Special Diet and Meal Accommodations
Supporting Students with Special Dietary Needs
The Nutrition & Wellness Department is committed to providing reasonable meal accommodations for students who require dietary modifications, as outlined in an approved medical statement.
We encourage parents, guardians, and staff to visit our Food Services webpage for helpful resources, including:
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The Medical Statement form
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Nutrient and ingredient lists
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Allergy information tables
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Access to our interactive online menus, which include detailed nutrition and allergy information for every menu item
Our goal is to ensure every student has access to safe, nutritious meals that meet their individual health needs.
Medical Statements for Meal Accommodations
Completing a Medical Statement is essential to ensure that all meal modifications are reimbursable and meet the child’s medically appropriate nutrition standards.
In accordance with Title 7, Code of Federal Regulations (7 CFR) Sections 210.10(m) and 220.8(d), the Nutrition & Wellness Department is required to provide food and beverage substitutions for students whose disabilities restrict their diet.
To implement a meal substitution for a student with a disability, the district must receive documentation signed by a recognized state medical authority (such as a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner). The Medical Statement must include:
✔️ A description of the student’s disability
✔️ An explanation of how the disability impacts a major life activity
✔️ A description of how the disability restricts the student’s diet
✔️ Foods to be omitted from the student’s diet
✔️ Suitable food substitutions for the omitted items
Medical Statements remain in effect until the student’s condition changes, the student transfers or promotes to a new school, or leaves the district. If the student’s condition changes, an updated Medical Statement signed by a recognized medical authority must be submitted.
For students who require only texture modifications (such as chopped, ground, or pureed foods), written instructions from a recognized medical authority specifying the appropriate texture are also required.
Fluid Milk Substitutions
A fluid milk substitution is different from a medical meal accommodation. It applies when a student does not have a disability, but cannot consume milk due to medical or other special dietary needs (such as lactose intolerance).
In these cases, the district may provide a nutritionally equivalent non-dairy beverage (such as soy milk) in place of regular milk. Parents or guardians must submit a written request for this substitution; however, a Medical Statement is not required.
All fluid milk substitutions must meet the nutrient standards established in 7 CFR 210.10(m)(2) to ensure students continue to receive balanced nutrition.