Committee reviews new food-service policy, affirms CEP participation and USDA compliance
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Summary
Staff recommended flexible language for a newly drafted food-service policy that reflects Richmond Community Schools’ district‑wide participation in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), USDA timing rules for vending/fundraisers, and monthly reconciliations; further review requested before first reading.
Richmond Community Schools’ policy committee reviewed a new food-service policy (8500) on Feb. 13 and discussed how the draft interacts with existing USDA, IDOE and district practices.
Operations staff explained the district participates district‑wide in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which currently provides free breakfast and lunch for all students in most buildings. Staff recommended preserving flexibility in policy language so the district can continue offering breakfast and lunch outside narrowly prescribed time windows and meet USDA meal-service requirements.
The committee discussed vendor oversight, annual certification and training requirements for the school nutrition director, and the rule that food and beverage sales cannot compete with USDA meal service within a 30‑minute window around lunch periods. Staff noted vending machines are largely compliant and that concession stands operate outside the restricted window. For prepaid meal accounts, staff described current practice: parents are notified about balances and positive balances are either refunded or may be moved to the student-aid/lunch fund if not claimed within the district’s standard timeline.
Members asked staff to confirm vendor notifications and to bring back clarified language to ensure the policy aligns with IDOE/USDA requirements and district practices.