CHILD NUTRITION PROGRAM

It is the policy of the St. Clair County Board of Education to provide the Child Nutrition Program to all students based on the parent’s ability to pay. Eligible families are encouraged to take advantage of the free and reduced meal program. The system’s eligibility for state and federal programs available to students is based on the number of children enrolled in the free and reduced price lunchroom program. The Child Nutrition Program now requires one free/reduced lunch form per family or household instead of one form per child. These forms are available on our website:  www. sccboe.org, in your school office, classroom or lunchroom year round.  Families are required to complete a new lunch form each school year starting any day after July 1.  The previous years’ form expires on October 15 each school year. 

The St. Clair County Board of Education Child Nutrition Program participates in the National School Breakfast, Lunch and Snack Program that operates under federal nutrition guidelines, as mandated by the National School Act of 1946 and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 and its revision of 2010. These nutrition guidelines for schools are based on Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA), student’s caloric needs, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

School breakfast provides one fourth of an average American child’s nutritional needs and school lunch provides one third of an average American child’s nutritional needs based on their grade group.  The St Clair County Child Nutrition program is delighted to offer a large variety of vegetables & fruits as well as more whole grains, and low fat and fat-free dairy products in recipes and products designed to appeal to children & teenagers.

Research has shown that there is a crucial relationship between nutrition and health, and nutrition and learning. Experts also agree that most food preferences and dietary habits are formed during childhood. The St. Clair County Child Nutrition Program is committed to taking advantage of the opportunity during a child’s developmental years to promote and influence healthy food choices through school meals. If you have any questions concerning any aspect of the Child Nutrition Program, call 205-594-2022 to speak with Rachel Fowler, MS, RD, the CNP Director.

No adult or student meals may be charged. A computerized program allows for advanced payment of all meals and extra sales. This practice is strongly encouraged as this will help the cashier line move faster and give students more time to enjoy meals. Students will be issued a card to use for meal purchases. If a student loses his/her card he/she will be given a replacement card at no charge. If the replacement card is lost, there will be a $3.00 charge placed on the student’s account for each replacement card.   Children may also use their unique four or five-digit pin number at the cash register.  Cashiers are available in the lunchroom to accept payment on accounts between breakfast and lunch. The CNP section of the school system website provides the ability to add funds to a student’s meal account online, as well as reviewing the account at no charge. A convenience fee will apply to online transactions.  

School menus are sent home monthly with children grades K-8 and are also available on our website along with calorie and nutrition information.

Carbonated beverages and fast food items (in original containers) are not allowed in school lunchrooms. This rule applies to students, visitors and employees.