Meal Information
24-25 School Meal Updates
All students in Littleton Public Schools will continue to have access to free healthy, nutritious school meals for the 2024-2025 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.
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.
-
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!
-
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 |
Meal Modification Requirements
Littleton Public Schools is an allergy-aware environment, not allergy-free. We work closely with staff, families, and students to support those with food allergies and special dietary needs. While we strive to offer a variety of meal choices, there may be limitations for students with specific dietary restrictions.
If your student plans to eat meals provided by the LPS Cafeteria and has dietary needs that require special accommodations, we ask families to review the following information and follow the steps outlined below.
Steps to Request a Meal Modification:
1. Complete a Medical Statement for Meal Modification Form
This form must be completed annually and signed by a licensed medical authority (MD, DO, PA, or APN with prescription authority).
2. Ensure All Sections Are Fully Completed
Incomplete forms will delay processing and accommodations.
3. Submit the Completed Form
Email the form to: meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us
4. Nutrition Services Review
Our team will review the form to determine how best to accommodate the dietary restriction. 5. Response Time
Families will be contacted within 10 business days of submission.
6. Menu Plan (if needed)
If necessary, a written menu plan will be developed, shared with the kitchen manager, and filed with Nutrition Services.
7. Ongoing Support
The kitchen manager will work directly with the student and family to implement the menu plan and ensure a positive mealtime experience.
Please Note:
Meal modification forms must be submitted every school year to ensure we have the most up-to-date information from your student’s medical team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: If my student cannot eat pineapple due to an allergic reaction, do I need a meal modification form? A: No. For common allergens like pineapple or peanuts, please notify the Nutrition Services team at meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us so we can determine the best plan of action for your student. Decisions will be made based on the age, allergen and other considerations.
Q: How can I find out what allergens are in your food items?
A: Our interactive online menus allow you to filter by the top 9 allergens. You’ll also find:
● Descriptions of menu items
● Allergen and dietary information
● Full nutrition data including calories, carbs, and fat
Q: Are menus different from one school to another?
● Elementary Schools: All elementary schools serve the same menu. We do not serve foods containing peanuts or tree nuts as ingredients.
● Middle Schools/High Schools: Our secondary schools offer the same menu items, with slight differences in serving styles by location. Students have increased options at these grades. Items containing peanuts or tree nuts are clearly labeled and pre-packaged to prevent cross-contact.
For more information or support, please contact Nutrition Services at meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us. We’re here to help ensure all students can enjoy safe and nutritious meals at school.
Las Escuelas Públicas de Littleton son un entorno consciente de las alergias, pero no libre de alérgenos. Trabajamos en estrecha colaboración con el personal, las familias y los estudiantes para apoyar a aquellos con alergias alimentarias y necesidades dietéticas especiales. Aunque nos esforzamos por ofrecer una variedad de opciones de comidas, puede haber limitaciones para los estudiantes con restricciones dietéticas específicas.
Si su estudiante planea comer las comidas provistas por la cafetería de LPS y tiene necesidades dietéticas que requieren adaptaciones especiales, pedimos a las familias que revisen la siguiente información y sigan los pasos indicados a continuación.
Pasos para solicitar una modificación alimenticia:
1. Complete el Formulario de Declaración Médica para Modificación Alimenticia
Este formulario debe completarse anualmente y estar firmado por una autoridad médica con licencia (MD, DO, PA o APN con autoridad para recetar).
2. Asegúrese de completar todas las secciones
Los formularios incompletos retrasarán el procesamiento y las adaptaciones.
3. Envíe el formulario completado
Envíelo por correo electrónico a: meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us
4. Revisión de Servicios de nutrición
Nuestro equipo revisará el formulario para determinar la mejor manera de acomodar la restricción dietética. 5. Tiempo de Respuesta
Las familias serán contactadas dentro de 10 días hábiles después de la presentación.
6. Plan de menú (si es necesario)
Si es necesario, se desarrollará un plan de menú por escrito, se compartirá con el gerente de cocina y se archivará con los Servicios de nutrición.
7. Apoyo continuo
El gerente de cocina trabajará directamente con el estudiante y la familia para implementar el plan de menú y asegurar una experiencia positiva durante la comida.
Tenga en Cuenta:
Los formularios de modificación de comida deben presentarse cada año escolar para asegurarnos de tener la información más actualizada del equipo médico de su estudiante.
Preguntas Frecuentes
P: Si mi estudiante no puede comer piña debido a una reacción alérgica, ¿necesito un formulario de modificación de comida?
R: No. Para alérgenos comunes como la piña o el maní, por favor notifique al equipo de Servicios de nutrición al correo meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us para que podamos determinar el mejor plan de acción para su estudiante. Las decisiones se basarán en la edad, el alérgeno y otras consideraciones.
P: ¿Cómo puedo saber qué alérgenos contienen sus alimentos?
R: Nuestros menús interactivos en línea le permiten filtrar por los 9 principales alérgenos. También encontrará: ● Descripciones de los artículos del menú
● Información sobre alérgenos y dietas
● Datos nutricionales completos, incluyendo calorías, carbohidratos y grasas
P: ¿Son diferentes los menús entre las escuelas?
● Escuelas Primarias: Todas las escuelas primarias sirven el mismo menú. No servimos alimentos que contengan maní o nueces de árbol como ingredientes.
● Escuelas Secundarias/Superiores: Nuestras escuelas secundarias ofrecen los mismos artículos del menú, con ligeras diferencias en los estilos de servicio según la ubicación. Los estudiantes tienen más opciones en estos niveles. Los artículos que contienen maní o nueces de árbol están claramente etiquetados y empacados por separado para prevenir el contacto cruzado.
Para obtener más información o apoyo, comuníquese con los Servicios de nutrición al correo: meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us Estamos aquí para ayudar a garantizar que todos los estudiantes puedan disfrutar de comidas escolares seguras y nutritivas.
Additional Considerations
-
Littleton Public Schools Nutrition Services is committed to safe food handling to avoid cross-contact with allergens.
-
At the elementary level, we do not serve foods containing peanuts or tree nuts as ingredients.
-
At the secondary level, any items with peanuts or tree nuts are clearly labeled and pre-packaged to prevent cross-contact.
-
-
Our interactive online menus allow filtering by the top 9 allergens, making it easy for families to identify safe options. LPS School Menus also includes:
-
Menu item descriptions
-
Nutrition label information
-
Dietary restrictions, including allergens
-
Full nutrition data: carbohydrates, calories, and fat
-
-
Our a la carte allergen guides identify the top 9 allergens and potential cross-contact areas in manufacturing.
-
Our Nutrition Services central office is available to help parents identify foods that may contain allergens in advance. Please email meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us or call 303-347-3355 to discuss options.
-
Please be aware that while we strive to provide accurate allergen information, the district cannot guarantee allergen-free products due to manufacturing practices. Many of our manufacturers do not use precautionary labeling, as it is voluntary. However, manufacturers must follow FDA Good Manufacturing Practices to reduce cross-contact risks.
-
All allergen and nutritional information is based on the most current data provided by manufacturers but may change without notice. The district cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information, and Nutrition Services is not liable for any adverse events due to its use. Changes to menu items and brands can occur without notice; we advise verifying specific menu items with the kitchen manager if you have concerns.
For further information on food allergens, please contact meals[at]lps.k12.co[dot]us or 303-347-3355.
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.
