VIEW FOOD MENUS HERE:

https://nlcs.nutrislice.com/menu 

Dear Parents and Guardians,

The school meals program is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, school corporations across the country have been operating with the use of a federal waiver that allowed them to feed every child for free through the end of this school year.  The use of this waiver will not be available after this school year and corporations will return to the traditional eligibility requirements for free, reduced and paid meals. This means that for School Year 2023-2024, our school corporation will process free and reduced-price meal benefit applications. 

The Food Services Department does have the ability to Directly Certify students who receive SNAP, TANF, some Medicaid, are certified as homeless, migrant, or are wards of the state (foster children). Households who are found to be directly certified will be notified in writing of the free or reduced-price meal status prior to the start of school and will not need to complete an application.

Meal benefit applications will not be available until July 1*. Households are encouraged to apply before the start of the school year to avoid unpaid meal charges. Students who are not approved for free or reduced-price meal benefits before the start of the school year will be classified as paid status and meal charges may begin to accumulate starting the first day of school. Meal charges accrued before the approval of a meal benefit application will be the responsibility of the household.

You do NOT need to complete an application if:

• You receive notification that your child(ren) are directly certified.

• You know your household does not qualify for meal benefits. (Please have money in your child’s account on the first day of school.)

*Applications received prior to July 1 will not be effective for the 2024-2025 school year.

Thank you,

Megan Kelley

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

The NLCS Food Services Department is a hard-working team made up of food and nutrition professionals who are highly motivated and dedicated to making our students' health and well-being their number one priority. We care about our kids, and support their life-long learning to eat healthily and be healthy. Our kids are served in a friendly, welcoming environment where our motto is, "We feed our kids, and have fun doing it!"

Mission Statement

The mission of the NLCS Food Services Department is to serve high quality, delicious meals to our students, while adhering to the Nutritional Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs. Our meals meet strict State and Federal Guidelines. Our children are provided the daily nutrient requirements so that they may achieve academic excellence, as well as forming life-long, healthy eating habits. We are always working to offer North Lawrence Community School students healthy and delicious choices, by providing students a high quality, nutritious breakfast and lunch.

**If you have already received a letter from the state for the 2024-2025 school year then it is not necessary to fill out the application. Information required to fill out the application, total household income, number of dependents, and if you receive direct benefits from the state you will need your case number. If you need assistance or have any questions please contact Food Services at 812-277-3220.

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted 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; or
2. fax:
   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. email:
   program.intake@usda.gov