Student Nutrition and Wellness Services

Parents or guardians, apply online for 2021-2022 school year free or reduced meal benefits. The application process is streamlined through the new state online portal at http://mealapp.kpbsd.org.  

BREAKFAST AND LUNCH MEALS WILL BE FREE FOR STUDENTS DURING THE 2021-2022 SCHOOL YEAR, this excludes ala carte and second meal purchases. A current free and reduced application is not required to receive these free meal benefits.

Applications that had been approved for the 2020/2021 school year will expire on September 28, 2021. A new application must be received and approved in order to qualify for other programs and benefits associated with the Free and Reduced Meal application.

• Enhance students ability to learn by providing nutritionally sound and appealing meals.
• Maintain fiscal integrity of the program and eliminate the need for financial assistance from the District's general fund.
• To become recognized as a part of the educational day within the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District.

The KPBSD Student Nutrition Services team is proud to be providing thousands of breakfast and lunches each year to the eager students that are our guests in 32 sites across the Kenai Peninsula.

We are pleased to offer a variety of appropriate meals to the growing bodies and minds of KPBSD students. As we introduce more whole grains, pastas, fruits and vegetables where possible, we invite your input for menu development.

We accept applications for free or reduced priced meals at any time during the school year. We encourage potential applicants to take advantage of this USDA program as an important support to a child's success in the classroom.

Diane Buchanan, Student Nutrition Services Supervisor - 907.714.8890 - 139 Park Avenue, Soldotna, AK 99669.  

Nutrition Info

The Student Nutrition Services (SNS) department for KPBSD is pleased to prepare and serve breakfast and lunch offerings that are both appealing and nutritious for growing minds and bodies.

KPBSD-SNS is a proud sponsor of USDA-United States Department of Agriculture-breakfast and lunch programs. As a sponsor that receives USDA financial support, we are responsible for supporting USDA nutrition requirements and guidelines.

Our menu development and meal offerings are built with these guidelines as a base.

These guidelines include measurements of calories, nutrients, meal patterns and menu entrees and menu items.The guidelines vary according to student age. Other influences on KPBSD menu offerings include:

• Student Preference
• KPBSD Wellness Policy
• The availability of USDA commodity provisions
• Current pricing of distributor foods supplies
• Labor expense associated with preparation of menued foods
• Seasonal availability of fresh fruits and vegetables also influence menu offerings.
• SNS responsibility to limit meal program expenses to the revenue received from federal reimbursements and cash sales of meals and ALA Carte services.

USDA nutrient guidelines include target measurements of calories, sodium, whole grains, protein, fruit, and vegetable variety.

Our KPBSD meal programs operate under USDA "Offer vs Serve" guidelines.

Our daily breakfast menus offer one or more entree choices for the students and a daily option of different cereal choices, fruit, and milk. For a breakfast meal to be considered a complete meal, students must take three separate items; one of the items must be a serving of fruit. Students may take one of the entree choices or a combination of the cereal and one other grain item listed.

Our daily lunch menus offer five different components: Meat/Meat Alternate, fruit, vegetable, grain, and milk. For a meal to be a complete meal and qualifies for meal benefits, the student may select all the menu items offered but must take at least three of the five different components; one of the components must be the fruit and/or vegetable offering.

For more information regarding USDA sponsored National School Lunch Programs and National School Breakfast Programs, the following links are provided:

• USDA Food and Nutrition Service: www.fns.usda.gov
  
• USDA Choose My Plate: www.choosemyplate.gov    
• Alaska School Nutrition Association: www.aksna.org
  
• Alaska Department of Education and Early Development-Child Nutrition Services: www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/cns/nslp4.html

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

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, 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: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, 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:   U.S. Department of Agriculture

                    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

                    1400 Independence Avenue, SW

                    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;

(2)      fax:     (202) 690-7442; or

(3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.