Food Services
Free Meals for the 2021-2022 School Year!
Dear Parent or Guardian: August 2, 2021
We are pleased to inform you that Eastern Lancaster County SD will be participating in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) in the 2021-2022 SY. This program is available to schools as part of the waivers issued by USDA on April 20, 2021. All enrolled students at ELANCO are eligible to receive a nutritious breakfast and lunch each school day at no charge to your household. No further action is required of you. Your child(ren) will be able to participate in these meal programs without paying a fee or submitting an application. However, we encourage everyone to continue filling out applications for the several reasons listed below in the Q&A.
If we can be of any further assistance, please contact us at 717-354-1581.
Sincerely,
Jami Leisey, Director of Food Services
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: Does my child still need to have money placed on their accounts?
A: Any additional items purchased outside of the 1 FREE breakfast & 1 FREE lunch will be sold at an additional cost. Example of a la carte item is the purchase of an extra entrée, bottled water or MS/HS students buying snacks. Students must have funds on account or cash in hand at the time of purchase. No charging is permitted.
Q: Do I still need to apply Free/Reduced meals if I feel I could qualify based on my current family income?
A: YES! Five reasons we still need you to apply are:
- Increased funding to support student education.
- Additional funding for technology and internet access.
- Discounts for fees associated with the college application process.
- Discounted fees for opportunities such as, but not limited to, SAT, ACT, & AP Tests, Scholarship, Clubs, etc.
- Possible P-EBT payments and carryover status for the first 30 days of the 2022-2023 SY. *See below for application process. *
FREE AND REDUCED MEAL APPLICATIONS
1) Apply online at www.schoolcafe.com
2) Online applications are processed in the order in which they are received. All families will be notified via e-mail if there is one on file or by USPS mail regarding the outcome of their processed application.
3) Free/reduced meal status of children is completely confidential.
4) Paper applications are available upon request if you do not have a computer or smartphone to apply online.
Additional information about the food service department can be found on the district website after August 23rd at: www.elanco.org services
Cafeteria Menus, Meal Account Information, Allergy Forms, Account Refund Request Form,
Free/Reduced Information, and Contacts
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: 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: 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.
Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand.
The Food Services department is made up of a team of school lunch hero's that are dedicated to children's health, wellbeing and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.
Food and beverages sold or served at school meet the nutrition recommendations of the U.S. Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.
All meals are based on a meal pattern. Each meal depending on age group must contain a certain number of calories, fat, sodium, fruit, vegetable (dark green, red/orange, beans/pea/legumes, starchy, and other categories, grains, meat/meat alternates (alternates include items such as cheese and yogurts), and fluid milk. We participate in offer vs. serve at both breakfast and lunch. That means we offer all the components that are needed, and the students can take or decline as they wish.
At breakfast, we offer four components of which the student must choose a minimum of three with one item being a fruit. We offer a variety of bread/grain, fruit/vegetable, meat/meat alternate and milk components. Menu items may account for one or two components such as a breakfast sandwich containing a grain and meat.
At lunch, we offer five components of which the student must choose a minimum of three and can take up to 5. Lunch components include meat/meat alternative, bread/grain, fruit, vegetable and milk. Once again, menu items may include more than one component; for example, a cheeseburger is both the meat/meat alternate and the grain.
To receive a reimbursable breakfast or lunch, one of the components chosen MUST be a fruit or vegetable at both meals.
Each lunch we serve offers your child: Fruit, Vegetables, Grains, Meat/Meat Alternate and Milk.
