Meal Charge Policy


“As provided in SP46-2016, no later than July 1, 2017, all SFA’s operating the Federal School meal programs are required to have in place a written meal charge policy, and to communicate that policy to families and school and/or district-level staff members.”

“FNS Instruction 796-2 (Rev. 3) lists bad debt as a non-allowable expenditure of Federal Funds.  Therefore, losses or meals charged cannot be paid with Child Nutrition Funds.”

In accordance with the recommendation on the charging of meals by the State Department of Education, the Lafayette School District shall comply with the regulations as follows:

  • Adults are not allowed to charge meals or solicit food from students.
  • Students are not allowed to charge meals or solicit food from students.
  • It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure there is money in their child’s  breakfast/lunch account.
  • All students and school personnel may pay for their meals in advance by the week or by the month.  The amount of unused funds will remain in the individual’s account until used.  Account balances at the end of the school year automatically roll-over to the next school year.
  • No refunds of a student’s meal account given unless the student has graduated from the 12th grade or is leaving the district.  To obtain a refund, a written request to the Food Service Director stating the student’s full name, grade, and address to send the refund check to.  (This usually takes 30-45 days pending school board approval). 
  • At the school cafeteria manager’s discretion, no change will be given to students paying for their meals.  All money collected will be added to the student’s account.
  • If the student does not have enough money in their breakfast/lunch account to cover the meal cost, he/she will be offered an alternative meal which is composed of items that meet the “MyPlate” guidelines set forth by the USDA.

The cost of this alternative meal is absorbed by the LCSD Food Services.  

How we notify parents regarding Low or No Money in a child’s account:

  1. The LCSD Department of Food Services offers the “MySchoolBucks” on-line payment system and encourages parents to sign up for this service.  By going to www.gocommodores.org, and clicking on “Parent Resources”, and then clicking on “On-line Lunch Payment”, parents can set up an account for each child in their household.  Parents can also choose to receive a text message or email to notify them when their child’s breakfast/lunch account is low.
  2. A “low-balance warning” appears on each register at all LCSD cafeterias.  At the Lower and Upper Elementary Schools (Pre-K through 6), low balance letters to parents are given to the teachers to be sent home.  In the Middle and High School, (7 through 12), cashiers will verbally tell the student that their account is low and to inform the parents that money needs to be added to their account.

Additional Information About Our School Nutrition Program:

A free/reduced lunch application will be available to all students at any time during the school year.  These forms should be returned to the school office, cafeteria manager, or the LCSD Food Service Office.  It is very important that these forms are completed in full.  School meals must be paid for until free and reduced applications are approved.

Food Allergies Among Students:

Regulations governing the federal lunch and breakfast programs permit food substitutions for individual children with medical or other special dietary needs.  The regulation allows substitutions ONLY WHEN SUPPORTED BY A STATEMENT FROM A RECOGNIZED MEDICAL AUTHORITY THAT RECOMMENDED THE ALTERNATIVE FOOD.  In case of a milk allergy, the juice may be substituted when the verification is received.  Please contact Mr. Mark Davis, Director of Child Nutrition, 662-234-7320, for the proper medical statement forms and any other information you may require.

**In accordance with Federal Law and the US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of this discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington D.C. 20250-9410 or call 1-800-795-3272 or 1-202-720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.**

Please note the charges for Student meals for the new school year will not increase over last year.  The prices are as follows:

Student Full Paid Breakfast $2.00 Student Full Paid Lunch $3.00

Student Reduced Breakfast $.30

Student Reduced Lunch $.40

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Mark H. Davis, Director

Lafayette County School District

Food Service Director