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Special Dietary Needs
Menu substitutions or modifications will be made for medically-documented needs.
Our Child Nutrition Program follows a standard plan for students with special dietary needs. We aim to provide meals that are:
- healthy
- likable
- meet every student's USDA nutrition needs
Note: Our plan is based on the USDA's Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 and the Evidence-based Nutrition Guidelines of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Food substitutions
Menu changes are only made for medically-documented needs. All changes and requests need a statement signed by a licensed physician or medical authority.
Students with disabilities
Schools must make changes to meals for students who are unable to eat a meal because of a disability.*
*See USDA regulations 7 CFR Part 15b, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990.
Students without disabilities
The USDA does not require food changes for those without disabilities. We are happy to work with requests from families on a case-by-case basis.
Religious or personal preferences
Non-medical requests are not allowed for food changes (including religious or personal reasons). Find information to help you plan meals on School Cafe, or learn about school nutrition on our nutrition information page.
Diet modification requests
Student Nutrition Services must receive a signed statement by a licensed physician or other licensed healthcare providers before any menu substitutions or modifications will be considered.
A new form is not required each year. However, any changes to a student’s dietary needs must be updated and include a signed statement from a licensed physician or healthcare provider.
Making a modification request
Fill out the Diet modification request form and return it to your school nurse. No other medical statements will be accepted. For more information, see the parent letter below:
- Diet modification parent letter
- Diet modification parent letter - Spanish
- Diet modification parent letter - Vietnamese
Removing a modification request
A signed statement by the parent or guardian must include the student's name, ID number, and the modification or allergens being removed.
Contact us
For more information about school meals, contact:
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.