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
Now that daily breakfast and lunch meals are free, there will no longer be a "low balance" Skylert notification when accounts reach $20 or less. Skylert Negative Balance notifications (beginning when accounts reach -$0.01) will be activated to notify families if they have a negative balance to pay. These notifications will go out on Tuesday mornings. 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.