Each week in the Elementary Schools, students can try fresh fruits and veggies! 

In September, students had the opportunity to try:

Bell Peppers

Asparagus

Dragonfruit

Grapes

Zucchini

Squash

It is the policy of the Food Services Department that if School is closed for snow or some other emergency, the meal that was prepared for that day will be served the next day. 

Inclement Weather

Menu substitutions are sometimes necessary because of product availability problems and supplier delivery delays.  Your understanding is appreciated.

All schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and National School are required to make reasonable accommodations for children who are unable to eat the school meals because of a disability/allergy that restricts the diet.

The following outlines the Food Service Department of Reading School District process for accommodating students with disabilities and special dietary needs.

• It is the parent/guardians responsibility to communicate all food allergies to the school nurse. The school nurse provides this confidential information to the Food Services Team.
• The Food Service Team makes note of the allergy/restriction in the meal system, which notifies staff at each transaction during lunch. Additionally, the Food Service Clerks inform the Unit Lead in each school of the special diet, and if there is an accommodation to be made.
• Food substitutions will be made as required by the child's physician for allergies covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (severe/life-threatening). Foods containing allergens will be avoided and will be replaced with acceptable alternatives either from the planned menu or with acceptable substituted items and planned in conjunction with the parent/physician/registered dietitian.
• Allergies not covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (not severe/life- threatening) will be accommodated within the framework of the planned menu. Students and families will be provided information to allow them to choose appropriate foods from those served on the planned menu in coordination with the Food Service Director.

The Food Service Department of Reading School District will provide modifications for children on a case-by-case basis when requests are supported by a written statement from a state-licensed medical authority.

Medical Plan of Care for School Food Service

The Medical Plan of Action Form may be used to obtain the required information from the licensed medical authority.

Other Special Dietary Needs

School food service staff may make food substitutions for individual children who do not have a medical statement on file. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis and all accommodations must be made according to USDA's meal pattern requirements. Schools are encouraged, but not required, to have documentation on file when making menu modifications within the meal pattern.

Summer Food Service Programs for children are available locally. For the nearest location, call or access one of the following:

• Call 211 or 1-866-3Hungry or 1-877-8Hambre or
• Text "FOOD" or "COMIDA" to 877877 during the summer months.
• June 20 through July 13: all participating elementary schools, participating middle schools and RKAA City Line (excludes Riverside Elementary, 13th and Green Elementary, and Southwest Middle School)
• June 20 – July 27: Reading High School and Oakbrook Mobile Site

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1. Mail:
   U.S. Department of Agriculture
   Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
   1400 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email: program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.