According to the National School Lunch Program Act, the School Nutrition program is required to follow specific regulations in accommodating special diets for students enrolled in the Winona Area Public Schools.

Generally, children with food allergies or intolerances do not have a disability as defined in any of the Acts or laws, and the school nutrition programs may, but is not required to, make food substitutions for them. However, when food allergies result in severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions, the child's condition would meet the definition of "disability" and the substitutions prescribed by the licensed, medical physician must be made.

Winona Area Public Schools has adopted the Minnesota Department of Education Special Diet Statement form. If you are requesting any special dietary requests for your child, please take one of the enclosed forms to your family physician to have completed. These forms do not need to be renewed on a yearly basis, but must reflect the child's current needs. Once our office receives any special requests, we will contact you, if necessary, to set up a meeting to discuss your child's needs.

• Special Diet Statement Request Form

Your children may qualify for free or reduced-price school meals. To apply, complete the Application for Educational Benefits.

A new application must be submitted each year.

At public schools, your application also helps the school qualify for education funds and discounts. PLEASE NOTE: The Application for Educational Benefits is also available to complete electronically through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal. If you do not currently use the portal and would like to apply for benefits online, please contact portal.help@winona.k12.mn.us to receive an “Activation Key” to get you started.

State funds help to pay for reduced-price school meals, so all students who are approved for either free or reduced-price school meals will receive school meals at no charge. State funds also help to pay for breakfasts for kindergarten students, so all participating kindergarten students receive breakfasts at no charge.

Return your completed Application for Educational Benefits to: WAPS Nutrition Office, 903 Gilmore Avenue, Winona, MN 55987.

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800)877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax; (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer

What is Feed the Kids fund?

The Feed the Kids Fund is a safety net for K-12 students that do not have sufficient funds in their accounts to cover the cost of school meals and who don’t qualify for meal benefits. This program saves children the embarrassment of not having money to pay for their meals. This program was established to be a temporary solution until other
arrangements can be made to assist the child and family on a more permanent basis.

As unfortunate as it is there are children who go hungry, even in this community. Parents may find themselves in situations that are beyond their control (such as medical problems, unemployment, or family difficulties) and this program will minimize the affect on the children due to these circumstances. Specifically the kids will be provided with nutritious meals. We know kids do better in school if they are well nourished.

How does it work?

Funds are available to provide K-12 students with a nutritious lunch when the need has been identified by the principal, teacher, or other staff member. Before the Feed the Kids funds can be accessed, a referral application must be completed and approved by the School Nutrition Office.

How can I contribute to the Feed the Kids fund?

Donations are needed and accepted year round from individuals or groups. Contributions should be mailed to the School Nutrition Office at 903 Gilmore Avenue, Winona, MN and checks made payable to Winona Area Public Schools Feed the Kids Fund.

The history of Feed the Kids fund:

The goal of the WAPS School Nutrition Program is to help kids make healthy life-long food choices. Kids who eat nutritious meals perform better in all aspects of their lives. The National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs have been providing healthy lunches to students for more than 50 years. We are committed to providing menus with a wide variety of foods that are lower in fat and sodium with moderate amounts of sugar.

The United States Department of Agriculture regulations require that our menus comply with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Lunch menus over a school week contain no more that 30 percent of calories from fat. Parents can be assured that their children are receiving a delicious and nutritious meal when they eat with us in the Winona Area Public School cafeterias.

Over 40 child nutrition professionals promote healthy school meals for our students each day.