Nutrition

SoWashCo Schools uses SchoolCafé for student meal accounts. When setting up an account, you will be asked to select a school district. In this field please type South Washington at which time our district in Minnesota will pop up. You are also required to select a username and password along with basic contact information. You will need your student’s school ID number when registering for an account. Your student’s ID number can be found on Parent Portal.

With a SchoolCafé account, you are able to set email low balance reminders, schedule automatic payments when a balance of your choosing is reached, review student purchases online, and apply for free and reduced meal benefits. SchoolCafé also has a free mobile app available for use on any smart device (please note that free and reduced meal benefit applications must be completed through a web browser).

SchoolCafé account guide

SchoolCafé print Monthly menu

Charging Procedure and Accessing Angel Fund Account

Every building in the District has an established Angel Fund account. 

The Angel Fund is used to feed students without funds until a deposit can be made into the student’s meal account. 

Repayment of funds utilized is encouraged whenever possible to maintain the existing program.

The Angel Fund account is available to feed children from donations by employees, private and public members of the community, parents/guardians of students, former students and employees, local businesses, churches and other nonprofit organizations.

Please consider making a donation to replenish funds to feed children in the future.  Donations are needed for continued use of Angel Funds.

Donation Information 

Donations will be distributed throughout the District based on enrollment and free/reduced eligibility status to ensure the funds are available in the areas they are needed. 

Donations may be designated to a specific site if specified. 

Please include contact information with any donation, such as name and/or the organization and address.
 
Donations may be received at any of the schools within the District or sent directly to:

South Washington County Schools
Attn: Nutrition Services-Angel
7362 E. Point Douglas Road S.
Cottage Grove, MN  55016

Checks should be made payable to:
ISD 833 Nutrition Services with Angel Donation written on the memo line. 

Thank you to everyone for making a difference!

SoWashCo Schools will be using student PIN numbers to pay for school meals for the 2023-24 school year.    

Where can I find my child's Student ID or Pin Number?

• Each student's PIN number is unique to their school lunch account created in SchoolCafé.
• Student ID/ PIN number can be found in Parent Portal. Students ID number left tab Today. Pin Numbers choose More then Student Credentials. Pin letters were sent to families by email in August. If you did not receive a letter, please contact the Nutrition Services Department at 651-425-6280.

Checks received back from the bank

NSF Checks (includes checks written on closed bank accounts and stop payments).

South Washington County Schools procedure for handling NSF checks is as follows:

1. Nutrition Services will send a written notice to the person who issued the check(s) informing them of the deadline to make good on the check (and the $25.00 per check service fee charged by the school district). 
2. Nutrition Services will immediately block the accounts of all the children in the household and will not accept additional checks until the NSF check(s) and fee are made good.
3. Nutrition Services will debit the intended student's account for the money owed (amount of the check) if the NSF check and fee are not made good by the deadline date. Debiting a child's account will put the lunch account into a negative balance. The child will not be able to make ala carte purchases until the amount reflects a positive balance.
4. As soon as Nutrition Services receives payment (cash, cashier's check or money order) covering the amount of the NSF check and the $25.00 service fee, all accounts in the household will be unblocked, the debited account will be credited the amount of the NSF check, and future checks will be accepted and deposited into the lunch accounts. 

School Cafe 

School Cafe is a web-based system that allows parents to use their credit cards to deposit money on their children's lunch account. These payments can be one-time or set-up to recur when the account reaches an amount the parent specifies. Parents can also choose to receive a low balance alert when a specific account balance is reached. Parents can also review their students buying history. Register online by going to www.schoolcafe.com. You will need your students ID #, which can be found on Parent Portal.

Credit cards accepted at SchoolCafe are VISA or Master Card, or your personal debit card.

Cash or Check

Parents may pay for school items with cash, check or at schoolcafe.com. Paying with a check, payable to ISD-833, N.S. In the memo line add your students name and pin #.

Parents can write one check for multiple children at the same school. Provide each child's name, PIN and the amount for each account. Please include:

1. Payable to ISD 833 NS

2. Include child name and PIN on the memo line.

Parents have 3 options for handling any remaining lunch balances.

1. Request a refund check, only if the amount of the balance is $10.00 or more.
2. Balances may be transferred to another student's lunch account.
3. Donate the balance to the Angel Fund.

Prior to contacting Nutrition Services please remove any automatic payments in SchoolCafe. 

Parents must fill out the SoWashCo Schoolcafé Account Refund or Transfer Form Google Document. If you need any additional help, contact the Nutrition Services Department at 651-425-6280 or creimer1@sowashco.org ​to make their selection. Any unclaimed balances will be donated to the Angel Fund.

If you are changing to a school district that uses a different payment source, you may want to deactivate your account. You can do this in the My Profile section of your account, on bottom a web page there is a button that says Deactivate My Account. If you choose not to do this, you may continue to receive notifications from SchoolCafe.

Parents have 3 options for handling any remaining lunch balances.

1. Request a refund check, only if the amount of the balance is $10.00 or more.
2. Balances may be transferred to another student's lunch account.
3. Donate the balance to the Angel Fund.

Prior to contacting Nutrition Services please remove any automatic payments in SchoolCafe. 

Parents must fill out the SoWashCo Schoolcafé Account Refund or Transfer Form Google Document. If you need any additional help, contact the Nutrition Services Department at 651-425-6280 or creimer1@sowashco.org ​to make their selection. Any unclaimed balances will be donated to the Angel Fund.

If you are changing to a school district that uses a different payment source, you may want to deactivate your account. You can do this in the My Profile section of your account, on bottom a web page there is a button that says Deactivate My Account. If you choose not to do this, you may continue to receive notifications from SchoolCafe.

Negative Meal Charge Policy

A la carte foods and beverages are considered any product outside of food items listed on the menu or products that are over the allowable portion size. Examples of ala carte items include milk, a second entrée (“doubles”), a second serving of fruit or any item listed under our pricing guide. Prices and selection of items may vary throughout the year and are posted in the cafeteria and on the website. Once student accounts are negative, ala carte purchases are not permitted.

Students may purchase a la carte items using their pre-paid meal account. We encourage parents to discuss with students, what is allowed or not allowed to purchase using their meal account. Parents are allowed to put limits on their students account; however items cannot be denied if a student uses cash to make purchases unless that specific limitation has been added to their account.

The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 requires all snacks sold to students must meet the “Smart Snack” guidelines. 

The Nutrition Standards for Foods are as follows:

• Any food sold in schools must:
  • Contain 10% of the Daily Value of one of the nutrients of public health concern (calcium, potassium, vitamin D or dietary fiber)
  • Be a combination of a food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
  • The first ingredient must be a fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein food; or
  • Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
• Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:
  • Calorie limits
    • Snack items: ≤ 200 calories
    • Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories
  • Sodium limits
    • Snack items: ≤230 mg
    • Entrée items: ≤480 mg
  • Fat limits
    • Total fat: ≤35%
    • Saturated fat: <10% of calories
    • Trans fat: zero grams
  • Sugar limits
    • ≤35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Nutrition Standards for Beverages:

• Plain water
• Unflavored low fat milk
• Unflavored or flavored fat free milk
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water and no added sweeteners

Elementary schools may sell up to 8 oz. portions, middle and high schools may sell up to 12 oz. portions of milk and juice. There is no portion size limit for plain water. 

“No calorie” or “lower calorie” beverages are allowed at the high school level.

• No more than 20 oz. portions of
  • Calorie free, flavored water
  • Other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain < 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
• No more than 12 oz. portions of
  • Beverages with ≤40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or ≤60 calories per 12 fluid ounces.

Other Requirements:

• Fundraisers
  • The regulations do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at events off-campus.
• Accompaniments
  • Accompaniments such as cream cheese for example, must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food item sold.

SoWashCo 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.

Nutrition Services:

• Provides allergen and nutrition information on SchoolCafe for our menued food items.

• Offers nut containing foods at secondary schools and the products are labeled “contains peanuts” or “may contain peanuts.”

• Provides all managers with Allergen Training to better understand the importance of cleaning, sanitizing and preventing cross contact in preparation and service areas. Food service staff are trained in proper food handling techniques as well.

• Recognizes the importance of communication with teachers, parents, health aides, paraprofessionals and school administrators to better manage the special dietary needs of students.

Please contact Erica Pawletzki, District Dietitian at 651-425-6206 or epawletz@sowashco.org for questions regarding special diet needs.

How do I develop a plan to accommodate my child's dietary needs?

• Obtain a copy of the Special Diet Statement to Request Dietary Accommodations from the Health Services staff or from the Nutrition Services webpage.
• As specified on the Special Diet Statement have the recognized medical authority for the accommodation fill out the form in its entirety and ensure it has been signed prior to sending the form to the school.
• Return the form to Health Services and discuss the plan.
• Health Services will give a copy of the special diet statement to Nutrition Services.
• Nutrition Services will make accommodations to the menu based on the special diet statement. If further information is needed, the Nutrition Services staff will contact the parent or legal guardian.

What is the special diet statement for a participant with a disability?

The Special Diet Statement is a form which provides information about the child, the reason for which the diet must be modified, defines which foods are to be omitted and substituted and is signed by a recognized medical authority based on whether the student has a disability, food allergy, medical condition or a need for a fluid milk substitution. The form will need to be filled out and signed before any meal modifications will be made.

Who is considered to be a recognized medical authority?

A Licensed Physician, Physician's Assistant or an Advanced Practice Nurse

How often does the special diet statement need to be renewed?

The form will need to be renewed whenever the participant’s special diet needs to be changed. If changes are not needed, the current form will follow your student from grade to grade.

Can you submit a new special diet statement mid-year?

Yes, anytime there is a change, a new statement needs to be filled out and signed by the appropriate medical authority.

Food Items Containing Pork:

• Bacon - Chicken Pita Pizza (middle and high school)

• BBQ in a Bag (elementary, middle and high school)

• Calico Beans (elementary, middle and high school)

• Cheeseburger Pizza (middle school)

• Chicken Bacon Flatbread (high school)

• Cuban Sandwich (middle, high school)

• Lucky Charms Cereal (elementary, middle and high school)

• Pulled Pork Sandwich (elementary, middle and high school)

• Rice Krispies (elementary, middle and high school)

Milk Substitutions

MN State Statute 124D.114 requires schools to provide one of these alternatives for a student with lactose intolerance if the parent has requested, in writing, an alternative:

• Lactose reduced milk, lactose free milk or soy milk
• Milk fortified with lactase in liquid, tablet, granular, or other form
• Milk to which lactobacillus acidophilus has been added

Juice or water cannot replace milk in the National School Lunch Program.

If coconut, almond or rice milk are desired, a special diet statement will need to be filled out in order to accommodate the substitution.

Consequently, Nutrition Services will substitute lactose reduced milk for students whose parents have requested this alternative in writing. Please send the written request to the Health Services staff at your child’s school.

Nondiscrimination statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form(AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail to 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 to (202) 690-7442; or (3) email to program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.