Nutrition Services

Child Nutrition Services

Purpose & mission

Child Nutrition Services (CNS) is continuously improving meals and services to meet nutritional requirements, provide a variety of menu items, and give customers the healthiest choices with the freshest ingredients available.

Department CONTACT
Gay Anderson

Gay Anderson

Child Nutrition Coordinator

✉ gay.anderson@k12.sd.us

✆ (605) 367-7962

What's the Scoop?

Child Nutrition Services (CNS) has long been a leader in implementing Child Nutrition Programs, maintaining a 99.8% average on health department scores, which reflects strict adherence to federal, state, and local regulations. Reviewed every 2 years, CNS evaluations include the implementation of regulations, menu analysis, & meal observations. Recent menu reviews confirmed that the District met federal guidelines for calories, fat, and saturated fat percentages, while the District's Supplemental Food Policy helps monitor high-sugar foods sold in schools.

Committed to offering healthy and affordable meals, CNS has introduced fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain pasta, and bread to all menus, with plans to evaluate dried bean and legume dishes. The District also upholds a Wellness Policy promoting student health and supports the "Team Nutrition Schools" program, with several schools applying for the "Healthier US" designation, a USDA initiative that acknowledges improvements in nutrition and physical activity.

CNS strives for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in providing nutritious, well-balanced, and affordable meals across various programs, including School Breakfast, Lunch, Summer Food Service, and Child Care Food Program. Additionally, CNS manages over 200 special diets and provides bakery items and catering for school events.

Strawberries

See what's on the lunch menu today!

Meal Viewer

Prices 2024-2025

Breakfast

Rate

Elementary

Secondary

Reduced

$0.00

$0.00

Student

$2.35

$2.45

Adult

$2.85

Lunch

Rate

Elementary

Secondary

Reduced

$0.00

$0.00

Student

$3.25

$3.45

Adult

$5.00

Milk

Rate

Elementary

Secondary

Students

$0.45

$0.45

Free and Reduced Meal Application

School Meal Requirements

Grades K-5

Breakfast

  • Calories: 350-500 cal.

  • Fruits: 1 cup

  • Grains or Meats/Meat Alternates: 1 oz.

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup

  • Sodium: ≤ 540mg

Lunch

  • Calories: 550-650 cal.

  • Fruits: 0.5 cup

  • Vegetables: 0.75 cup

  • Grains: 1 oz.

  • Meats/Meat Alternates: 1 oz

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup

  • Sodium: ≤ 1100mg

Grades 6-8

Breakfast

  • Calories: 400-550 cal.

  • Fruits: 1 cup

  • Grains or Meats/Meat Alternates: 1 oz.

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup.

  • Sodium: ≤ 600mg

Lunch

  • Calories: 600-700 cal.

  • Fruits: 0.5 cup

  • Vegetables: 0.75 cup

  • Grains: 1 oz.

  • Meats/Meat Alternates: 1 oz

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup

  • Sodium: ≤ 1225mg

Grades 9-12

Breakfast

  • Calories: 450-600 cal.

  • Fruits: 1 cup

  • Grains or Meats/Meat Alternates: 1 oz.

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup

  • Sodium: ≤ 640mg

Lunch

  • Calories: 750-850 cal.

  • Fruits: 1 cup

  • Vegetables: 1 cup

  • Grains: 2 oz.

  • Meats/Meat Alternates: 2 oz

  • Fluid Milk: 1 cup

  • Sodium: ≤ 1280mg

Healthy Foods Guide for Schools 

To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students and to follow the SFSD Wellness Policy, we ask parents and community members to consider the following information regarding food and beverages brought in during the school day. 

Popcorn

Birthday Treats 

Support Your Schools!

  • First consider non-food gifts. 

  • If food is desired, consider a healthy snack. A SFSD Child Nutrition provided snack for the class can be purchased by talking with the principal. 

  • Home-baked goods are not permitted. 

  • Food must be commercially prepared, individually wrapped with a nutritional label provided. 

  • Treats are for the student’s primary elementary classroom or middle school protime room only. 

Wish to make a donation to show you care for students and staff? Consider these items before considering food: 

Recommended Food Items 

  • Cereal/Granola Bar 

  • Cheese Stick 

  • Popcorn 

  • Fruit Cup 

  • Applesauce 

  • Pretzels 

  • Veggie Straws 

Non-Food Items 

  • Glow Sticks 

  • Chap Stick 

  • Pencils/Erasers 

  • Stickers 

  • Stress Balls 

  • Pencils/Smencils 

  • Bracelets 

  • Crazy Straws

  • Bubbles 

  • Bookmarks 

  • Silly Putty 

  • Dollar Store Items 

  • Water Bottles with flavored water packet 

  • Books 

  • Gift Cards 

  • Athletics Passes 

  • Paints 

  • Sidewalk Chalk 

  • Activity Books 

  • Board Games 

  • Helmets 

  • Art Supplies 

  • Ice Cream Coupon

  • Sports Equipment 

  • Undergarments 

  • Socks 

  • Phone Minutes 

  • Playing Cards 

  • Water Bottles 

  • Balls for Recess 

  • Cardstock/Paper 

  • Food ordered through Child Nutrition

Special Events (Homecoming, Year-End Celebrations), PTA/PTO, Boosters 

You’ve heard the saying, “Everything in moderation.” Homecoming pizza feeds aren’t necessarily out of the question. 

  • Schoolwide or grade level events should be infrequent and need principal approval. 

  • Healthy options must be available. 

  • Food can be ordered from Child Nutrition which is making some impressive additions to its menu. 

Student Lunch Meetings - Weekly Mentoring

Rewards, Prizes, & Incentives

Fast Food

Busy brains need a break. Lunch time is the perfect time to connect with like-minded people who share the same passion or goal.

  • Meetings over lunch should include healthy options. 

  • Meals must be prepackaged, commercially prepared, with a nutrition label provided. 

  • SFSD Child Nutrition meals/snacks may be purchased by talking with the principal. 

Let’s be honest. It feels good when someone notices all the hardwork you’ve put in! Celebrating success is always popular!

  • Work with the principal to make sure the reward is permitted. 

  • Consider non-food gifts first. (see above) 

  • If food is desired, consider a healthy snack. A SFSD Child Nutrition provided snack for the class can be purchased by talking with the principal. 

There is a time and place for everything. Fast food should be left to families. 

  • Commercial “fast food” should not be brought in or delivered during the during school day. 

Donations to the Sioux Falls School District Angel Account

We are grateful for the outreach from many of our parents and community members asking how they can help support school meals.

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Contact the Child Nutrition Office

✆ 605-367-7635

Helpful Links