School Nutrition Program
The District’s school food services program operates under an agreement with the Food and Nutrition Bureau of the Iowa Department of Education. The Chief Financial Officer has the responsibility for managing operation of the food services program under a contract with Chartwells Dining Services. Chartwells and our outside concession groups provide food services that are consistent with appropriate laws and the Districtʼs Wellness – Board Policy 507.9 and health education goals.
Announcing Free Meals for Students 2021-2022
The USDA has issued nationwide waivers allowing schools to operate the Seamless Summer
Option during the upcoming 2021-2022 school year. The Ames Community School District has
elected to participate in the Seamless Summer Option during this time.
Under the Seamless Summer Option, the Ames Community School District is pleased to offer a
free breakfast and/or lunch each day to every student enrolled in an Ames CSD elementary,
middle, or high schools. Northwood Preschool Center will offer a free snack for students
enrolled in Preschool and early Kindergarten. Breakfasts, lunches, or snacks will only be
provided for students on site.
Free and reduced meal applications will not be necessary to participate in Seamless Summer
Option. However, an application will be needed to waive school fees and for other benefits such
as P-EBT if your student is not directly certified by the State. Contact Deb Milliken to receive an application by mail.
Grab and Go meals (including weekends) will not be available for the 2021-2022 school year.
Menus and Adult Meal Prices
Nutrislice Digital School Menus
A la carte items are not free. A student may choose to purchase a la carte items if they have money in their meal account or cash in hand at the time of purchase, however change will not be provided, so exact cash is preferred. Any cash amount over the price of the item will be deposited into the student’s meal account. Extra milk will continue to be $.50.
Meal Prices
Full Price – Breakfast
Adult – $2.00
Full Price – Lunch
Adult – $3.85
Need to deposit money into your student’s account? Add money in seconds with RevTrak.
School Meal and Fee Assistance
It is the Ames Community School District’s policy to accept responsibility for providing free or reduced-price breakfasts and lunches to eligible students in the schools under its jurisdiction according to the guidelines provided by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The District may also reduce or waive fees based on certain eligibility criteria.
Information about eligibility for free and reduced-price school breakfasts and lunches can be found below, contact via email at deb.milliken@ames.k12.ia.us or by calling 515-268-6646. The application is available at all building principal’s offices, and online.
If students are eating free this school year, do families still need to fill out the free and reduced price school meals/milk application?
- Yes. You will want to complete a meal application if you feel you meet the income guidelines to qualify for free or reduce meal benefits. Meal benefits may apply towards other programs and fees (required school fees, busing, driver’s education, P-EBT cards).
- No. If you are directly certified automatically via the SNAP, FIP or specific Medicaid programs, you do not need to complete a meal application.
In general, the District will waive fees for students who meet the financial eligibility criteria for free school meals, or the Family Investment Program (FIP), or are eligible for transportation assistance or in foster care. Students who qualify for reduced-price school meals may have their school fees reduced by 50%.
- All families receive fee waiver applications each year when they enroll students.
- Families may reapply for waived or reduced fees at any time their circumstances change.
Have questions about meal assistance and how to apply? Visit our Free and Reduced Price Meals/Milk and Nutrition FAQ.
Application and Information
How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Spanish: Coming Soon
Chinese: How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Arabic: How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Application for Free & Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Spanish: Coming Soon
Chinese: Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk Instructions
Arabic: Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Spanish: Coming Soon
Chinese: Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Arabic: Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Spanish: Coming Soon
Chinese: Fee Waiver Statement
Arabic: Fee Waiver Statement
Contact:
Deb Milliken
Accounting Specialist
515-268-6646
Fax: 515/268-6634
deb.milliken@ames.k12.ia.us