July 17, 2024

Families: The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federal nutrition program funded by the USDA and administered by the Minnesota Department of Education. Eligible participants include children ages 18, and under or those over 18 with mental or physical disabilities who participate in school programs. Most sites can offer up to two meals per child per day between breakfast, lunch, snack and supper.

April 24, 2024

ISD 748 Families:

During the summer of 2024, Minnesota plans to introduce Summer EBT, a fresh initiative offering grocery benefits. This program will furnish families with $120 per eligible school-aged child, aiding them in purchasing groceries when school is not in session. Summer often poses challenges for families as children lose access to meals provided at school, necessitating additional support for meal provision. While most families will receive these benefits automatically, some parents may need to apply. 

Benefits of Summer EBT

• Helps parents and caregivers buy healthy foods for their children.
• Gives families the flexibility to select foods that fit their culture and lifestyle.
• Improves food security and diet quality for participating children.

Eligibility
Children are eligible for the program if:

• the household already participates in SNAP, MFIP, FDPIR, Tribal TANF, Medicaid, and/or Foster Care, OR
• the child attends a school that offers the National School Lunch or School Breakfast Program and the household has already been approved for free or reduced-price school meals in the 2023-24 school year.

Enrollment
Many families will get Summer EBT automatically if they are getting other benefits, but some families may need to apply.

• If the household already participates in SNAP, MFIP, FDPIR, Tribal TANF, Medicaid, and/or Foster Care, they will be automatically enrolled in the Summer EBT program. Households do not need to fill out an application.
• If the household is not automatically enrolled and may be eligible, they can get Summer EBT by filling out an application for educational benefits via Skyward or by visiting our Nutrition Services website at www.isd748.org/MealBenefits.
• To learn more about filling out an application or to find out if you already qualify contact Sue Fibranz at 320-656-3781 or at sue.fibranz@isd748.org.

How Summer EBT Works
The benefits will be provided on a separate EBT card, and can be used to buy groceries. Families will receive $120 per eligible child for the summer. Benefits can be used at authorized retailers, like grocery stores and farmers markets, to purchase healthy foods like fruits, vegetables, meats and other protein sources, whole grains, and dairy. Please visit the MDE Summer EBT Website to learn more.

Children and teens need healthy food year-round to play, grow, and learn. Summer EBT will help families stretch their grocery budget during the summer and provide their children with the nutrition they need to thrive.

Sincerely,

Shelby Tanner
Director of Nutrition Services

ISD 748 Families  - 

I am writing to let you know that the school board approved our School Meals Policy #534. It is available for you to review in our Nutrition Services Handbook (isd748.org/NutritionHandbook), this link, and on our school board policies webpage (isd748.org/policies).  

Thanks, 

September 5, 2023

Nutrition Services: Free meals and costs for extra meal items
Minnesota’s Free School Meals Program is a permanent program that will allow PreK-12 students to receive one free breakfast and lunch each school day. 

Extra meal items
Students may purchase extra meal components and a la carte items if they have money in their accounts. Please visit our Nutrition Services webpage (www.isd748.org/Nutrition) for details or click the ala carte price list.

Student Meal Accounts
The ISD 748 payment system (RevTrak) has the option for automatic payments. You will be able to set when you apply a lunch payment and how much to automatically add for an easy way to manage your account. 

We recommend utilizing RevTrak AutoPay if you are allowing your students to purchase extra meal components or ala carte, as students will not be allowed to charge any extra meal components or ala carte unless there are funds in the account or cash on hand to cover the purchase.

Balance Notifications
Skylert low balance and negative balance notification are activated to notify families on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Low balance notifications will go out to family accounts that are between $20.00-$0.01. Negative balance notifications will go out to family accounts that reach a -$0.01 or more. Families may customize their notification preferences by logging into Skyward Family Access and selecting “Skylert” on the left menu.

Please email Sue Fibranz if you have questions about your Skyward account. 

On March 17, 2023, Governor Walz signed the MN Free School Meals bill into law. The MN Free School Meals Program is a permanent program that provides state reimbursement to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school. The Free School Meals Program began on July 1, 2023.

What is the Minnesota Free School Meals Program?

The Minnesota Free School Meals Program provides state reimbursement to schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program so that students can have one breakfast and one lunch at no cost at school.

Can the meals be picked up or brought home like we did during the pandemic?

No. Congregate meal service is required in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. Meals may not be taken off campus, sent home, delivered, or picked up by parents or others.

Do I still need to complete the Application for Educational Benefits?

It is important for families to complete the Application for Educational Benefits. Applications for Educational Benefits determine how much funding your child’s school receives for educational programs and supports. Additionally, eligible families can qualify for other benefits, such as:

• WIC Benefits
• Metro Transits’ Transit Assistance Program
• FCC Affordable Connectivity Program/Reduced price internet programs
• Some summer camps, athletics programs and/or child cares offer scholarships or discounts.

What is included in the MN Free School Meals Program?

In schools with Offer versus Serve (high schools and many elementary schools):

• At breakfast, the student must choose at least 3 items to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their breakfast.
• At lunch, the student must choose at least 3 components to be counted as a reimbursable meal. The student must choose a ½ cup serving of fruit or vegetable as part of their lunch.

In schools that choose not to do Offer versus Serve (some elementary schools and many schools that purchase meals from a vendor):

• At breakfast and lunch, the student must take all of the items included in the meal. This includes the entrée, fruits, vegetables, and milk.

What is NOT included in the MN Free School Meals Program?

Single item purchases and non-reimbursable meals are not free. Some examples include:

• carton of milk (note: 1 carton of milk is included in the free meal, additional milks are not)
• snack items
• second entrée
• A second breakfast or a second lunch
• Meals that do not meet the minimum requirements
• Meals served to teachers, staff, and other adults

July 19, 2023

Nutrition Services Hiring Event
Thursday, August 3 from 8:30a-12p
Riverview Intermediate School

Stop by Riverview Intermediate School (627 Third Avenue North) for walk in interviews, job applications, and more! Staff will be available to answer questions and interview candidates. 

To view current vacancies - or to apply - please visit https://www.applitrack.com/sartell/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=Food+Service.

May 26, 2023

Nutrition Services: End of Year Reminders & Looking Ahead to 2023-24

• K-12 students: free breakfast and lunch beginning in the 2023-24 school year (à la carte options will still be available for purchase).
• Educational Benefits: Applications for the 2023-24 school year will be available after July 1, 2023.
• Summer P-EBT: Based on information from the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), students are eligible for Summer 2023 P-EBT (pandemic electronic benefit transfer) benefits based on several factors. Students may be eligible if they currently qualify for benefits. If you do not receive benefits, you may still apply by June 16, 2023.