Corvallis School District Food Service participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in more than 101,000 public and nonprofit private schools and residential child-care institutions. Established under the National School Lunch Act and signed into law by President Harry Truman in 1946, the NSLP provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost and free lunches to more than 30 million children each school day. The meals must be offered for free or at a reduced-price for eligible children. They also must meet the Federal nutrition requirements in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which is updated every five years.

The School Breakfast Program (SBP) is a federally assisted meal program operating schools and institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfasts to children each school day. The program was established under the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to ensure that all children have access to a healthy breakfast at school to promote learning readiness and healthy eating behaviors.

The Food Service Department has developed its Farm to School program through partnerships with local farmers to provide fresh, local produce on the menu. Fresh tasting vegetables and fruits, along with educating the children increases consumption. Healthy eating habits lead to healthy, active, educated children. Food is not just about nutrition, anymore. Healthy food is also about the environment and other important social issues. We have also partnered with the Corvallis Environmental Center in helping them provide monthly Tasting Tables in an effort to give children the opportunity to try different fruits and vegetables they may have not had available to them, before.

As part of the School Wellness Committee, our vision is for families and the community to value and support the central role that schools play in promoting our children’s health. To this end, student and staff wellness shall be promoted through the district’s educational and meal programs and related activities.

Kathy Adair is the Food Service Operations Assistant and provides support for the Food Service Director, school kitchens and various Food Service programs. This includes accounts payable, accounts receivable, press releases, website maintenance, communications, policy, contracts, and more.

Summer Food Service Program – During the school year, many children receive free and reduced-price breakfast and lunch through the School Breakfast and National School Lunch Programs. What happens when school lets out? Hunger is one of the most severe roadblocks to the learning process. Lack of nutrition during the summer months may set up a cycle for poor performance once school begins again. Hunger also may make children more prone to illness and other health issues. The Summer Food Service Program is designed to fill that nutrition gap and make sure children can get the nutritious meals they need. 

CSD Food Service is working to making sure all children in the Corvallis area have access to meals when school is closed during the summer.  Over 2300 children in Corvallis receive free or reduced-price meals during the school year, but many of these children do not get enough to eat when school is out.  All children 18 years and younger, regardless of income, can receive a free breakfast and lunch at one of several sites in the Corvallis area throughout the summer. 

Marv Newcombe  is the Food Service Supervisor.  He maintains the Free & Reduced Application system, provides software and hardware technical support for Food Service computer systems and employee training, and generates financial reports for the food service department and State Department of Education.

Free & Reduced-Price Meals – Free or Reduced-price meals are available for families meeting federal income guidelines.  Applications are available in any school office throughout the year as well as online.  All applications are processed centrally at the District Food Service office and are completely confidential. Turnaround time is approximately 1-2 days. 

Computerized Lunch System – The District’s computerized meal program works on a debit system.  All students have an account on the computer. Money from home is deposited to their account.  As the student goes through the meal line, their meal (or purchase) is recorded and the appropriate amount deducted from their account based on their approved status of Paid, Free or Reduced-price.  A student’s account summary information can be retrieved at any time.  Parents can place restrictions on their child’s account by contacting the school kitchen manager.  Charging is discouraged and should only be used in emergencies.  The approved District policy for allowing charges are: Elementary- 3 charges, Middle- 1 charge, and High- no charges.