Food and Nutrition Programs

National School Lunch Program Lunch Service for Scheduled Shortened School Days (Early Dismissal and Early Release Days)

Introduction

This memorandum outlines federal and Massachusetts state requirements for offering lunch to students on scheduled shortened school days in public schools, private schools, and residential childcare institutions (RCCIs) that participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP).

Requirements for NSLP Lunch Service

Per 7 CFR 210.1(a), the general purpose of NSLP is to serve nutritious lunches to children each school day. Per 7 CFR 210.10(l)(1) schools must offer lunches between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.; an exemption from these times may be requested and granted by the State agency. Under the National School Lunch Act (NSLA), 42 U.S.C. 1753(b)(1)(A), and the Child Nutrition Act, 42 U.S.C. 1773(b)(1)(A), meals must be served in a congregate setting and must be consumed by participants on site.

In addition, Massachusetts General Law (c. 69 Sec 1C) requires all schools participating in the NSLP to make breakfast and lunch available at no charge to each attending student regardless of household income.

Addressing Student Hunger as a Barrier to Achievement

It has long been identified that hunger is a persistent challenge to achievement. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), through the Accelerating Achievement Initiative, wants to create the conditions for and remove barriers to achievement so that all students can achieve the highest levels. The Commonwealth's Vision of a Graduate aspires that all graduates are responsible decision makers capable of making healthy choices Additionally, the Educational Vision of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education states as its first strategic objective that districts should "cultivate systems to support the whole student and foster joyful, healthy, and supportive learning environments so that all students feel valued, connected, nourished, and ready to learn." Accordingly, if a shortened school day is scheduled past 10 a.m., lunch must be offered.

Implementation

The Office for Food and Nutrition Programs (FNP) recognizes the possibility of operational challenges to implementing a scheduled meal service near the end of a shortened school day. To support districts through these challenges, FNP will allow schools to offer an expedited meal service without scheduling time. Contact your DESE Consultant for additional information.

Meal Service Operational Guidance for Scheduled Shortened School Days
(Half and Early Dismissal Days)

1. Can schools expedite meal service on shortened school days by offering a simplified reimbursable menu?

   Yes. To expedite meal service on shortened school days, schools can offer a streamlined menu with simplified choices for students.

   Sample menu ideas:
   • Fruit: pre-portioned sliced apples, raisins or applesauce cup
   • Vegetable: pre- portioned sliced carrots, celery sticks, or broccoli florets
   • Grain: whole grain crackers or pretzels
   • Fluid Milk: flavored or unflavored milk
   • Meat/Meat Alternate: cheese stick, sunflower seeds, smoothie, or hummus cup

2. Can schools create an ordering system to allow for expedited meal service?

   Yes. Creating a pre-ordering system can help expedite production and can assist in creating more options for meal service. Options may include staff and/or students bringing meals from the cafeteria to the classroom; opening the cafeteria to all students; or, in a middle or high school setting where students are moving in between classes, opening the cafeteria for students to have a quick lunch during their transition time.

3. My high school offers a late morning break where students can come to the cafeteria. Can I offer lunch during this time and scale down my breakfast menu to accommodate a lunch meal service on a shortened school day?

   Yes. As long as the school offers a reimbursable breakfast at the scheduled breakfast time, it can simplify both breakfast and lunch menus to allow staff time to provide a lunch service later in the morning. As a reminder lunch must be offered from 10:00am through 2:00pm unless a meal service time waiver has been approved.

4. Can students take a bagged lunch home on the way out the door?

   No. Under the NSLA and the Child Nutrition Act, lunch service must be congregate and offered during the school day. Schools are not permitted to give students meals to take offsite for consumption.

FNP is available to answer your questions and provide technical assistance at nutrition@doe.mass.edu or 781-338-6480.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.