What's the Scoop?

We want to feed as many students as possible! By applying for Free/Reduced Meals, we can provide the opportunity to receive two healthy meals to your child(ren) to fuel them through their school day.

*If you have not done so already, please fill out an application for your family by logging into your Parent Portal on Infinite Campus. Step by step instructions are pictured below.

**If you have already applied and have not been approved, please re-apply any time you have a change in income. Your eligibility is based on your last 30 days of income. This means you could qualify if your income varies due to an unpaid holiday or sick day!

You are still responsible for meal charges accrued prior to your application's approval, so please apply at your earliest convenience!

Offer vs Serve (OVS) is an Child Nutrition program that will reduce food waste, which will ultimately allow us to moderate school meal prices despite rising costs. All of our secondary schools and some of our elementary schools have already implemented OVS. This will be fully implemented for all schools the Monday after Thanksgiving break.

Many school districts across the country, especially larger school districts, have been successfully participating in OVS for years. This is an evidence-based approach that is supported by USDA research. OVS supports autonomy in food choices and total consumption of food actually increases when a child asks for their food rather than has everything forced onto their tray.

Please know that we have some amazing people serving your children who cheer them on to try broccoli and celery! We always encourage children to take everything, even if the intent is simply to try the food. We also require that a minimum of 3 out of 5 components of a meal be taken by every student (Fruit, Vegetable, Grain, Meat/Meal Alt, and Milk), one of which must be a fruit or a vegetable. If you have any questions about OVS, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office: 605-367-7635.

Flavor = Taste + Texture! Nothing gives a better texture than roasting your veggies in an oven or air fryer (or any other appliance that you may have that utilizes a dry heat). Roasting simply put means cooking until the food is cooked through and the edges are slightly golden brown.

Tips for roasting to warm, crispy perfection:

• After washing your produce, pat it dry to prevent steam causing sogginess.
• Make sure everything is spread out evenly on your pan. Stacked pieces reduce surface area and prevent even cooking.
• Oil... A little goes a long way. But it does you no good if you fail to evenly coat your veggies. Mix WELL before popping them into the oven to prevent sticking and ensure a crispy texture.
• Seasoning - roasted broccoli takes on a whole new flavor when you start using burger, steak, or any other of your favorite seasoning blends.

*Bonus tip: Even frozen vegetables can be roasted. Let them warm them up in the oven while it's preheating, this will evaporate the ice crystals. Once the veggies are thawed and relatively dry, toss them in oil and seasonings and pop them back in to finish cooking.

Depending on what you're roasting and how crisp you like your veggies, cooking at 350-425 degrees works best. Peppers and onions chopped into smaller pieces can take as little as 20-25 min, denser vegetables like potatoes and carrots often take 30-40 min to get the edges nicely golden brown. If you're in a hurry, smaller pieces always cook faster!

Tis the season for orchard visits and honey crisp splurges! Apple nachos are a great way to introduce your child to making their own healthy snacks.

All you need is:

Apple slices & your favorite toppings

Suggested toppings:

Nut or seed butter of choice

Mini chocolate chips

Caramel

Cinnamon or pumpkin spice seasoning

To prepare, arrange your slices on a plate and drizzle some warmed nut butter and/or caramel, then finish off with any other toppings and enjoy!

Please read our updated Unpaid Meal Policy and see our update 22-23 Meal Pricing, both linked below.

Child Nutrition Coordinator

Unfortunately, supply change issues are still prevalent this year and they will likely continue. This means that our menus are still very subject to change. The best way to stay up-to-date with changes is by checking our menus on Meal Viewer. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Email: Gay.Anderson@k12.sd.us
Website: https://www.sf.k12.sd.us/page/nutrition-services
Location: 1101 North Western Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD, USA
Phone: (605) 367-7635