One complete breakfast and lunch meal is available to all students at no cost.
To qualify for free meals, students must select certain items and food components to ensure they are taking a complete meal. One milk is included in a free breakfast and lunch meal, however students who purchase only milk are charged $0.55. Partial selections, such as a milk, are considered A la Carte add ons to a meal, resulting in account charges.

A la carte items include an additional entree, milk without a meal or an additional milk, water, second breadstick, chips, etc. For more information and a la carte pricing see the A la Carte Menu Prices section below.

Parents/guardians may set limits on a student's account regarding the purchase of à la carte items and seconds in Schoolcafé. Once student accounts are negative, à la carte purchases are not permitted.

Nutrition Services has added à la carte offerings at the elementary schools following requests from students. New elementary A la Carte options are indicated with an asterisk (*) below.

Elementary A la Carte Guidelines

These guidelines refer to the items on the À la Carte rack, not second entrees, sides, and milk. 

• À la Carte purchases are for students in first through fifth grade and not available to preschool and kindergarten students.
• Students must have money on their SchoolCafe account to purchase items.
• A student can purchase one or two items off the rack per day including: one beverage and one snack.
• Students are not allowed to purchase items for friends.
• Only one extra cookie may be purchased by any one student.

Remember that parents can add further restrictions to the student's SchoolCafe account. À la Carte items are not meant to replace a meal.

Refund Policy:

• Refunds to students leaving the district are made upon receipt of a written request from the student's parent or guardian. (Email foodservice@stillwaterschools.org or send to Stillwater Area Schools, Attn: Food Service Department, 1875 Greeley Street South, Stillwater, MN 55082.) The Nutrition Services office issues a check for the balance remaining in the student's account and mails it to the student's home address.

• If a refund request is not made within one year of leaving the district, the money is donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.

• No refunds under $10 will be issued. The funds can be transferred to a family member or donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.
• Seniors have 30 days after graduation to send a written request for a refund or the money with be donated to the Angel Fund to assist families in need.

For families that need additional ongoing assistance accessing healthy foods, please contact local tribal or county human services office, visit ApplyMN, or call the Minnesota Food HelpLine at 888-711-1151.
 

All school meals provide:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits and portion sizes.

• Daily servings of fresh fruits and vegetables. All students must take at least one half cup serving of fruit/vegetables with their lunch meal and at least half cup of juice or fruit with their breakfast meal.

• White or flavored fat-free milk or 1% white milk.
• Whole grain breads, pastas, and grains.
• Lean proteins from meat and non-meat sources.
• Foods with reduced sodium and limited amounts of saturated fats.

Stillwater Nutrition Services purchases foods that have been specifically formulated for schools, meaning the items are lower in calories, sodium, fat, and sugar versus what can be found in the retail market.

Find menus on SchoolCafe for specific nutrition information for all meals, as well as allergen alerts and other details.

Looking out for each student's special dietary needs

Nutrition Services provides special dietary requests for students with food allergies and/or other dietary restrictions. In accordance with federal USDA regulations, the Special Diet Statement Form must be completed and signed by the parent/guardian as well as the child’s licensed physician before any accommodations are made.

Stillwater Area Schools Nutrition Services adheres to specific regulations to accommodate special diets for students. USDA regulations, 7CFR, Part 15b, require substitutions or modifications in school meals for children whose disabilities restrict their diets. A child with a disability must be provided food substitutions when a special diet statement is signed by a recognized medical authority which includes a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice nurse. Under the American's with Disabilities Act, anything that substantially limits a major life activity constitutes a disability. A food allergy does not need to be life threatening to be considered a disability.

The Nutrition Services Team:

• Provides allergen and nutrition information on SchoolCafe for menued food items.
• Provides all managers with Allergen Training to better understand the importance of cleaning, sanitizing and preventing cross contamination in preparation and service areas. Nutrition service staff are trained in proper food handling techniques as well.
• Recognizes the importance of communication with teachers, parents, health aides, paraprofessionals and school administrators to better manage the special dietary needs of students. 

Please contact the district office's Nutrition Services staff with questions regarding special diet needs.

Stillwater Area Public Schools provides free meals to any child between the ages of 1 and 18 over the summer. Through this federally funded program, breakfast and lunch is available at Oak-Land Middle School. Meals must be eaten on-site. 

Adults can purchase a meal with exact change ($5) or they can donate any money left to the angel account. Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity, there are no income limits. Families do not need to pre-register or submit any paperwork to participate.

Oak-Land Middle School
July 15 - Aug. 1
Monday - Thursday (closed Fridays)

Breakfast: 8-9:15 a.m.
Lunch: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

Know of a student needing health insurance? Help may be available.

Minnesota Health Care Programs have free and low-cost health insurance for children and families who qualify. Income is one factor for qualifying. Other rules and limits apply. For more information, call your county office or visit http://mn.gov/dhs/people-we-serve/adults/health-care/.