Nutrition

SoWashCo Schools uses SchoolCafé for student meal accounts. When setting up an account, you will be asked to select a school district. In this field please type South Washington at which time our district in Minnesota will pop up. You are also required to select a username and password along with basic contact information. You will need your student’s school ID number when registering for an account. Students' ID numbers can be found in the Parent Portal. Click on your student's picture, the student number is located in the box next to enrollments or call the Nutirtion Services office at 651-425-6280.

With a SchoolCafé account, you are able to set email low balance reminders, schedule automatic payments when a balance of your choosing is reached, review student purchases online, and apply for Educational Benefits (free and reduced). SchoolCafé also has a free mobile app available for use on any smart device (please note that free and reduced meal benefit applications must be completed through a web browser).

SchoolCafé account guide

Donation Information:

Donations may be designated to a specific site if requested. Please include contact information with any donation, such as name and/or the organization and address.
 
Donations may be received at any of the schools within the district or sent directly to:

South Washington County Schools
Attn: Nutrition Services-Food Service Support Fund
7362 E. Point Douglas Road S.
Cottage Grove, MN  55016

Checks should be made payable to:
ISD 833 Nutrition Services withFood Service Support Fund written on the memo line. 

SoWashCo Schools will be using student PIN numbers to pay for school meals for the 2026-2027 school year.    

Where can I find my child's Student ID or Pin Number?

• Each student's PIN number is unique to their school lunch account created in SchoolCafé.
• Existing students' PIN can be found in the Parent Portal. In the left-side menu select "more" then select "student credentials". PIN letters will be sent to families by email in August. If you need assistance please contact the Nutrition Services Department at 651-425-6280

Checks received back from the bank

NSF Checks (includes checks written on closed bank accounts and stop payments).

South Washington County Schools procedure for handling NSF checks is as follows:

1. Nutrition Services will send a written notice to the person who issued the check(s) informing them of the deadline to make good on the check (and the $25.00 per check service fee charged by the school district). 
2. Nutrition Services will immediately block the accounts of all the children in the household and will not accept additional checks until the NSF check(s) and fee are made good.
3. Nutrition Services will debit the intended student's account for the money owed (amount of the check) if the NSF check and fee are not made good by the deadline date. Debiting a child's account will put the lunch account into a negative balance. The child will not be able to make ala carte purchases until the amount reflects a positive balance.
4. As soon as Nutrition Services receives payment (cash, cashier's check or money order) covering the amount of the NSF check and the $25.00 service fee, all accounts in the household will be unblocked, the debited account will be credited the amount of the NSF check, and future checks will be accepted and deposited into the lunch accounts. 

SchoolCafé 

School Cafe is a web-based system that allows parents to use their credit cards to deposit money on their children's lunch account. These payments can be one-time or set-up to recur when the account reaches an amount the parent specifies. Parents can also choose to receive a low balance alert when a specific account balance is reached. Parents can also review their students buying history. Register online by going to www.schoolcafe.com. You will need your students' ID Number which can be found in the Parent Portal. In the left-side menu select "today", the ID number will be located underneath the student's name on this page.

Credit cards accepted at SchoolCafe are VISA or Master Card, or your personal debit card.

Cash or Check

Parents may pay for school items with cash or check. If paying with a check, payable to: ISD-833 Nutrition Services. In the memo line add your students name and PIN Number.

Parents can write one check for multiple children at the same school. Provide each child's name, PIN and the amount for each account. 

Parents have 3 options for handling any remaining lunch balances.

1. Request a refund check.
2. Balances may be transferred to another student's lunch account.
3. Donate the balance to the Food Service Support Fund account to support students in need of assistance.

Prior to contacting Nutrition Services please remove any automatic payments and low balance alerts in SchoolCafé. 

Parents must fill out the SoWashCo Schoolcafé Account Refund or Transfer Form Google Document. If you need any additional help, contact the Nutrition Services Department at 651-425-6280 or creimer1@sowashco.org ​to make their selection. Any unclaimed Senior Meal Account balances will be donated to the Food Service Support Fund after March 1st of the following school year.

If you are changing to a school district that uses a different payment source, you may want to deactivate your account. You can do this in the My Profile section of your account, on bottom a web page there is a button that says "Deactivate My Account". If you choose not to do this, you may continue to receive notifications from SchoolCafé.

Negative Meal Charge Policy

In the event of a district wide closure, the menu from the day of the closure will be pushed to the next day. SchoolCafé will be updated as soon as possible to reflect the menu change.

À la carte foods and beverages are considered any product outside of food items listed on the menu or products that are over the allowable portion size. Examples of à la carte items include milk, a second entrée (“doubles”), a second serving of fruit or any item listed under our pricing guide. Prices and selection of items may vary throughout the year and are posted in the cafeteria and on the website. Once student accounts are negative, ala carte purchases are not permitted.

Students may purchase à la carte items using their pre-paid meal account. We encourage parents to discuss with students, what is allowed or not allowed to purchase. Parents can put limits on their students account; however items cannot be denied if a student uses cash to make purchases unless this specific limitation has been added to their account.

The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 requires all snacks sold to students must meet the “Smart Snack” guidelines. 

The Nutrition Standards for Foods are as follows:

• Any food sold in schools must:
  • Contain 10% of the Daily Value of one of the nutrients of public health concern (calcium, potassium, vitamin D or dietary fiber)
  • Be a combination of a food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit and/or vegetable; or
  • The first ingredient must be a fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein food; or
  • Be a “whole grain-rich” grain product; or
• Foods must also meet several nutrient requirements:
  • Calorie limits
    • Snack items: ≤ 200 calories
    • Entrée items: ≤ 350 calories
  • Sodium limits
    • Snack items: ≤200 mg
    • Entrée items: ≤480 mg
  • Fat limits
    • Total fat: ≤35%
    • Saturated fat: <10% of calories
    • Trans fat: zero grams
  • Sugar limits
    • ≤35% of weight from total sugars in foods

Nutrition Standards for Beverages:

• Plain water
• Unflavored low fat milk
• Unflavored or flavored fat free milk
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice
• 100% fruit or vegetable juice diluted with water and no added sweeteners

Elementary schools may sell up to 8 oz. portions, middle and high schools may sell up to 12 oz. portions of milk and juice. There is no portion size limit for plain water. 

“No calorie” or “lower calorie” beverages are allowed at the high school level.

• No more than 20 oz. portions of
  • Calorie free, flavored water
  • Other flavored and/or carbonated beverages that are labeled to contain < 5 calories per 8 fluid ounces or ≤10 calories per 20 fluid ounces.
• No more than 12 oz. portions of
  • Beverages with ≤40 calories per 8 fluid ounces, or ≤60 calories per 12 fluid ounces.

Other Requirements:

• Fundraisers
  • The regulations do not apply during non-school hours, on weekends and at events off-campus.
• Accompaniments
  • Accompaniments such as cream cheese for example, must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food item sold.

SoWashCo Schools Nutrition Services adhere to specific regulations to accommodate special diets for students. USDA regulations, 7CFR, Part 15b, require substitutions or modifications in school meals for children whose disabilities restrict their diets. A child with a disability must be provided food substitutions when a special diet statement is signed by a recognized medical authority which includes a Licensed Physician, Physician Assistant or Advanced Practice Nurse or Registered Dietitian. Under the American's with Disabilities Act, anything that substantially limits a major life activity constitutes a disability. A food allergy does not need to be life threatening to be considered a disability.

Nutrition Services:

• Provides allergen and nutrition information on SchoolCafe for our menued food items.

• Offers nut containing foods at secondary schools and the products are labeled “contains peanuts” or “may contain peanuts.”

• Provides Managers, Assistant Managers or a designated Food Service Worker with advanced allergen training to better understand the importance of cleaning, sanitizing and preventing cross contact in preparation and service areas. These staff members have received their ServSafe Allergen Certificate.

• Recognizes the importance of communication with teachers, parents, health aides, paraprofessionals and school administrators to better manage the special dietary needs of students.

How do I develop a plan to accommodate my child's dietary needs?

• Obtain a copy of the Special Diet Statement to Request Dietary Accommodations from the Health Services staff or from the Nutrition Services webpage.
• As specified on the Special Diet Statement have the recognized medical authority for the accommodation fill out the form in its entirety and ensure it has been signed prior to sending the form to the school.
• Return the form to Health Services and discuss the plan.
• Health Services will give a copy of the special diet statement to Nutrition Services.
• Nutrition Services will make accommodations to the menu based on the special diet statement. If further information is needed, the Nutrition Services staff will contact the parent or legal guardian.

What is the special diet statement for a participant with a disability?

The Special Diet Statement is a form which provides information about the child, the reason for which the diet must be modified, defines which foods are to be omitted and substituted and is signed by a recognized medical authority based on whether the student has a disability, food allergy, medical condition or a need for a fluid milk substitution. The form will need to be filled out and signed before any meal modifications will be made.

Who is considered to be a recognized medical authority?

A Licensed Physician, Physician's Assistant, Advanced Practice Nurse, or Registered Dietitian

How often does the special diet statement need to be renewed?

The form will need to be renewed whenever the participant’s special diet needs to be changed. If changes are not needed, the current form will follow your student from K-12.

Can you submit a new special diet statement mid-year?

Yes, anytime there is a change, a new statement needs to be filled out and signed by the appropriate medical authority.

WHO DO I CONTACT FOR SPECIAL DIET QUSTIONS?

• Erica Pawletzki, Nutrition Specialist at 651-425-6206 or epawletz@sowashco.org
• Bobbie Jo Grummons, RD, LD, SNS, District Dietitian at 651-425-6250 or rgrummon@sowashco.org

Food Items Containing Pork:

• BBQ in a Bag (elementary, middle and high school)

• Build your own Carnitas Burrito (miidle, high school)

• Calico Beans (elementary, middle and high school)

• Cheeseburger Pizza (middle school)

• Cuban Sandwich (middle, high school)

• Egg Bite with Bacon & Cheese (elementary, middle, high school)

• Fruit Snack, Mixed (elementary, middle, high school)

• Lucky Charms Cereal (elementary, middle and high school)

• Pepperoni Pizza (elementary, middle and high school)

• Pork Steak (high school)

• Pulled Pork Sandwich (elementary, middle and high school)

• Rice Krispies (elementary, middle and high school)

MILK SUBSTITUTIONS:

MN State Statute 124D.114 requires schools to provide one of these alternatives for a student with lactose intolerance if the parent has requested, in writing, an alternative:

• Lactose reduced milk, lactose free milk or soy milk
• Milk fortified with lactase in liquid, tablet, granular, or other form
• Milk to which lactobacillus acidophilus has been added

Juice or water cannot replace milk in the National School Lunch Program.

If coconut, almond or rice milk are desired, a special diet statement will need to be filled out in order to accommodate the substitution.

Consequently, Nutrition Services will substitute lactose reduced milk for students whose parents have requested this alternative in writing. Please send the written request to the Health Services staff at your child’s school.