Apply for free or reduced-price meals
Students have the opportunity to receive school breakfast and lunch at no cost if their household income meets the free or reduced price guidelines or if you qualify for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program ( SNAP ) or Minnesota Family Investment Program ( MFIP ) benefits , but not medical assistance . Applying for the program is important even if you do not want your child to participate . Schools receive additional funding for educational programs based directly on the number of students who qualify for the meal benefits . These funds are used to provide additional educational support and opportunities for students in every school .
Applying for the program is easy , simply go to ahschools . us / freereduced . Even if you have been approved for free or reduced meals in the past , a new application needs to be completed every year . If you qualify for free or reduced price meals you may receive waived or reduced fees for sports or other activities . Information provided on the application is kept confidential . To have an application sent to you call the Child Nutrition office at 763-506- 1240 . Applications are also available in Spanish .
If your household circumstances change anytime during the school year or if you are new to the district , you may request an application by calling 763-506-1240 . Applications are also available at the school office or you can complete an application online at ahschools . us / freereduced .
Unpaid meal account charges and debt collection procedures
Please see page 59 for procedures for unpaid meal account charges and debt collection .
Special diet accommodations
Diet accommodations are governed by state and federal regulations . Lactose reduced or soy milk is available to students with a written request from a parent / guardian . The written request or Milk Substitute Form can be submitted to the cafeteria supervisor at the student ’ s school . The form can be found at ahschools . us / dietform .
All other modifications require a completed diet modification request form signed by a licensed Doctor of Medicine ( M . D .), Clinical Nurse Practitioner ( CNP ), Osteopathic Dr . ( D . O .) or Physicians Assistant ( P . A . C .) and a parent or guardian . The form can be found at ahschools . us / dietform . Fax the completed form to the CNP office at 763-506-1253 or mail it to 2727 N . Ferry St ., Anoka , MN 55303 . Requests may take up to 10 days to be accommodated . Additional time may be required at the beginning of the school year or for very complex diets .
Homemade food and snacks
There may be special occasions for students to share snacks with the class . Food provided by parents or guardians to a classroom should be consistent with the district ’ s wellness policy , see page 56 . Please send only pre-packaged snacks to school for class events ; an ingredient list must be available if needed . Homemade food cannot be handed out to children . Schools may serve students only foods obtained from sources approved and inspected by federal , state or local regulatory authority .
Providing healthy food options to classrooms
The district physical wellness policy is part of an effort by the federal government to encourage more healthy eating and exercise during the school day . The policy is designed to promote nutritious choices for any food that students may encounter during the school day , from the cafeteria to the classroom . To meet the goals of the district ’ s wellness policy , parents and guardians should think of healthy options when they want to bring food to a classroom . You may ask , what ’ s the harm with a cupcake , cookie or piece of candy , etc ., once in a while ? The occasional treat is not the problem . Unfortunately , sugary , fat-filled and generally unhealthy treats have become the norm rather than the exception . Most sweet treats are high in fat , high in sugar , and low in nutrients . In addition , prepackaged sweets and treats are high in trans-fats and preservatives ; many nutrition experts recommend limiting consumption of these kinds of fats and additives . Ultimately , we want our students to have more choices than just sweets . Regular exposure to nutrient rich foods makes it easier for children to learn how to make healthy choices . We want to teach children that the healthy choice is the better choice .
Here is a list of suggestions for healthy snacks to provide to Anoka- Hennepin classrooms . Check with your child ’ s teacher or the school nurse before bringing food with nuts or other potential allergens . Pre-packaged , individual portions of the foods listed below also are great snacking ideas anytime .
• Instead of soft drink / pop : 100 percent juice , flavored water ( no sugar added ), low-fat or non-fat plain or flavored milk .
• Fresh fruit assortment
• Dried fruit and 100 percent fruit snacks .
• Vegetable portions with low-fat dip .
• Whole-grain crackers with cheese .
• Pretzels , low-fat popcorn , rice cakes , bread sticks , graham crackers and animal crackers .
• Low-fat pudding , low-fat yogurt .
• Low-fat breakfast or granola bars ( look for brands low in sugar , too ).
• Trail mix or cereal mix ( whole-grain , low sugar cereals with dried fruits , etc .).
Healthy classroom celebration snacks are available from the Child Nutrition program . We offer fun , healthy foods including fruits , vegetables , low / non-fat dairy and whole grains . It ’ s the convenient way to buy fresh , healthy snacks for your child ’ s class - no more worrying about last minute trips to the store !
Contact the Child Nutrition site supervisor at your child ’ s school .
2022-23 School Handbook ahschools . us / policies 7