3.9.4 School Meals by Student Nutrition Services (SNS)

Student Nutrition Services (SNS) is committed to providing students the equitable support they need to succeed in the classroom and beyond, by keeping them nourished along the way. We strive to create a student-centered, equitable, and financially stable school food ecosystem with thriving employees that provides dignified meal experiences and engages all students in a positive food culture. You can find your menus at sfusd.edu/menus. 

California Meals for All allows SFUSD Student Nutrition Services to provide one Breakfast and one Lunch served at no cost to all students.   

See additional benefits of free meals for students below: 

• No pre-enrollment is required for a student to receive free meals.
• Save time and money by taking advantage of free school meals!
• Your participation helps direct Federal and State funds to San Francisco and supports the meal program to improve and expand.

School meals are served by SNS Dining Staff at SFUSD school cafeterias and kitchens. Our team of over 200 dining staff are dedicated people who care deeply about the health of all students; our work wouldn’t be possible without their leadership, expertise, and historical knowledge. 

Learn more about our meal programs, initiatives, and dining staff at sfusd.edu/nutrition. See your school’s bell schedule for meal service times.

About Nutrition Guidelines

The District’s nutrition guidelines meet or exceed the standards outlined in Federal, and State, policies established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and California Department of Education (CDE). We align our procurement practices with the Good Food Purchasing Policy (GFPP), supporting our commitment to the health and equity of our students and our food system. SNS sources high-quality ingredients and all meals are free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, MSG, benzoates, bromates, sulfites, hydrogenated fat, BHA, BHT, TBHQ and sodium nitrites/nitrates.

Read or download the nutrition guidelines at sfusd.edu/bewell.

Funding

Our operations are funded through reimbursements from Federal and State governments,  and the SFUSD funding. Our innovation projects are funded by the Kodama Foundation, No Kid Hungry, the San Francisco Sugary Drinks Distributor Tax, and SF 2016 General Obligation Bond.

See chapter 3.11 for the Multipurpose Family Income Form to determine eligibility for free or reduced educational benefits. The form is not required to receive free school meals, but can help you qualify for other school fee waivers or city benefits and can help SFUSD schools qualify for after school supper, summer meals, and classroom funding!

Contact Us Link to this section

Website: www.sfusd.edu/schoolfood

Office location: 841 Ellis St. San Francisco, CA 94109

Email: SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu 

Phone: (415) 340-1716

Follow us on social media: @SFUSDschoolfood

What Food Is Served at School? Link to this section

We serve breakfast and lunch at all schools. Supper is available at select schools and afterschool programs. Snacks are served in our Early Education schools. Every day we strive to provide access throughout the school day to food that is healthy, culturally diverse, affordable, fair, sustainable and loved by students. Each meal includes:

• A choice of meat or vegetarian entrée. The type of meat is clearly labeled on all menus.
• Nutritious Grain options and/or protein options (yogurt, eggs, and more!)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables. 
• Optional 1% or fat-free milk.  Water stations are available in or near the cafeteria.

We strive to source local and sustainable products whenever possible, including California-grown produce and products from local small businesses. View menus at www.sfusd.edu/menus.

• If you would like to purchase individual items without the complete free meal (such as milk or whole fruit only), Parents/Guardians need to first set up an account at SchoolCafe.com to upload funds. The complete balanced meal is what can be offered for free to students.
• SNS offers bagged lunches for school field trips. This order is placed by teachers or school staff when they schedule the field trip.

We're increasing the number of meals we are providing through our in-house menu program. The McAteer Culinary Center, a full-scale kitchen renovated in Fall 2019, serves independently-located Early Education sites and the two high schools on campus (The Academy at McAteer and Ruth Asawa School of the Arts).  We're upgrading equipment at various schools to prepare more freshly made meals in-house. As facilities are upgraded to prepare and serve fresh food, our procurement practices can improve as well. We can purchase high-quality food and ingredients in alignment with the Good Food Purchasing Program, allowing us to nourish our students with more local and sustainable menu options.

At schools with limited kitchen facilities, Student Nutrition Services partners with outside vendors to provide daily delivery of meals. All meals meet SFUSD's Nutrition Guidelines.

Special Dietary Needs Link to this section

SFUSD does not serve any items with peanuts or tree nuts. However, we do bring in products that may be produced in facilities that handle and process nuts, so we cannot guarantee that meals are completely free of traces of nuts, or nut residue. SFUSD will provide food substitutions to a child with a disability, including those with dietary restrictions when the need for substitution is supported by a written medical statement or completed California Department of Education medical statement form.  The form must be signed by a licensed physician, a physician assistant, or a nurse practitioner, and can be downloaded at www.sfusd.edu/specialmeals.

The written medical statement must clearly identify/include the following details:

• Information about the child’s physical or mental impairment that is sufficient to allow SFUSD to understand how it restricts the child’s diet.
• Diet prescription or an explanation of what must be done to accommodate the child.
• Food(s) to be omitted from the child’s diet.
• Food or choice of foods that must be substituted in the child’s meals.

The fluid milk substitution form can be completed and signed by the student's parent/legal guardian.

Submit the completed dietary request forms by email to SchoolLunch@sfusd.edu. Please allow up to 10 business days for special diet orders to be available at your school. Please note that SFUSD does not offer special dietary accommodations due to diet preferences that are not considered a disability, such as religious beliefs, moral reasons, taste preferences, or lifestyle choices. Student Nutrition Services values providing a variety of protein sources on our menu and offers a vegetarian option daily.

For more information about Special Dietary Needs, including the California Department of Education medical statement forms and how to access allergen and nutrient reports, visit www.sfusd.edu/specialmeals.

Values Based Procurement Link to this section

San Francisco Unified is the second school district in the nation to adopt the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP), a 5-value framework that uses the power of procurement to promote transparent and equitable food practices. As the largest public food provider in San Francisco, Student Nutrition Services has the opportunity to participate in a national shift toward a healthier food system. Learn more at www.goodfoodpurchasing.org.

Top SNS FAQs 

• Where can I find my Eligibility letter?
  • You can find your eligibility letter in SchoolCafe. Please see our Quick Guide for access instructions.
• Does SNS offer bagged lunches for field trips?
  • Yes! Upon request from your student’s teacher, SNS can provide bagged lunches for field trips. Please ask your student’s teacher about this if unsure.
• My student has a food allergy, can they be accommodated so they still participate in school meals?
  • Yes, Student Nutrition Services makes accommodations for students with medically verified food allergies. The process for requesting Special Meal Accommodation varies for EED Standalones and TK-13 sites. For most requests, a signature from a licensed medical professional is required.
  • Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations Form
    English, Español, 中文, Tiếng Việt, عربى, Tagalog.
  • View the detailed Special Meal Accommodations Process for a more detailed explanation.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (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 (PDF), 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, Mail Stop 9410
   Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
2. fax:
   202-690-7442; or
3. email:
   Program.Intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.