1. Is there a link between good eating habits and student performance in school?

Numerous studies indicate that the answer is a resounding “yes.”  According to these studies, children who eat healthy meals (breakfasts and lunches) score higher on tests, have better attendance, make fewer trips to school nurses, and have fewer disciplinary problems.  School meals play a critical role, as they provide students with the healthiest, lowest-cost, most nutritionally balanced meals available.  And, the fact that they are served in the school cafeteria makes them convenient, too!

2. How do I find out if my child/children qualifies for free/reduced-price meals?

A parent or guardian must first complete an application for free/reduced-price meal benefits.  Applications are available – in English and Spanish – at the School Meal Application Center (800 O’Connor Road) and at every IISD campus.  Once the application is received and processed, the parent/guardian will be contacted and informed as to whether or not their child/children qualifies for meal benefits.

3. Is my child getting the nutrients he/she needs from school meals?

Yes.  Irving ISD has a registered and licensed dietitian on staff to plan all school meal menus.  We follow nutritional guidelines set by the government, and analyze meals to ensure compliance with nutritional requirements.  We do not fry any of the foods served in the pre-K, elementary schools or middle schools, and (district-wide) we serve only reduced-fat or fat-free milk.

Our health initiatives include:

• Offer fresh fruit daily

• Annual reductions in snack cake items

• Offer only baked or low-fat chips at elementary schools

• Use low-fat American cheese

• Offer “no sugar added” 100% fruit juices at breakfast and with some lunches

• Use low-fat turkey franks instead of higher-fat hot dogs

• Use non-fat gravy

• No frying at early childhood, elementary, and middle schools

• Increase in complex carbohydrates (i.e. brown rice, whole wheat bread, whole wheat sandwich buns, partial whole wheat rolls, etc.)

• Increase in use of frozen - not canned – vegetables

• Use lower-fat turkey ham instead of regular ham

• Exceed nutrition regulations by offering 3 (instead of 2) fruits/vegetables most days at schools, without charging more for them

• Use only low-fat Mozzarella cheese on pizzas and in cheese sticks

• Use ground turkey as an ingredient in all of our chili, taco meat, etc.

• Offer fresh salads and “Subway”-style sandwiches regularly

• Offer an assortment on low-fat and non-fat milk at breakfast and lunch

4. How do I purchase meals for my child?

Each school’s cafeteria manager accepts deposits of cash or checks.  If paying by check, please write your student’s name and student ID number in the memo section of the check.  Deposits can be made before school, during breakfast, or during lunch.

5. How can I check the balance of my child’s account?

The best way is to visit with your school’s cafeteria manager.  She will be able to inform you of the current balance.

6. What happens to the money in my child’s account at the end of the school year, or if my child transfers to another IISD school?

Funds left in an account at the end of a year will be available for that student’s use in the next school year.  Transferring students can access their account at any school within the district.

7. Does my child have to purchase an entire meal?

Students who receive free/reduced meal benefits, or who pay for a reimbursable meal, must take at least three (3) of five (5) items (called components) served.  For optimum nutrition, we strongly recommend that students take all available meal items.  Furthermore, a reimbursable meal (breakfast or lunch) is much less expensive than the same items purchased ala Carte, so students who get the complete meal are smart shoppers, too!

Students are allowed to purchase just the entrée, or side dishes, on an ala Carte basis.

8. Don’t kids sometimes throw away a lot of food?

Sometimes.  Although, for maximum nutrition, we encourage students to take all meal items offered, IISD has implemented the Offer vs. Serve Program.  Under this program, students have the independence to select, within guidelines, what they want to eat.  The result:  less waste and increased customer satisfaction.

9. What should I do if my child requires special diet modifications?

Irving ISD’s Food Services Department has a registered and licensed dietitian on staff to work with special dietary needs.  A statement signed by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or another recognized medical authority must support requests for special diet modifications.  The signed statement must be provided to the school nurse, who will forward it to the school’s cafeteria manager, who will send it to the Food Service Department.  Meal pricing is not affected by dietary modifications.

10. Some times I think that portions are too large, or are too small.  Who sets the size of portions?

The government sets meal portion sizes.  The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines age-appropriate serving sizes of meats/meat alternates, fruits, vegetables, bread/grain products, and milk.  Each school district that participates the National School Lunch Program, and other child nutrition programs, must meet the requirements.  Since calorie levels are also set at age-appropriate levels, older children (i.e. high school age) receive larger portions than younger children. 

11. How are the menus organized?  Who sets them?

The 2007-2008 menus are organized on a three-week cycle.  This means that the menus (generally) repeat every three weeks.  The schools use a three-week cycle because it allows us maximum flexibility and limits our overall inventory levels.  The cycle menu allows us to incorporate changing student tastes, introduce new items, and evaluate participation rates.  However, our “quick service” lines (at all secondary schools), and the cafeteria at the Academy, currently operate on a one-week cycle.

Menus are set during late spring of each year.  We use results from student taste tests, feedback from a menu advisory committee, and other tools, to help us set the menu.

12. Why do adults pay more than children for the same meal?

Per program regulations, adult meals must be priced to cover the costs of those meals.  We can offer student meals at a reduced price (from adult priced meals) because we receive reimbursement from the government for each student meal we serve.  Since adult meals are not eligible for reimbursement, we must charge adults the full cost of the meal.

A recent (Summer 2007) survey of area meal prices showed that Irving ISD adult lunches, priced at $2.25 each, are among the lowest-cost adult lunches in the greater Dallas area.  The survey showed that the average adult lunch cost of several nearby school districts is $2.52 each.  

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In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. 
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). 
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.