School Nutrition Annual Notifications
On this page:
Free Reduced Meals
Breakfast Programs
Charge Policy
Medical Request for School Meal Modifications
Translation Services
Other Accommodations
Wellness Policy
Civil Rights
The District operates the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) in 38 schools. Students enrolled in one of these CEP schools receive meals at no cost without an application.
In non-CEP schools, families that fall within certain income guidelines can qualify for free and reduced meals by applying.
Per federal regulations, the application opens July 1, 2023 for the 2023-24 school year. Any applications received prior to that date will qualify a family for the 2022-23 school year.
Families can access the online application on LINQ Connect or can request a paper copy from their school’s front office or cafeteria.
Breakfast is available at all schools, with the exception of: Lookout Mountain Elementary, Nolan Elementary, Thrasher Elementary, and Signal Mountain Middle/High.
Parents are encouraged to ensure students eat breakfast each day, and the school breakfast program offers a convenient way for families to meet this need.
For more information regarding breakfast serving times, refer to your school’s handbook.
Please be sure that your student has money available to purchase meals and additional items. Please be aware that high school students may only charge meals up to $40. Additionally, no student may charge a la carte purchases.
School Board Policy that sets these limits can be found here, while the full meal charge procedures, including notification protocols, can be viewed here.
HCS will provide reasonable accommodations that allow students to access safe school meals. To request a meal modification, please have a medical authority complete the Medical Request for School Meal Modifications form. A Registered Dietitian reviews and approves each form and provides a communication home, by email or by letter, explaining the decision. The decision letter will include information regarding the appeal process, as outlined below.
Parents/guardians have the right to file a grievance if they do not agree with the accommodations provided or the process of receiving accommodations. The parent/guardian also has the right to a prompt and equitable solution of the grievance. The parent/guardian should contact the School Nutrition Central Office at 423-498-7275 to discuss the matter. If after contacting the School Nutrition Central Office the concerns are not addressed, please contact the 504 Coordinator for Hamilton County Schools at 423-498-7082 to request an impartial hearing, where the parent/guardian has the option to be represented by counsel. The parent/guardian will receive a notice of a final decision and a procedure for review (right to appeal the hearing’s decision).
All meal modification request forms are kept confidential and are only shared to the extent needed to protect the student’s safety. The form may be kept on file by the School Nutrition Program, Exceptional Education, 504 Coordinator, School Health, and/or other staff.
Parents/guardians have the right to examine records pertaining to their meal modification request. To do so, contact the School Nutrition Central Office at 423-498-7275.
When sourcing new products or changing recipe ingredients, updated allergen information will be provided to schools. However, manufacturers can change ingredients or manufacturing practices without notification, and HCS cannot guarantee all allergen information will be accurate.
You have the right to access information in your language free of charge.
School Nutrition materials originating from the Central Office are disseminated in English and Spanish formats. Online menus and free/reduced applications can be accessed in six non-English languages by selecting a new language in the top right corner of the screen. Additional language translation will be provided upon request.
To request additional language translation, families should contact their school office.
Other modifications, auxiliary aids and services can be provided to persons with disabilities. Please contact our office at 423-498-7275 or [email protected].
The Wellness Policy information is available on our webpage here. This includes a copy of the current policy, opportunities to participate in the updating of the policy, and the most recent results of the triennial assessment of the policy.
The School Nutrition Program is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), age, or disability.
The procedures for filing a complaint can be viewed here.