a student that an item contains a certain allergen at the point of service. Students are responsible for knowing which items that they can and cannot take.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that products used in our kitchen have been manufactured in facilities that are free from allergens. Most of our manufacturers do not provide precautionary labeling. That type of precautionary or advisory labeling is voluntary. However, all manufacturers in the US must follow current Good Manufacturing Practices as designated by the FDA, which help ensure food safety practices and reduce the potential of cross contamination for major allergens.
If you have any questions about allergens in food items we serve, please contact Carlynn Fitzgerald (cfitzgerald[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us or 303-347-3357).
A La Carte Offerings in LPS
Did you know that the Nutrition Service department is self-funded? This means that the money the department earns from selling food items to students, families and staff, as well as federal and state government funding, must cover the cost of food, salary & benefits for approximately 75 employees, equipment and other operational expenses.
Nutrition Services offers daily a la carte options at all grade levels. These options will meet the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Smart Snack regulations and are compliant with the district's wellness guidelines. Snacks will be provided in small portions and are formulated to be reduced in fat, sugar and sodium. Examples of options include granola bars, whole grain cookies, baked chips, 100% sparkling juice, popcorn, reduced-sugar fruit snacks and ice cream. Click on the links below for nutrition and allergen information.
A-La-Carte Offerings Parent Letter
Beverage Nutrition Information
Families will still be able to regulate which items their student is allowed to purchase by filling out the Student Account Lunch Note form that is available below, from the kitchen manager, by contacting Nutrition Services, or at each schools’ back to school night. Students, parents and staff will not be allowed to purchase a la carte items when their account does not have adequate funds to cover the cost of the item.
These daily a la carte offerings help the department cover operational costs, including remaining competitive in the job market and the ability to offer our employees wage increases aligned with the district. Our goal is to continue to offer the best variety of healthy meals to our students daily ensuring that 100% of our students are successful. Your household can choose to opt-out of your student from participating in a la carte purchases bu completing a lunch note request form and returning it to the kitchen manager.
Staff that are interested in purchasing meals or a la carte items are encourage to create an online account. You can request an account be created here.
Meal Modifications
If your child has a food allergy or dietary disability, we can accommodate! Please contact the Nutrition Services Assistant Director, Carlynn Fitzgerald, to discuss your student's options.
Carlynn Fitzgerald
cfitzgerald[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us
303-347-3357
