Food Services
As RISE Charter School contracts with the Kimberly School District for the provision and administration of food services, the Charter School is committed to operating its meal programs in accordance with the policies, procedures, and regulatory standards established by the KSD. Therefore, RISE Charter School adopts this Food Services policy to ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state requirements, including the National School Lunch Program and National School Breakfast Program, and to maintain consistent practices that support student nutrition, safety, and program accountability.
RISE Charter School supports the philosophy of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs and shall provide wholesome, appetizing, and nutritious meals for children in the Charter School.
Commodities
The Food Services Program shall not accept donations of food without the approval of the Board. Should the Board approve a food donation, the Executive Director shall establish inspection and handling procedures for the food and determine that the provisions of all State and local laws have been met and consult with local public health districts before selling the food as part of the school meals.
RISE Charter School shall use food commodities made available under the Federal Food Commodity Program for school meals.
Qualifications of School Food Service Staff
Qualified nutrition professionals will plan school meal programs. Child nutrition directors, school nutrition managers, and cafeteria workers, will maintain appropriate certification and/or training in accordance with their level of responsibility. Continuing professional development opportunities may be provided by the District.
School Meals
This policy supports the mission of Kimberly School District: Providing the environment that cultivates maximum student potential. Nutrition influences physical and mental development, health, general well-being, and the potential for learning. To afford students the opportunity to fully participate in the educational process, students must attend school with minds and bodies ready to take advantage of their learning environment. This district-wide nutrition policy encourages all members of the school community to create an environment that supports lifelong healthy eating habits.
Breakfast
To ensure that all children have breakfast, either at home or at school, in order to meet their nutritional needs and enhance their ability to learn, RISE Charter School will to the extent possible, operate the School Breakfast Program. RISE will, to the extent possible, arrange bus schedules and utilize methods to serve school breakfasts that encourage participation.
Schools that serve breakfast will notify parents and students of the availability of the School Breakfast Program. Staff will additionally encourage parents to provide a healthy breakfast for their children through newsletter articles, take-home materials, or other means.
Hot Lunch/Breakfast Program
The full meal program will follow the U.S. Government's Nutrition Standards and offer a variety of fruits and vegetables. At least half of the grains served shall be whole grain. The meals served will be appealing and attractive to children. The Hot Lunch/Breakfast provider will be expected to make every effort to follow the Idaho Nutrition Standards when determining the items in a la carte sales. A la carte items that do not meet the Idaho Nutrition Standards may be acceptable for student consumption within moderation (i.e., limit quantity sold to an individual student). A la carte items that do not meet the State Nutrition Standards may be acceptable when offered on an intermittent basis.
Mealtimes and Scheduling
RISE Charter School:
1. Will provide students with at least 10 minutes to eat after sitting down for breakfast and 20 minutes after sitting down for lunch
2. Should schedule meal periods at appropriate times, e.g. lunch should be scheduled between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
3. Should not schedule tutoring, club, or organizational meetings, or activities during mealtimes, unless student may eat during such activities
4. May schedule lunch periods to follow recess periods (in elementary schools)
5. Will provide students access to hand washing or hand sanitizing before they eat meals or snacks; and
6. Should take reasonable steps to accommodate the toothbrushing regimens of students with special oral health needs (e.g., orthodontia or high tooth decay risk.)
Lunchroom Climate
RISE Charter School will develop and maintain a lunchroom environment that provides students with a relaxed, enjoyable climate. It is encouraged that the lunchroom environment be a place where students have adequate space to eat with pleasant surroundings.
Student Charging
RISE Charter School supports proper nutrition to afford students the opportunity to fully participate in the educational process. RISE will allow students to charge for school meals in the event of zero or negative account balance. Students are only allowed to charge for the first meal and cannot charge for second helpings.
In the event a student’s account balance is zero, or negative, the Food Service Program and/or Executive Director or its designee will attempt to contact parents and/or guardians regarding the negative account balance. Those students with negative account balances will not be denied from any school event, program, activity, access to the food program, or called out of class to rectify the issue. Negative account balances are between the school and the parents and/or guardians. Students that have a negative food service account will have their transcripts and diplomas held upon graduation until their account is reconciled. The Executive Director, or its designee, will develop procedures to collect delinquent accounts. At the end of the fiscal year, any outstanding negative food service account balances will be assumed by RISE Charter School’s general fund for recovery.
Free and Reduced-Price Food Services
The Charter School shall provide free and reduced-price meals to students according to the terms of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and the National School Breakfast Program (SBP). The Charter School shall inform parents of the eligibility standards for free or reduced-price meals. The identity of students receiving free or reduced-price meals will be confidential in accordance with the guidelines for the NSLP and SBP. A parent has the right to appeal any decision with respect to his or her application for free or reduced-price food services to a designated hearing official.
The amount charged for such meals shall be sufficient to cover all costs of the meals, including preparation labor, food costs, handling costs, utility costs, and equipment depreciation costs.
Every effort is to be made to eliminate any social stigma attached to, and prevent the overt identification of, students who are eligible for free and reduced-price school meals. Toward this end, the availability of school meals to all students will be promoted and electronic identification of students and payment systems utilized where feasible.
Summer Food Service Program
If more than 50 percent of a school’s students are eligible for free or reduced-price school meals, that school may sponsor the Summer Food Service Program.
Legal References:
42 U.S.C. § 1758b Section 204 of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (PL 111-296), reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act
42 U.S.C. § 1751, et seq. National School Lunch Act
42 U.S.C. § 1751, et seq. Child Nutrition Act of 1966
Policy History:
Adopted on: July 26, 2021
Revised on: February 23, 2026
Reviewed on: