Nutrition Services

Need help covering the cost of school meals?

Fill out an Educational Benefits Application to learn if you're eligible for free or reduced cost meals, as well as assistance for other school-related activities. Applications will be processed beginning in August.

It's more than free lunch!

Your Educational Benefits Application helps not just your family, but kids across the district in many ways. Just one form ensures continued funding to support ALL kids in our schools. Families MUST fill out a new application for benefits at the beginning of each school year or benefits will expire! Applications will be processed beginning in August.

Who can qualify for free or reduced meals?

Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster children can get free school meals without reporting household income. Also, children can get free or reduced school meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for their household size on the instructions. Approval for school meal benefits is good for the school year.

• Breakfast is free for those students who qualify for free or reduced meals.
• Click here to see a list of additional resources available to those who qualify.

Need your free/reduced letter?

1. If you submitted your application online, you can go into your Schoolcafe account and print it off. 
2. Check your e-mail. Most letters were sent via e-mail. Be sure to check your spam folder. Please note, letters are sent to the e-mail address listed in Skyward under Family One.  
3. Call 651.351.8326 and request your letter to be e-mailed to you or printed and mailed. You can also request the letter to be printed and you can stop and pick up at the Central Services Building located at 1875 South Greeley Street in Stillwater.

Pursuant to United States Code, title 42, section 1758(b)(6)(A), the Department of Education shall enter into an agreement with the Department of Human Services to share the eligibility information provided by each school for the limited purpose of identifying children who may be eligible for medical assistance or MinnesotaCare. Parents must contact the school district in writing if they choose not to have this information disclosed.

Stillwater Area Public Schools will again be providing free meals to any child in our community between the ages of 1 and 18 this summer. Through this federally funded program, breakfast and lunch will be available at Oak-Land and Stillwater middle schools and and Andersen Elementary. Adults can purchase a meal with exact change ($5.00) or they can donate any money left to the angel account. Meals must be eaten on site. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, there are no income limits. Families do not need to pre-register or submit any paperwork to participate.

Oak-Land Middle School
Dates: June 13-August 18
Mon-Fri (closed 7/4)
Breakfast: 8 a.m.-9 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Stillwater Middle School
Dates: June 13-August 18
Mon-Fri (closed 7/4)
Breakfast: 8 a.m.-9 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Andersen Elementary
July 17-August 3
Mon-Thu (closed Fridays)
Breakfast: 8 a.m.-9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1p.m.

See Menu Below

Parents/guardians may set limits on a student's account, regarding the purchase of a la carte items and seconds. Once student accounts are negative, a la carte purchases are not permitted.

Parents/guardians may set limits on a student's account, regarding the purchase of a la carte items and seconds. Once student accounts are negative, a la carte purchases are not permitted.

Payments can be made online through our SchoolCafe payment app by clicking below or by sending cash or check to school with your student.  Please see below for more detailed instructions.

Refund Policy:

• Refunds to students leaving the district will be made upon receipt of a written request from the student's parent or guardian. (Email foodservice@stillwaterschools.org or send to Stillwater Area Schools, Attn: Food Service Department, 1875 Greeley Street South, Stillwater, MN 55082.) The district Nutruition Services office will issue a check for the balance remaining in the student's account and it will be mailed to your home.

• If a refund request is not made within one year of leaving the district, the money will be donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.

• No refunds under $10 will be issued. The funds can be transferred to a family member or donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.
• Seniors have 30 days after graduation to send a written request for a refund or the money with be donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.

If your family or someone you know needs additional ongoing assistance accessing healthy foods, please contact your local tribal or county human services office, visit ApplyMN, or call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151.
 

We care about your child's special dietary needs

We will provide special dietary requests for students with food allergies and/or other dietary restrictions. In accordance with federal USDA regulations, the Special Diet Statement Form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian as well as the child’s licensed physician before any accommodations are made.

Stillwater Area Schools Nutrition Services adhere to specific regulations to accommodate special diets for students. USDA regulations, 7CFR, Part 15b, require substitutions or modifications in school meals for children whose disabilities restrict their diets. A child with a disability must be provided food substitutions when a special diet statement is signed by a recognized medical authority which includes a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse. Under the American's with Disabilities Act, anything that substantially limits a major life activity constitutes a disability. A food allergy does not need to be life threatening to be considered a disability.

Our Nutrition Services Team will:

• Provide allergen and nutrition information on SchoolCafe for menued food items.
• Provide all managers with Allergen Training to better understand the importance of cleaning, sanitizing and preventing cross contamination in preparation and service areas. Nutrition service staff are trained in proper food handling techniques as well.
• Recognize the importance of communication with teachers, parents, health aides, paraprofessionals and school administrators to better manage the special dietary needs of students. 

Please contact Amie Barr MS, RDN, LD at 651-351-8327 or barra@stillwaterschools.org for questions regarding special diet needs.

All of our school meals provide:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits and portion sizes.

• Daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. Please note: all students must take at least one 1/2 cup serving of fruit/vegetables with his/her lunch meal and at least 1/2 cup juice or fruit with his/her breakfast meal.

• White or flavored fat-free milk or 1% white milk.
• Whole grain breads, pastas and grains.
• Lean proteins from meat and non-meat sources.
• Foods with reduced sodium and limited amounts of saturated fats.

Stillwater Nutrition Services purchases foods that have been specifically formulated for schools, which means the items are lower in calories, sodium, fat and sugar versus what can be found in the retail market.

Check out our menus on SchoolCafe for specific nutrition information for each of our meals, as well as allergen alerts and other details.

Does your child have health insurance? If not, help may be available.

Minnesota Health Care Programs have free and low-cost health insurance for children and families who qualify. Income is one factor for qualifying. Other rules and limits apply. For more information, call your county office or visit http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/health-care/.