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Northfield Public Schools

  • Yogurt Parfaits
    Fruit and Yogurt Parfait
  • Green Beans
    Farm Fresh Green Beans
  • Students sampling smoothies
    Students sampling smoothies
  • Lunch Tray
    Lunch Tray with Fireside Apple, Whole Grain Chicken Sandwich, Farm Fresh Squash and Fresh Vegetables
  • Fruit and Veggie Bar
    Fruit and Veggie Bar
  • Students Eating Lunch Meal
    Students Eating Lunch Meal
  • Watermelon
    Farm Fresh Watermelon
  • Lunch Tray with Ferndale Farms Turkey Breast, Whole Grain Dinner Roll, Vegetables and "Super Food" Blueberries
  • Celebrating World Language Week- HS Lunch Tray with Bean or Chicken Burrito, mango salsa, guacamole and cinnamon spiced plantains.

Child Nutrition Services

Fueling Student Learning With Nutritious Food

Our mission is to provide quality nutritious meals that support the growth and development of our students to fuel their learning. Our cafeterias continue to meet challenging federal nutrition standards for school meals and snacks, ensuring that they are healthy and well balanced and include fresh, local foods.

For questions regarding payments, account balances or invoices, please contact Stephanie DeAdder at 507.663.0618 or Stephany Stromme at 507.645.3432. Please place calls to the kitchen managers before 10:30 a.m. or after 12:30 p.m.

Child Nutrition Services Staff

What’s Happening

Distance Learning Meals

Our free meal program has been extended through the end of school year 2021-22, as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. All students enrolled in the school district for on-site learning will receive free breakfast and lunch every day. 

Milk is included in the price of a breakfast and lunch meal. Students who take milk only at meals will be charged $0.50 per carton.  Extra milks are not allowed at this time.  Please know that if your child is bringing lunch from home and ordering milk they will be charged $.50.

Even though all students will be receiving free meals during this time, it is REALLY IMPORTANT that you complete the meal benefit application if your family has been approved in the past or if you feel your family may qualify for these benefits.  Our schools receive funding to support students based on the number of families that qualify for free or reduced meals.  You may also receive reduced rates for fee based activities.

Please see menu section below for specific meal information at your child’s school.

Menus

FARM to school

We continue to grow our Farm-to-School initiative, with local products indicated by a MN logo on the menus.  Watch for all-beef grass fed hot dogs from Thousand Hills in Cannon Falls, Turkey from Ferndale Farms in Cannon Falls and apples from Fireside Orchard in Northfield.  We will also be working with The Good Acre to provide produce from several local farms such as Open Hands, Sogn Valley and Seed’s Farm.  All schools serve both hot and cold vegetables daily to offer a wide variety of choices.

 

Burrito Line – Discontinued until further notice due to Covid-19 restrictions

We will be offering a “Build Your Own Burrito” line at the high school on Tuesdays and the middle school on Wednesdays located in the salad bar line.  Students have the option of creating a whole grain, soft-shell burrito or a burrito bowl with a variety of fresh vegetable toppings.

Grill line – Due to COVID 19 Restrictions we will be Serving Items from this line directly to the students.

We will be offering a Raider Nation Grill’d Greats line daily at the high school and middle school. This line will allow students to choose an entree from a two week menu rotation and select a variety of fresh fruits and veggies to make a complete meal.

Natural Breakfast Cereal

Child Nutrition Services continues looking at ways to incorporate more foods with cleaner labels.  As part of this initiative many of our cereals and hot breakfast items will have no artificial colors and no artificial flavorings.

Smart Snacks

We continue to make annual changes to our snack and ala carte products to meet the USDA competitive foods final rule and the Healthier US School Challenge guidelines. We will continue to make changes to be in compliance with guidelines and to provide nutritional alternatives to supplement our main menu.

Apply for Free/Reduced Lunch

Free or reduced price meals are available for students whose family qualifies. The appropriate form must be completed each school year and submitted to Child Nutrition Services for review and approval. Applications are available online, at each principal’s office, each school kitchen and are mailed to each household in August. If an application is needed in a different language please contact Child Nutrition Services.

Minnesota Health Care Programs (Spanish form) also have free and low-cost health insurance for families who qualify.

  • Application Timeline

    Our school provides healthy meals each day. The United States Department of Agriculture is allowing schools to provide meals for the 2021-22 school year through a provision of the National School Lunch Program called the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). A waiver has been issued in order to support access to nutritious meals while minimizing potential exposure to COVD-19. Our school district has chosen to use this waiver and operate the SSO which enables us to provide meals free of charge for all students. No application is required to receive this free meal benefit.

    However, your child(ren) may qualify additional benefits such as reduced fees or the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) which is a federal temporary emergency nutrition benefit that is loaded onto electronic cards for families to purchase food. At public schools, your application also helps the school qualify for education funds and discounts. To apply, complete the enclosed Application for Educational Benefits following the instructions.

    Child Nutrition Services will review applications on a timely basis, however, it may take 7-10 days for an application to be reviewed.  A response will be sent to the parents/guardian by email.  Letters are also available on the Skyward Family Access account under the Food Service tab. Please save this letter as proof of benefits for other school programs.  If a letter is not available a WAIVER OF CONFIDENTIALITY FORM (Spanish form) will need to be completed before Child Nutrition Services can release your child’s meal eligibility status.  Benefits from the previous school year will be carried over until October 20, 2021. Applications may be completed at any time throughout the year, however, any family that has not reapplied by October 20 will be changed to full-priced meals until a new application is received to determine meal eligibility. Families receiving MFIP, Food Stamps or FDPIR and enrolled in Northfield Public Schools by June 15 for the following year will be directly certified by the State of Minnesota to receive free meals and may not need to complete an application. Payment will be required for any meals purchased prior to the approval of the application.

    In 2014, Minnesota was the second state to pass into law that all children who qualify for free or reduced priced meals will receive meals for free. Minnesota continues to lead with these efforts to eliminate childhood hunger and ensure that we provide children the food they need to be successful.

    Households qualifying for free and reduced price meals for the 2021-22 school year will continue to receive breakfast & lunch at no charge.  The bill referenced above also included the financial resources to provide all kindergartners with free breakfast regardless of their household eligibility.

  • Online & Print Applications
    Online Applications

    Families can now complete the educational benefits application online through Family Access. If you wish to complete your application online, you must first login to Family Access. After logging in, click the Food Service button located on the left side of the screen and select a child’s name. Click the applications tab and follow the prompts to complete the application.

    English –
    2021-22 Educational Benefits Application
    2021-22 Educational Benefits Application Instructions

    Spanish –
    2021-22 Educational Benefits Application
    2021-22 Educational Benefits Application Instructions

     

Payments & Pricing

Students and staff may purchase meals and food items by submitting a payment to their meal account or by making a payment at the time of service. New students and staff are assigned an individual meal account with a 4-digit personal identification number (PIN). Returning students use the same PIN as in the previous year.

For questions regarding payments, account balances or invoices, please contact Administrative Support Assistant Stephanie DeAdder, at 507.663.0618, or Child Nutrition Director Stephany Stromme, at 507.645.3432.

  • How to Pay/Negative Balance Procedures/Request Refunds

    Families may pay for meals using cash, check or our online payment systems. Checks may be made out to Northfield Public Schools and must include the student’s first and last name and personal identification number (PIN). All schools have payment envelopes and collection boxes placed in the Child Nutrition area for receipt of payments. Cash payments will be accepted in a sealed envelope with the student and parent’s first and last name, PIN, and the amount of payment written on the outside of the envelope. Payments may also be mailed to Northfield Public Schools, Child Nutrition Office, 201 Orchard Street South, Northfield, MN 55057.

    Online Payment

    Payments using a debit/credit card or a checking account can be made online through Family Access.

    Family Access Payment Steps
    • Go to northfieldschools.org and click on Payments or click the button below. You can either login to Family Access to continue or apply for a Family Access account if you do not have one.
    • After you have logged into Family Access, you will need to click on the Food Service tab to the left of the screen.
    • This will bring up your child/children. Click “Make a Payment” (next to the child’s name),
    • Next click update payment amount for the student.
    • Enter the amount and click on update cart.
    • Complete these steps for each additional child or if your order is complete click the “Pay with Vendor” button located on the top right of current page.
    • Click “Go to check out” button.
    • Set up an account with RevTrak using your email address.
    • Continue to follow prompts to complete billing and payment information.
    • Now available with RevTrak is the auto replenish option.  Please remember to turn this option off at the end of the year if you do not want your account to automatically replenish your food service account.  This is especially important for seniors who will be graduating.

    Make a Payment

    Account Balance Statements

    Parents or guardians are responsible for monitoring their student’s meal account balances. Child Nutrition Services will make every reasonable effort to notify families of the need for a meal account payment. We utilize an automated school messenger system to contact families about low and negative balances using both phone calls and email notifications.

    Family Access will allow you to view meal account balances, payments and purchases. Statements will be made available upon request or can be printed using Family Access. To request a statement, parents, guardians and staff may contact the kitchen at each school or the district office. We will make every reasonable effort to contact you if your students account balance is running low or negative. Please review the following procedure for any questions that you may have concerning your students account balance.

    Negative Balance & NSF Procedure

    Refunds

    Balances remaining on accounts at the end of the school year will be automatically carried forward when school reopens. Balances follow students to their next building assignment.  Positive senior meal balances will be transferred to a younger siblings account or Angel funds account if no other siblings attend Northfield schools and a refund is not requested.  Refund requests must be submitted in writing by completing the refund request form. A check will be issued in the amount of the refund. No cash refunds will be made.  Before submitting a refund request please make sure that you have auto replenish turned off.  Click here for instructions on how to turn off auto-replenish payments in RevTrak.

  • Meal Prices

    Our free meal program has been extended through the end of school year 2021-22, as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. All students enrolled in the school district and attending in person learning receive free breakfast and lunch every day. 

    Milk is included in the price of a breakfast and lunch meal. Students who take milk only at meals will be charged $0.50 per carton.  Extra milks are not allowed at this time.  Please know that if your child is bringing lunch from home and ordering milk they will be charged $.50.  

    From September through June we will be operating under the seamless summer option (SSO) meal program.  Meals will be portioned and served to students to limit contact.

    When we resume offer vs serve: Federal regulation requires that students be offered five food components comprising the lunch meal. Students may choose three, four or five lunch items based on their preferences. A student is required to include at least 1/2 cup fruit or vegetable as one of their components. Students will be offered four food components at breakfast and must choose at least three. Federal regulations require meals to be priced as a complete unit and students must pay the full price even if they did not choose the complete meal.

    Elementary Student Meal

    Main line, salad bar or pre-made salad and cold sandwich option are all priced the same.

    Breakfast Lunch Both
    Full Price $1.75 $2.70 $4.45
    Free/Reduced Free Free Free

     

    Secondary Student Meal

    Main line, salad bar line, sandwich line and grilled line meals are all priced the same.

    Breakfast Lunch Both
    Full Price $1.75 $2.85 $4.60
    Free/Reduced Free Free Free

     

    Staff / Adult / Visitor / Second Meal

    Parents, guardians and other family members may eat with students during their meal time. All visitors are required to sign in at the school office. Staff meals, visitor meals and second student meals are priced higher because Child Nutrition Services does not receive any federal or state reimbursement for those meals, as we do for a student’s first meal.

    Breakfast Lunch Both
    Full Price $2.25 $4.25 $6.50
  • Milk Prices & Milk Break Form

    Milk is included in the price of a breakfast and lunch meal. Students who take milk only or an extra milk at meals will be charged $0.50 per carton.

    Milk Break Program (Grades K-5)

    Students in grades K-5 may have the opportunity to drink milk during their morning or afternoon break. The cost for grades 1-5 is $0.50 per day and is deducted weekly from the student’s lunch account.  The classroom teacher determines if their class will participate in the milk break program on an annual basis.

    The milk break program is tracked daily with classroom checklists, and the milk for the week is charged to the student’s account the Monday following the prior week. For example if you see a charge for “3 milk breaks” on your student’s account, that indicates that your child participated in milk break on three days the prior week.

    This program is optional and not part of the educational meal benefits program. Each student who participates will be charged the same amount of $0.50.  Kindergarten students will pay a flat fee of $10 for the year unless they qualify for free or reduced priced meals; then there is no cost.

    Milk Break Form for school year 21-22 will be made available in August.
    English / Spanish

  • Snack Cart Pricing & Forms
    Due to the extension of our free meal program through the end of school year 21-22, as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture we will not be providing the snack cart for the 2021-22 school year.  We look forward to providing this option again in the future.

    All the elementary schools will have the opportunity to sign up to receive a healthy snack every school day for a total cost of $75 a year. It is a way to offer students and families the opportunity to select fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and other nutritionally sound choices for a minimal price to encourage students to make good eating decisions for optimal health. The program is completely optional for all families and is not part of the educational benefits application that provides school meal benefits to families who qualify.

    Due to Covid-19 we will not be providing the snack cart for the 2021-22 school year.

    Bridgewater: English / Spanish
    Greenvale Park: English / Spanish
    Spring Creek: English / Spanish

Menus and Mealtimes

Northfield Public Schools participates in the National School Breakfast and School Lunch Program. This program makes available a nutritious breakfast and lunch daily at a reasonable cost. One half pint of milk is included with every meal. Students who take milk only at meals will be charged $0.50 per carton.  Extra milks are not allowed at this time.  Please know that if your child is bringing lunch from home and ordering milk they will be charged $.50.  Menus are planned using the USDA Menu Planning Guidelines.

  • Summer Curbside Menus

    Northfield Public Schools Child Nutrition Services will have free breakfast and free lunch available for curbside pick up on Monday and Wednesdays. There will be NO pick up on Monday, July 5.  These meals are intended only for children ages 18 and under. Students enrolled in Community School Programming, Kid Ventures and Early Ventures will receive free meals on site and should not complete this meal sign up form.

    Curbside pick-up locations will be at Northfield High School (Door #1) and Greenvale Park Elementary (Door #2) from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM.

    Every Monday afternoon we will email out a new pre-order form. This form is to be completed by Friday at 9 A.M. if you would like your child to receive meals through our curbside pick-up meal service. By completing this form, you will greatly help the Child Nutrition Services Department to better plan staffing, menus, and locations for pick-up.  Monday pick up will include two days worth of breakfasts and lunches; Wednesday pick up will include three days worth of breakfasts and lunches. Menus will rotate on a two week basis and are subject to change based on product availability.

    Breakfast and Lunch Menu 

    Please Remember To Keep Hot and Cold Foods Safe.

    We ask that you follow these guidelines when picking up meals for distance learning days:

    *Consume hot foods within 2 hours.
    *Consume or refrigerate cold foods within 2 hours.
    *Foods for other days should be stored in the refrigerator or frozen until eaten or reheated.
    *If re-heating foods, ensure they are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F.
    *Discard all refrigerated foods after 7 days of receiving it.
    *Contact Stephany Stromme, Director of Child Nutrition Services, at sstromme@northfieldschools.org if you have questions regarding ingredients on a particular food item.

    Instructions for items that should be heated before eating:

    Teriyaki Bowl
    MICROWAVE

    1. Remove  from packaging
    2. Place on a microwave safe plate. If desired, add assorted vegetables.
    3. Heat on high for 60-90 seconds or until internal temperature reaches at least 165°.

    Microwaves may vary so adjust heating instruction time accordingly.

    Pizza Kit:
    MICROWAVE

    1. Remove from packaging
    2. Place flatbread on a microwave safe plate. Spread sauce evenly over bread. If desired, add assorted vegetables.
    3. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
    4. Heat on high for 30-60 seconds or until internal temperature reaches at least 165° F.

    Microwaves may vary so adjust heating instruction time accordingly.

    Nachos Kit:
    MICROWAVE

    1. Remove chips from bag and arrange on a microwave safe plate.
    2. Sprinkle cheese and/or meat over chips.
    3. Heat on high for 30-45 seconds Bake 10-15 minutes or until internal temperature reaches at least 165° F.

    Microwaves may vary so adjust heating instruction time accordingly. If desired, add vegetable toppings.

    Pasta Bowl Kit
    MICROWAVE

    1. Remove  items from packaging
    2. Place on a microwave safe plate.
    3. Heat on high for 60-90 seconds or until internal temperature reaches at least 165°.

    Microwaves may vary so adjust heating instruction time accordingly.

    Turkey Ham and Cheese on a WG Bun (Pork Free) Can be eaten hot or cold
    MICROWAVE

    • Remove items from packaging and place them on a microwave safe plate.

    Heat on high for 15-20 seconds or until cheese is slightly melted.

    Oven

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Remove sandwich from packaging.
    • Wrap in foil. Heat for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is slightly melted.

    Microwaves and ovens may vary so adjust heating instruction time accordingly.

     

  • Summer In School Programming Menus for Kid Ventures, Early Ventures, PLUS and Blast

    Free meals will be offered to those students enrolled in on-site programming for Kid Ventures, Early Ventures, Plus and Blast during the summer months as provided by the United States Department of Agriculture through the Summer Food Service Program. 

    Please view the menu for offerings.  Note that the menu is subject to change based on availability of product.

     

  • Elementary Menus
    Main Menus

    Fall Breakfast | Nutritional Information – Available in August
    September Lunch | Nutritional Information – Available in August

    Alternate meal choices

    Students have the option to select the alternative meal lines if they do not like the featured meal on the menu. Pricing is the same as a mainline meal.

    Cold Sandwich:  Due to Covid 19 all sandwiches will be pre-made, individually packaged and provided as a complete meal.

    A cold sandwich meal is available including whole wheat turkey or whole wheat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. These meals include a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

    Salad: Due to Covid 19 all salads will be pre-made and provided as a complete meal.

    The salad meal includes a fruit choice, a whole grain bread option and a milk.
    Salad of the Day:
    Monday: Grilled Chicken Caesar
    Tuesday: Chef
    Wednesday: Taco Salad
    Thursday: Crispy Chicken
    Friday: Mandarin Chicken

  • Middle School Menus
    Main Menus

    Fall Breakfast | Nutritional Information – Available in August
    September Lunch | Nutritional Information – Available in August

    Alternate meal choices

    Students have the option to select the alternative meal lines if they do not like the featured meal on the menu. Pricing is the same as a mainline meal.

    SANDWICHES “4 THE TAKING”:

    Cold Sandwich:  Due to Covid 19 all sandwiches will be pre-made, individually packaged and provided as a complete meal.

    A cold sandwich meal is available including whole wheat turkey or whole wheat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. These meals include a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

    Sandwich of the Day:

    Monday: Turkey Sub
    Tuesday: Italian Sub
    Wednesday: Turkey Ham Sub
    Thursday: Ham Sub
    Friday: Turkey Sub

    SALAD “ENRG XPRS”

    Salad: Due to Covid 19 all salads will be pre-made and provided as a complete meal.

    The salad meal includes a fruit choice, a whole grain bread option and a milk.

    Salad of the Day: Beginning March 31, 2021
    Monday: Crispy Chicken
    Tuesday: Chef
    Wednesday: Chicken Caesar
    Thursday: Taco
    Friday: Chef

    “GRILL’D GREATS” – MENU
  • High School Menus
    Main Menus

    Fall Breakfast | Nutritional Information – Available in August
    September Lunch | Nutritional Information – Available in August

    Alternate meal choices

    Students have the option to select the alternative meal lines if they do not like the featured meal on the menu. Pricing is the same as a mainline meal.

    COLD SANDWICH

    Due to Covid 19 all sandwiches will be pre-made, individually packaged and provided as a complete meal.

    A variety of pre-made whole grain sub sandwiches and whole grain wraps are available daily. The meal includes a fruit, a vegetable and a milk.

    SALAD

    Due to Covid 19 all salads will be pre-made and provided as a complete meal.

    The salad meal includes a fruit choice, a whole grain bread option and a milk.
    Salad of the Day:
    Monday: Crispy Chicken
    Tuesday: Chicken Caesar
    Wednesday: Taco
    Thursday: Buffalo Chicken
    Friday: BBQ Chicken

    fire-symbol

     

  • Meal Times

    Meal times may vary.  Most of the cafeterias operate on a continuous serve basis during the entire meal period. Lunch times change every PLC Wednesday, starting 30 minutes later.

    School Breakfast Lunch
    ALC/Longfellow _________________ 12:05 p.m.-12:35 p.m./11:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m.
    Bridgewater 7:50 a.m. – 8:20 a.m. 11:15 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Sibley 7:55 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. 11:00 a.m. – 1:05 p.m.
    Greenvale 7:45 a.m. – 8:15 a.m. 11:10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
    Northfield Middle School 7:30 a.m. – 7:55 a.m. M,T,Th,F:10:46 a.m. – 12:35 p.m.; W: 11:09 a.m. – 12:59 p.m.
    Northfield High School 7:30 a.m. – 7:51 a.m. Flex Period M,T,Th,F: 11:11 a.m. – 12:11 p.m.; W: 11:43 a.m. – 12:33 p.m.

    After school: 2:45 p.m. – 3:10 p.m.

     

  • Food Allergies & Special Dietary Needs

    Child Nutrition Services may honor dietary restrictions due to allergies or intolerances with the proper documentation from a medical authority on file. The form for allergies and other special dietary needs is available below. For students with a lactose intolerance, a lactose reduced milk product will be provided at no extra charge on the written request of the parent or physician. Please contact your school nurse or the Child Nutrition Director if you have questions.

    Special Dietary Needs Form

    Lactose Intolerance Request Form

Wellness Policy

In 2017, Northfield Public Schools developed a wellness policy based on guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The policy includes changes that will apply or have already been applied to food served by Child Nutrition Services. It also includes food used in classrooms for rewards and celebrations and food sold by organizations for fundraisers during the school day.

Wellness Policy     Wellness Policy Assessment

Wellness Resources

Find ideas below for alternative, non-food options for school-day activities, plus snack suggestions and more.

Catering Requests

Child Nutrition Services offers a variety of catering options for events during the school year. We are a great choice to provide breakfast, lunch, dinner or a snack for any size group at a reasonable cost. Please fill out a catering services request form and contact the kitchen manager with questions.

Catering Brochure

Health Inspection Reports