Food Service

For all other FNS nutrition assistance programs, State or local agencies, and their sub-recipients, must post the following Nondiscrimination Statement:

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: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, 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
3. Email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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MEAL CHARGES POLICY

In accordance with state and federal law, the Mount Ayr Community School District adopts the following policy to ensure school district employees, families, and students have a shared understanding of expectations regarding meal charges.  The policy seeks to allow students to receive the nutrition they need to stay focused during the school day, prevent the overt identification of students with insufficient funds to pay for school meals, and maintain the financial integrity of the nonprofit school nutrition program.

Payment of Meals

Students have use of a meal account.  When the balance reaches $0.00 a student may charge no more than $5.00 to this account.

Families may add money to student's account by sending money to school, dropping off at the school office, or paying online with SchoolPay.

Students who qualify for free meals shall never be denied a reimbursable meal, even if they have accrued a negative balance from previous purchases.  Students with outstanding meal charge debt shall be allowed to purchase a meal if the student pays for the meal when it is received.  The Mount Ayr School District may provide an alternative meal that meets federal and state requirements to students who have charged the maximum allowance to the student account and cannot pay out of pocket for a meal.

Employees are not allowed to charge negative balance to their lunch account.

Negative Account Balances

The school district will make reasonable efforts to notify families when meal account balances are low.  Additionally, the school district will make reasonable efforts to collect unpaid meal charges classified as delinquent debt.  The school district will coordinate communication with families to resolve the matter of unpaid charges.  Families will be notified of account balances once the negative balance reaches $5.00 for single student accounts, or $10.00 for family accounts.  Families will be notified by the Text Caster notification system, text message, or paper note sent home with the student.  Any negative balances not paid prior to the end of each month will be turned over to the superintendent or superintendent’s designee for collection. Options for collection may include: collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method permitted by law.

Communication of the Policy

The policy and supporting information regarding meal charges shall be provided in writing to: 1) all households at or before the start of each school year, 2) students and families who transfer into the district, at time of transfer, and 3) all staff responsible for enforcing any aspect of the policy.

Records of how and when the policy and supporting information was communicated to households and staff will be retained.