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.    

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. Any changes in dietary needs requires a new form completed by the student's health care provider.

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.

For lactose free milk:

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 request will provide lactose free milk to drink and will not result in dairy free milk or lactose free meals. See instructions above to request dairy free milk or meals through the Special Diet Statement.
2. 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, Mpls 55411). Please allow 10-14 days for processing and implementing dietary accommodations. CWS Dietitian will follow up with caregivers 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. 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 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.

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.