Hope Academy Meal Program
At Hope Academy, we are committed to our students’ health and wellness. Research shows that healthy students are better able to pay attention in class and better positioned to succeed in school and in life.
The goals of our food program are to:
- Support the academic success and achievement of our students
- Provide nutritious meals at no charge which allow students to maintain focus
- Provide healthy and fresh food offerings along with education on making healthy choices
- Expose our students to new culinary experiences while still offering “kid favorites”
Student Meals at No Charge
All Hope Academy students are provided healthy, nutritious meals at no charge, including breakfast and lunch through the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Encourage your student to start each day with a healthy school breakfast! Eating breakfast at school is a great way for students to socialize with friends and to start the day ready to learn. And for families on the go, it makes the morning rush so much easier!
Each month, menus will be available at the main office, posted in the cafeteria, and shared on our website.
We are pleased to be partnering with Southwest School Food Excellence who will be supplying meals for our school. Meals are planned with student preferences in mind and follow the regulations of the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program.
Healthy School Meals contain:
- Lean protein
- Whole grains
- Fresh Fruits or 100% Fruit Juice
- A variety of vegetables
- A choice of milk,
Meals are minimally processed, calorie and sugar controlled, low in sodium, contain less than 10% saturated fat and 0g of trans fat.
Note: A student may also choose to bring in his/her own meals; however, all foods must adhere to the Wellness Policy. Students are not permitted to bring in foods that are unhealthy or high in sugar including candy, soda, energy drinks, donuts, cupcakes, chips, salty snacks, candy bars, etc. Additionally, students are not permitted to bring food that requires any preparation, such as heating or cold storage.
Smart Snack Requirements throughout the Day
At Hope Academy, we are committed to health and wellness, not just at meal times, but throughout the day. Children need healthy snacks for energy, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, to help them grow, learn and be active.
ALL treats sent from home for celebrations (e.g., birthdays), snack times, etc. or provided by school staff for class rewards, incentives, etc. MUST meet the USDA Smart Snack requirements or feature non-food items. USDA Smart Snacks do not include cupcakes, ice cream, fast food, outside pizza, Flaming Hot Cheetos, etc.
Click here for a list of Smart Snack and non-food ideas (Insert link to Healthy Celebrations list). As a guideline, allowable snacks meet the following nutritional requirements per serving:
- 150 calories or less
- 35% of total calories from fat or less
- 10% of total calories from saturated fat or less
- 30g of sugars or less
- 230 mg of sodium or less per serving
Please note that the school has a no gum policy. Students are not permitted to bring or chew gum at any time while they are on the premises.
Summer Meals
When school is not in session, the Summer Meals Program (SFSP) provides free meals to kids and teens in low-income areas. Click the link below to quickly and easily find summer meal sites near you.
Allergies and Meal Modification
If your student has any food allergies or needs a meal modification, families are required to notify the school nurse and provide documentation from a licensed medical professional, such as a Physician, Dietician or other medical professional that is authorized to write prescriptions. Download and print the required Meal Modification Form for Meals at School. Return completed forms to the school. Meal Modification forms must be renewed annually.
- Meal Modification Form
- See the Accommodating Special Dietary Needs Chart to determine if your meal request can be accommodated.
For more information on the school nutrition program, contact: Leslie Cummings at lcummings@integrityedservices.org
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and USDA civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, 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 state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). 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:
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
