Special Dietary Needs

MPS Culinary & Wellness Services (CWS) provides special dietary accommodations for meals and/or snacks on a case-by-case basis for participants with a documented medical condition or disability that restricts their diet. 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 will constitute a disability. MPS CWS does not provide dietary accommodations for requests related to religious, moral convictions or personal preference. However, all schools serve a daily vegetarian option and menu options are designed to meet a variety of preferences.

To begin the process of requesting 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. Any changes in dietary needs requires a new form completed by the student's health care provider. The form has specific sections to be completed based on your student’s needs.

For lactose free milk as a beverage:

1. Caregivers must complete the blue section on page 1 of the request form. Requests for lactose free milk only require a parent/guardian signature. Note: Completing this section of the request form will provide lactose free milk to drink and will not result in dairy free milk or lactose free meals. See instructions below to request dairy free milk or meals through the Special Diet Statement.
2. Return completed form to CWS Dietitian.

For food allergies, intolerances, disabilities, or medical conditions:

1. The Special Diet Statement (found on page 2 of this form) must be fully completed and signed by a licensed healthcare provider. Licensed physician, physician assistant, registered dietitian, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner may sign the form. Incomplete forms will delay processing.
2. Caregivers can choose to sign the Voluntary Authorization to grant MPS access to protected health information as necessary to provide dietary accommodations.
3. Return completed form to CWS Dietitian.

Completed forms can be returned by email (ask.dietitian@mpls.k12.mn.us), fax (612-668-2830), or mail (812 Plymouth Ave N, Minneapolis, 55411). Please allow 14 business days for processing and implementing dietary accommodations. CWS Dietitian will follow up with caregivers via email with further instructions after the request has been processed.

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. Most 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. For students with celiac disease, a limited selection of certified gluten free items are available.

Beginning in Fall 2026, middle and high school cafeterias will serve a prepackaged peanut butter and jelly sandwich. We recognize this is a significant change from our past practices. The decision to offer a single, individually wrapped menu option containing peanuts was made after thoughtful consideration and research on current food allergy management practices. Student safety remains a top priority and we are committed to working with students, caregivers, and school-based staff to support students with food allergies.

Elementary and K-8 schools will not serve peanut or tree nut products in any meals or snacks.

Although we try to avoid purchasing products processed in a facility or on shared equipment with peanuts and tree nuts, some pre-packaged foods may be processed in a facility that processes peanuts or tree nuts. Food manufacturers are not required by food labeling laws to disclose this level of detailed information. MPS will share all available allergy information through online menus available on SchoolCafe.

MPS serves items made with coconut. As of 2025, coconut is no longer considered a tree nut by FDA labeling laws. If your student is allergic to coconut, please submit a completed Special Diet Statement so we can provide accommodations as needed.

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 the blue section on page 1 of the Special Diet Statement. This request provides lactose free milk to drink and does not result in dairy free milk or lactose free meals.

If your student needs to avoid lactose-containing foods like cheese or yogurt, please ask their healthcare provider to complete the yellow section on page 2 of the Special Diet Statement and specify which lactose-containing foods need to be avoided.

SchoolCafe 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. Select “View Menus (as a guest)"
2. Choose your school from the drop down “select school” list.
3. 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 PrimeroEdge. 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.