Nutrition Information

1. Licensed medical professional diagnoses an allergen or special dietary need.
   1. Please note that MPS Culinary & Wellness Services is not required to accommodate special dietary requests that do not constitute a disability, including requests related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference. If these requests are accommodated, all USDA meal pattern and nutrient requirements must be met.
   2. According to the ADA Amendments Act, most physical and mental impairments that substantially limit or affect one or more major life activities or bodily functions—including digestive functions, immune system, and neurological functions—will constitute a disability.
       
2. Family obtains the Special Diet Medical Statement form—available online, Health Office, or via kitchen coordinator for new dietary needs. The medical statement must include what food or allergen should be avoided, a brief explanation for how exposure to the food affects the child, and foods to be substituted.
    
3. Family completes participant information section prior to providing the form for completion by a medical professional. Parent/Guardian may complete voluntary authorization section if desired.
    
4. Licensed medical professional completes required information: dietary accommodation, additional information, and signature sections.
    
5. Family ensures the completed form is sent to the Health Office at child’s school.
    
6. Nurse emails or mails the form to the dietitian at the Culinary and Wellness Services Center.
    
7. Dietitian reviews the form for completion and contacts family, medical professional, and/or nurse with questions as needed.
    
8. Dietitian sends an email to the kitchen coordinator and Health Office approving the special diet request along with instructions for accommodating the diet.
    
9. Kitchen coordinator begins ordering food to fulfill the special diet request. It may take up to 5 days to receive special diet orders. Please provide meals or snacks for your student during this initial time period.
    
10. Family is responsible for providing a new special diet statement if there are any updates or changes to current dietary forms on file. It is not necessary to provide a new special diet statement every school year if there are no dietary changes.

A complete special diet statement form is required for students that need gluten-free meals. Gluten-free menu items do not contain any ingredients made with wheat, rye, barley, or crossbreeds of these grains. Specialty, prepackage gluten free items (e.g. bread, buns, pasta) follow the FDA requirement for a gluten-free food. Gluten free menu items are prepared at the MPS Nutrition Center on shared equipment and our facility is not certified gluten-free. All food production surfaces, cooking surfaces, and cooking utensils are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized to decrease the risk of cross-contact.

MPS is peanut & tree nut aware meaning there are NO peanuts or tree nuts purchased or served for school meals. Some prepackage foods served for meals or snacks may be processed in a facility that processes peanuts or tree nuts, but the item served does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. It is helpful, but not required to complete a Special Diet Statement for a student with a peanut and/or tree nut allergy.

MPS Culinary & Wellness Services will provide lactose-free milk for children with lactose intolerance. A parent or guardian must make this request in writing by completing and signing the form below.

Lactose-free milk request

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