Administrative Services

2002/03 Progress Report21 Operational Services –

Food Services Department Billie Richardson -Director Introduction

The Food Services Department is a self-supporting entitlement program that operates under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program and After School Snack Program. We serve more than 13 million meals annually to students and staff. More than 88% of the program funding is derived from federal and state reimbursements.

Forty-one elementary, twelve middle schools and two high schools participate in Provision 2 an alternate meal claiming, where all students enrolled are eligible to receive meals at no charge. More than 55% of the district’s enrollment is at Provision 2 schools. Over 88% of the total number of the meals served is to students who qualify for free or reduced meals.

Food Service was one of four districts in the nation to participate in a 4-year pilot program for the Seamless Summer Program. The pilot program, which ends 2004, is in conjunction with USDA, California Food Policy Advocates, and the Packard Foundation. The goal of the pilot is to reduce the administrative barriers and encourage more school districts to offer the Summer Program. Food Service offers the Summer Meal Program for students off track or during the summer months. The program is administered under the National School Lunch Program with minor changes to the rules and regulations.

Food Service received a grant from the California Endowment and the Children Partnership to work with Fresno County Department of Social Services to enroll students in Medi-Cal. The National School Lunch Meal Application is used to enroll students with parent consent for MediCal benefits if the child qualifies for Free meals. Easterby and Jackson were selected to participate, and the program appears to be working well at both sites. Food Service also provides over 70,000 snacks a month for 39 schools participating in an after-school program.

Food Services received approval from FUSD School Board to plan and construct the Nutrition Center, a central food processing facility. Food Service has $17.9 million in a reserved account to fund this project. Total revenue for 2003/2004 is projected to be $27.9 million. No money is received from the General Fund. The Cafeteria Fund pays the District $ 1.5 million for indirect expenses.

Ernie Pyle School is currently participating in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. All Ernie Pyle students have access to this program.

Breakfast begins at 7:30 and ends at 7:50

Lunches are scheduled according to grade and weather