Nutrition Services - Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

ADULTS
Can adults eat school meals and why do they pay more?
Many teachers and staff eat school meals. We also encourage parents to join their children for meals at school. Adult meals cost more because we do not receive federal reimbursement as we do for student meals. We are required to charge for the total cost of the adult meal. Let us know if there's an item you would like to see. If you would like to order your meal ahead, just contact your kitchen. We encourage adults to have meal accounts in our computerized system. Adult portions follow the student portions except adults may choose an additional entree with an elementary school lunch.

ALA CARTE
Can food be purchased ala carte or do we have to purchase an entire meal?
All menu items may be purchased as ala carte. Price lists are at the school kitchens. Prices are subject to change to reflect the changing cost of supplies and labor. Click here for our current meal and ala carte pricing, which includes prices for second meals and/or entrees.

BARBECUES
Are BBQ grills available?
We have gas BBQ grills available for school meals and rental for school-related events. Contact the Nutrition Services office (541-355-1150) to schedule them.

BEEF
Is the beef used in school meals safe?
All ground beef in our school meals except hamburger patties is from Painted Hills Natural Beef near Fossil, Oregon. This 100% natural beef has no added growth hormones, no antibiotics, and comes from Oregon-raised cattle fed a complete vegetarian diet with NO animal by-products. We are currently using frozen hamburger patties with lean finely textured beef from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Though this beef is completely safe, we will not be receiving additional quantities once our current inventory is depleted this spring. (Updated April 2012)

BREAKFAST
Is breakfast served at all schools?
All schools serve a nutritious breakfast before the first bell. Bear Creek Elementary, Ensworth Elementary, Juniper Elementary, La Pine Elementary, La Pine Middle, Rosland, and Three Rivers schools are currently participating in the "Universal Breakfast Program" where all children receive a nutritious breakfast at no cost to them. Teachers have noticed a marked improvement in the students' attention, participation and schoolwork since this program began, as the children are not hungry and can thus focus on their studies rather than on empty stomachs. We hope to continue expanding this program in the future.

BUDGET
Does Nutrition Services get money from the District general fund?
The Nutrition Services budget is a separate fund from the district's general fund. All of our revenues from meal sales must cover all of our program costs. To help keep teaching dollars in the classroom, meal prices are set to help ensure that the Nutrition Services program is self supporting.

BUYING MEALS
How do we purchase meals at school?
Students or their parents may make prepayment for meals by the week, month, or longer at any time from the Nutrition Services staff in the cafeteria at the student's school. Most schools prefer that meal money brought to school is done before school starts in the morning when there is more time to process money and update students' accounts. A better method of paying for meals is online with our BLPay system with a credit or Visa/Master debit card (https://blpay.bend.k12.or.us/). Prepayment is encouraged as this expedites the service to the student through the line, allowing them more time to eat. We use computerized accounts that track every student by name. If you need to see your child's meal account activity or check on an account balance, just call the school's kitchen. Money placed in your child's account may be used for purchasing meals and any extra foods sold through the program. However, parents may contact their child's school kitchen to place restrictions on how their student's meal account is spent. For example, you may say No ala carte, No extra meals, Lunch only, etc.

CHARGES
Can students charge their meals?
It is not our intent to allow charges. However, if a child has money in his/her meals account but it is insufficient for the day's meal, then a charge will be allowed and money will be expected the next day to cover the charge. After more than one unpaid charge, the child may receive an entree of fresh fruits and vegetables plus white milk as a meal if no funds exist. Continued abuse may result in purchase of meals with cash only. The kitchens print charge slips and/or other reminder notes to send home when a child owes money. Some elementary schools also stamp a small apple stamp on the child's hand as a reminder to bring more meal money. Charges are not allowed for seconds or snack bar and ala carte items.

CHECKS
Can we write checks for meals and what happens if they "bounce"?
Yes. Please make them out to "(Your student's school) Nutrition Services", with the student's full name on the memo line. The entire amount of the check will be deposited in the student's account; we are unable to give change.

ENVISION PAYMENT SOLUTIONS has been selected by Bend-La Pine Schools as its check service provider. If your check is returned, it may be re-presented electronically. Also, in presenting a check for payment, you authorize service charges and processing fees to be debited from the same account should the check be dishonored. That fee is currently $25, which will be electronically debited from your account. Each dishonored item is subject to the applicable state returned check fees.

Click here to read the parent/student info letter from Envision.

If you wish to inquire about a returned check written to Bend-La Pine Schools, please contact Envision Payment solutions directly:

Envision Payment Solutions
Phone Toll Free 877-290-5460
Phone 770-709-3100
Fax 770-709-3007
PO Box 157
Suwanee, GA 30024-0157
www.envisionpayments.com

GUARANTEE
Do you guarantee the food you serve?
Absolutely. If you are not satisfied with your meal, please return it for a different item or receive a full refund.

HOMEMADE FOOD
Can we bring homemade food to class parties or to sell at school fundraisers?
Unfortunately, no. To ensure the safety and sanitation of food served to school children, District Administrative Regulation Code EFAB-AR prohibits homemade food at school functions. Food for class parties or fundraisers must be produced by licensed food preparation kitchens or stores.

KINDERGARTEN
Can kindergarten children eat at school?
As enrolled students, they are eligible to eat school meals and participate in the Free and Reduced Meals Program. However, because kindergarten children may not arrive at scheduled meal times, parents should contact the school's office for their policy in supervising kindergarteners during school meals.

KITCHEN ACCESS AND USE
Can school kitchens and cafeterias be used for outside functions?
Yes, depending on your needs as well as kitchen availability. A fee is charged for equipment use and Nutrition Services labor. Contact our Assistant Supervisor, Garra Schluter (541-355-1351).

MENUS
Who writes the menus? Are they balanced nutritionally? How do we know "what's for lunch today?"
Menus are written with the combined input of the Nutrition Services Supervisor, Assistant Supervisor, Wellness Specialist, and kitchen Managers and Leads. All menus are analyzed in NutriKids, our nutrient analysis computer program, to be sure they are nutritionally balanced. This information is available online. Elementary menus are printed and sent home with each child at the end of each month for the following month. These menus include both breakfast and lunch. You may also check out the menus on this web site. Menus for the middle and high schools may vary, and at this time, are not printed for distribution to the students, but may be found online. In general, they follow the elementary menu, with some modifications or additions, and are posted at the school cafeterias.

SACK LUNCHES
Are sack lunches available for field trips?
Yes. Teachers have Sack Lunch Order Forms to request sack lunches for their students when planning a field trip. Since a sack lunch is in place of a regular lunch, it is charged to the child's meal account. Sack lunches contain a sandwich, chips, fresh veggies, cookie and milk or juice. Sack lunches need to be ordered at least a week in advance.

SECONDS
Can my child have seconds if he/she is still hungry?
In order to control costs and portions, free second entrees are not available. If a child is still hungry after completing the school meal, he/she may have as many additional fruits and vegetables as can be eaten during lunch and fruit during breakfast. All students may purchase a second meal by paying the full meal price, or purchase individual items at the ala carte prices. For example, if a child wants an extra entree in addition to his meal, he may purchase it for $1.25. Students may also work in the cafeteria in exchange for a meal. Many students do this to earn a second meal. See STUDENT WORKERS below.

STUDENT WORKERS
Can students work in the cafeteria in exchange for meals?
We encourage it! It's valuable work experience, and in exchange for helping serve meals a student also earns a free meal. High school students may also earn money by working in the cafeterias. Interested students should contact the kitchen staff at their school.

VEGETARIAN ENTREES
Are vegetarian entrees available?
Several entrees on the menu are meatless. In addition, students may decline the meat on nachos, and ask for the meat on the side for such entrees as tacos, taco salad, brunch for lunch, and meat gravy.