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.

Free Meals for All Students Ends with the 2021-2022 School Year

When the 2021-2022 school year ends, so do free meals for every student. While the federal government funded a program that allowed all students access to free meals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress recently declined to continue funding this program. This means all families will need to carry a positive balance in their student’s meal account when school begins next fall if they plan to eat school meals.

We understand this change may cause you to worry. There are important steps you can take today to make sure your student receives the meals they need next year.

• Budget for the cost of school meals (if your student does not qualify for free meals).
  • Information on meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year will be available on our
    website July 2022. As of this point and time the federal government has not released the
    recommended meal price increase.

Prior year’s meal costs:

Breakfast
Elementary Full Price: $1.50
Elementary Reduced Price: $.30
AMS & AHS Full Price: $1.55
AMS & AHS Reduced Price: $.30

Lunch
Elementary Full Price: $2.75
Elementary Reduced Price: $.40
AMS & AHS Full Price: $2.95
AMS & AHS Reduced Price: $.40

• Deposit money into your student’s meal account.
  • Families that do not qualify for free meals can start depositing money into their student’s account to prepare for the cost of school meals next year.
• Complete an application for free and reduced meals (if you feel you meet the income guidelines and do not currently qualify).
  • If you complete the 2021-2022 application for free and reduced meals before the end of
    this school year and qualify for free or reduced meals, you are given a 30-day grace
    period at the start of the 2022-2023 school year to complete another application for next year.
  • Then, complete the 2022-2023 application which will be available on the District’s
    website after July 1, 2022.
  • Even if you complete the 2021-2022 application now, you will still need to complete the
    2022-2023 application as well. A new application must be completed every year.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

School Menus

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. 

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.

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

Spanish: How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Chinese: How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Arabic: How to Apply for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

 Application for Free & Reduced Price School Meals/Milk

Spanish: Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Chinese: Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk
Arabic: Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals/Milk

Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

Spanish: Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Chinese: Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
Arabic: Information Letter for Free and Reduced Price School Meals

Fee Waiver Statement

Spanish: Fee Waiver Statement
Chinese: Fee Waiver Statement
Arabic: Fee Waiver Statement

Wellness Council

The District Wellness Council whose membership includes students, staff and community members, establishes and monitors wellness goals for nutrition education, nutrition promotion, physical activity, and other school-based activities to promote student wellness.

If you would like to serve on the wellness council, contact:

Ames Community School District Business Office
515-268-6646

Wellness Council Meeting Minutes 10/20/21

Contact:

Deb Milliken
Accounting Specialist
515-268-6646 
Fax: 515/268-6634
deb.milliken@ames.k12.ia.us