Dear Parents,
Our mission is to be a partner in the educational process by providing quality meals at a reasonable price and nutrition education opportunities for students that promote HEALTHY CHILDREN, READY to LEARN.
The school nutrition program provides: Breakfast, lunch and after school snacks to help your child get the nutrition they need to learn, grow and develop. Menus must adhere to strict guidelines issued by USDA. Each meal planned must provide the required (USDA) number of food components and food items and meet the nutrient standards for the age/grade group served. Your child’s monthly menus are posted on the Tift County School’s web site.
Meal Accounts: Each cafeteria has a computer program for tracking meals and payments. All Tift County students are assigned a student identification/account number. Students are required to learn their meal number to use at the cashier station. Prepayment for school meals enables the lines to move smoothly. Prepayment envelopes are available for weekly or monthly payments. Parents may also check student accounts and pay online at www.PayPams.com. 2012-2013 lunch meal prices for elementary students, grades PK through 6th are $.70, middle school students prices are $.85 and at NE Campus and TCHS $1.10. Breakfast is $.50 at all schools. If your child qualifies for reduced status, then the lunch meal price is $.20 ($.30 at NE and TCHS) and breakfast is $.00. We encourage you to come and eat with your child during the school year.
Meal Charges: The Tift County Nutrition Program realizes that a child may forget his lunch money from time to time. The charge system allows a child to eat when this occurs. But, the School Nutrition Program will allow children and staff to charge ONLY a Total of $5.50 for meals. If a child does not have lunch money after that time, the child may receive an alternate meal. Schools will follow these progressive steps when charging becomes necessary:
- The School Nutrition manager will notify parents via bill/letter from the child’s account and will send the letter/bill home with the child notifying them of the charge(s).
- The School Nutrition manager will call the parents/guardians notifying them of the charge(s) if payment has not been received.
- The School Nutrition manager will notify school administrators if charges persist or are not cleared. The school administrator or designee should attempt to discuss the charges via telephone or conference.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications:
If you believe your family qualifies for the free/reduced meal program, complete ONE Application per family. Be sure to list ALL students enrolled in the Tift County School System as well as all other family members on the application.
** A new application must be completed EVERY YEAR unless you receive a letter from us stating otherwise.. Even if your students qualified for free/reduced benefits the previous school year, you MUST complete a current application. All applications are confidential. If you need an application later in the year, contact any school nutrition manager, the front office of the school, or the school nutrition program at 387-2400.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Hayes
School Nutrition Director
Building Healthy Student Minds & Bodies
Non-discrimination Statement: This explains what to do if you believe you have been treated unfairly. "In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice). Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.