EF - Nutrition Services: Unpaid Meal Charges and Prohibition Against Food Shaming

EF - FoodNUTRITION ServiceSERVICES: ProgramUNPAID MEAL CHARGES AND PROHIBITION

 AGAINST FOOD SHAMING

The Board of Directors acknowledgesrecognizes that thesome linkstudents betweenmay nutritionhave andoutstanding learningbalances for meal charges from past school years.

The purpose of this policy is wellto documented.provide Theoversight Boardin believesthe collection of outstanding student meal balances,  while ensuring that healthystudents eatingare isnot essentialshamed or stigmatized for having unpaid meal charges. 

PROHIBITION ON PUNISHMENT RELATED TO UNPAID MEAL CHARGES

In accordance with 20-A MRSA §6681 the school will not openly identify or otherwise stigmatize a student who has payments due for previous meals.

• Students with unpaid meal charges will not be required to physicaldo andchores intellectualor developmentwork andas a wellmeans plannedof andpaying implementedfor schoolone nutritionor programmore canmeals, positivelyor influenceas punishment for not paying for one or more meals.

• Staff will not require a student eating habits. Healthy eating patterns are essential for students to achievethrow their full academic potential and for their physical and mental growth. The Board, therefore, authorizes the Superintendent to establishaway a districtmeal foodafter serviceit programhas tobeen ensure that all students have affordable accessserved to the variedstudent.

  and
nutritious
• foods

  Staff theywill neednot refuse a meal to staya healthystudent andas learna well. 

  While the goalform of thedisciplinary foodserviceaction.

  program
is to be self-supporting, it is an essential educational and support activity and this goal must not take precedence over the nutritional needs of the students.

APROHIBITION LaON CarteFOOD MenuSHAMING atAND MarshwoodSTIGMATIZATION High School

The a la carte menu is designed to be cost-effective for the District and provide nutritious foods and choices for students. The Director of Food Serviceschool will benot responsibleopenly foridentify, implementingdifferentiate, administrative procedures that conform to Federal and State requirements and will also be responsible for informing and communicating to students and families information relative to the available food services at Marshwood High School. 

Payment for Meals

The Director of Food Services, under the direction of the Superintendent, shall be responsible for operating the program in accordance with all applicable Federal and State laws and regulations and with Board Policy. All school programs shall offer varied and nutritious foods and beverages that are consistent with Federal nutrition requirements. Menu input from students, parents and staff is welcome and can be done through the Director, Central Office and/or theotherwise Wellness Committee. Information about the ingredients and nutritional value of the foods served should be available upon request.

Food pricing strategies shall conform to federal and state regulations and be designed to encourage the purchase of nutritious foods. It is the expectation in MSAD #35 schools that when school lunch is desired unlessstigmatize a student qualifieswho has payments due for freeprevious lunches,meals.

payment

is
• expected

  Staff atwill thenot timeopenly lunchidentify isor obtained.stigmatize Theany Director may implement a pre-payment systemstudent in the schools if appropriate. 

  Should meals be “charged” and there is difficulty in obtaining payment from a student, the matter is to be resolved by direct contact between the Director or School Administrators and the student’s family or if the student is 18 years of age or older, with the student. The Director shall submit the name of any habitual offender to the school principal if further action is required.

  Any student unable to payline for a meal shallor discuss any outstanding meal debt in the presence of other students.

• Staff communication about a student’s meal debts must be offeredmade anto alternatethe meal consisting of a sandwich and milk.

  Free and Reduced Price Food Services

  MSAD #35 will advise parentsparent/guardian of the availabilitystudent rather than directly to the student, except that if a student asks about their meal debt, staff may answer the student’s inquiry.  Staff may ask a student to carry to their parent/guardian a letter regarding the student’s meal debt.

NOTIFICATION AND COLLECTION OF UNPAID MEAL CHARGES

Schools will not take any action directed at a student to collect unpaid meal charges.

School staff will notify a student’s parent/guardian by phone or email that the student has accrued meal/a la carte charges when their account has reached a negative balance. 

School staff will offer assistance with completion of the application for free and reduced foodprice programsmeals and(if application is required by law or regulations) to determine if there are other issues within the eligibilityhousehold criteria. MSAD #35 shall establish and implement procedures regarding participationresulting in the programschild forhaving freeinsufficient andfunds, reduced-priceoffering mealsany includingother proceduresassistance that is appropriate. 

A second attempt will be made if the balance remains outstanding after 14 days of the first notification with a follow up in writing.

If the balance remains outstanding after 30 days of the second attempt, the school will work with the parent/guardian to develop a plan. If the balance continues to remain outstanding, school staff will follow such guidelines as may be developed by the Maine Department of Education for the collection of student meal receiptsdebt, thator willtake ensuresuch action as deemed appropriate within the anonymitylimits of studentsapplicable wholaw are eligible to receive free and/or reduced-priced meals.regulations.

In accordance with the guidelines for participation in these programs and in accordance with the wishes of the Board, no child who is believed to be improperly nourished shall be denied a free lunch or, other food, simply because a proper application has not been received from the parents or guardian(s). 

Legal Reference:

20-A MRSA §6601 and 66026681

DOE Rule Chapter 51 

Cross Reference: EFE – Competitive Food Sales

Policy Adopted: May 17,March 199520, 2024

Policy Revised: December 7, 2005 and January 20, 2010