Special Dietary Needs

To process your request for special diet accommodations, a signed special diet request form must be provided. Annual updates to this form are recommended to best support student’s needs. 

For food allergies, intolerances, disabilities, or medical conditions like texture modifications or nutrition therapy:

1. Complete section A of the Special Diet Statement.
2. Request your student’s healthcare provider fully complete section B of the Special Diet Statement. Please note this form must be completed by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner. Incomplete forms will delay this process. Any changes in dietary needs requires a new form completed by the student's health care provider.
3. Return completed form to School Nurse or Dietitian.

For lactose intolerance:

1. Complete section A of the Special Diet Statement. Requests for lactose free milk only require a parent/guardian signature.
2. Return completed form to School Nurse or Dietitian.

Note: this request provides lactose free milk to drink and does not result in dairy free milk or meals.

Completed forms can be returned by email (ask.dietitian@mpls.k12.mn.us), fax (612-668-2830), or mail (812 Plymouth Ave N, Mpls 55411). Please allow 10-14 days for processing and implementing dietary accommodations.

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. 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 pre-packaged foods served may be processed in a facility that processes peanuts or tree nuts, but the item served does not contain peanuts or tree nuts. 

*MPS serves items made with coconut.

MPS CWS will provide lactose-free milk for children with lactose intolerance. A parent or guardian must make this request in writing by completing and signing section A of the Special Diet Statement. This request provides lactose free milk to drink and does not result in dairy free milk or meals.

LINQ Connect provides detailed menu information including nutrition facts and allergens. 

Create an account linked to your child(ren)’s school(s) or follow these steps to see school menus without an account:

1. From the “school services” drop down menu, select “school mens” 
2. Type "Minneapolis Public School District" in the search field and select continue.
3. Choose your school from the drop down “school” list.
4. Use meal tabs and filter options to navigate menus and see nutrition and allergen information for menu items.

Minneapolis Public Schools nutrition information is based on data from manufacturers, USDA and other established databases. Nutrition and ingredient information is calculated from standard product formulations and standardized recipes created by MPS Culinary & Wellness Services. All nutrition information is collected and managed within USDA approved nutrition software LINQ Connect. Menu variation may occur due to supplier’s substitutions, ingredient substitutions or manufacturer formulation changes. Published information will be corrected in advance when possible.

Questions?

Ashley Nitzkorski, RDN
Dietitian
612-668-2847
Ashley.Nitzkorski@mpls.k12.mn.us

Menu questions or comments can be sent to ask.dietitian@mpls.k12.mn.us.