Food Services and Nutrition

Mission Statement

The mission of the Inglewood Unified School District Child Nutrition Program is to ensure wholesome, nutritious, well-balanced meals each school day of the school year. Also, through nutrition education provided to the school district, the program encourages healthy eating habits and physical activity to promote well-nourished and healthy children for future years to come.

Services We Provide

• Free and Reduced Meal Program
• Nutrition Education
• Mealtime Computer Automation Program

Free and Reduced Meal Program

The Food Services Department issues meal applications to each school site for distribution. Parents complete the application form and return it to the school. A qualified team then processes the form to determine student eligibility for the Free and Reduced Meal Program using guidelines issued by the Child Nutrition Services Division of the State Department of Education. Any information that pertains to the application for the Free and Reduced Meal Program is confidential. The Food Services Department forwards a letter to parents/students explaining eligibility status.

The Food Services Department also determines whether schools are classified as Provision II or Non-Provision II. Provision II schools are those in which 80% of the students have qualified for the Free and Reduced Meal Program. At Provision II schools, all students may receive free meals. At Non-Provision II schools (where less than 80% of students qualify), students may be eligible for Free, Reduced or Paid status.

Nutrition Education

A nutrition education program is available to schools. The program includes educational topics and handout materials relating to the Food Guide Pyramid, food groups, childhood obesity, weight control, and physical activity. Additional nutrition education resources are available from the USDA.

Automation Project

The MealTime Computer Program is in operation at all 18 school sites as of 2002. This program allows for the daily identification of student eligibility status for the Free and Reduced Lunch program using student identification numbers to avoid overt identification.