Bentonville Public Schools

Nutrition Services

Director of Nutrition Services
Cricket Scott, SNS
(479)254-5046

Production Supervisor
Laura Munson
(479)254-5047

Assistant Director of Nutrition Services
Lesa Owens
(479)254-5882

Assistant Director of Nutrition Services
Katie Schartz
(479)254-5879

Finance and Accounting Supervisor
Amy Loftus
(479)254-5095

Manager of Nutrition Services
Mary Denny
(479)254-5045

Operations Support/HR Support Assistant
Ashley Mooney
(479)696-9511

Catering/Special Events Supervisor
Wendi Hinkle
(479)696-9575

Total students in Reduced Lunch Program: 1058 students
Total students in Free Lunch Program: 3275 students
Current Lunch Menus Calendars: Lunch Menu Calendars

USDA FINAL RULE

Dear Parents, Staff and Administration,

As you have become aware, we have made changes to our school lunch program.

Effective July 2012, the USDA, the office that governs the nutrition requirements for school food service programs, mandated 72 new “rules” that directly impact what we serve, the amount of each item we serve, and how often we must serve these items. While these changes continue to improve the nutrition for our children throughout the US, this is different than how we served our students in years past.

It is your food service team’s responsibility to ensure that the new nutritional requirements are in place. It is very important that we continue to communicate these changes and the positive impact they have on our students.

Our program will continue to exceed the guidelines set forth by the USDA. The following chart outlines a quick comparison of the “Then and Now” for lunch.


A Short Explanation

Prior to 7/1/12

Required Changes Starting 7/1/12

Complete LUNCH Meal

Students choose a minimum of three of the offered items:

  • Entrée (Usually both protein & grain)
  • Grain (usually with the “entrée”)
  • Vegetable (“side item”)
  • Fruit (“side item”)
  • Milk
  • Each child must choose from three of the above items offered to have chosen a complete meal.
  • Portion sizes have minimum requirements only
  • Children can have as much of each as they want

Students choose a minimum of three of the five offered items. One item MUST include a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable

  • Protein and bread portion sizes have minimum and maximum (new) size requirements: A minimum of ½ of the bread and grain choices (buns, rolls, pizza crust, sandwich bread, rice, noodles, etc.) must be whole grain, and grain portions are smaller than before.
  • Every student MUST take a minimum of ½ cup of fruit or vegetable with their meal.
  • White milk may only be 1% or skim;
  • Chocolate milk (or any other flavored milk) can only be skim

Each child may NOW choose:

  • One of a variety of entrees
  •  Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Milk

At a minimum, each child MUST now choose at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable and two other items that are offered each day.

Prior to these changes, our food service program has - year over year - exceeded the nutritional requirements mandated by the USDA. The biggest changes this year:

There are additional changes that will be implemented throughout this year and the coming years. We will continue to send out communications regarding these changes as they become evident.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email me at 479-254-5046 or cricketscott@bentonvillek12.org.

Cricket Scott, SNS
Director of Nutrition Services

Announcements:

Free and Reduced Meal Program:

Bentonville Public Schools also participates in the government program for free and reduced meals. We send home with every student at the beginning of the year a form for them to fill out if they feel they qualify for this program. The form is a family application so only one needs to be filled out for the entire family. You must apply or reapply every year for this program. If you are approved for the program your child will be able to eat breakfast and lunch at school for free or a reduced price depending on your income.

Letter to Parents and Free and Reduced Lunch Application Form (Click here for Spanish version)

Meal Charges:

Meal charge guidelines for Bentonville Schools are as follows:

Parents are responsible for the full lunch price of student's meal until the free or reduced-priced meal application is approved and starting date begins.

Meals and Payments:

We offer a computerized accounting system to maintain students account. You may put any amount into your student's account and the proper amount will be deducted each time your child uses the account. With this system we can pull up what your child has eaten in the week or a month's time. This is very helpful for when a parents is concerned on where their child's money has gone.

We now have a system that allows you to make payments for your students lunch online! The new online system is available at www.SendMoneyToSchool.com New!!

CLICK HERE for the step-by-step instructions for SendMoneyToSchool.com. New!!

Our meal prices are as follow:

Elementary and Middle School Breakfast Junior and Senior High School Breakfast
Paid Student: $1.60 Paid Student: $1.60
Reduced Student: 30¢ Reduced Student: 30¢
Adult/Visitor: $2.00 Adult/Visitor: $2.00

Elementary and Middle School Lunch Junior and Senior High School Lunch
Paid Student: $2.40 Paid Student: $2.60
Reduced Student: 40¢ Reduced Student: 40¢
Adult/Visitor: $3.35 Adult/Visitor: $3.35

* All meals include ½ pint milk.

On the secondary level we offer À la Carte items; all students must pay full price if they choose to purchase these items. The Free/Reduced benefits do not cover the à la carte items.

À la Carte items offered:
Milk 1/2 pint: 35¢
Milk 16 oz.: $1.35 New!!
Water: $1.35
Dole Bottled Juice: $1.35
Baked Chips: $1.00
Snack Cheese: 75¢

* Additional items offered and price list: Secondary A la Carte Offerings | Elementary and Middle School Extra Offerings

Cafeteria Managers:
School Phone Number Manager
Apple Glen Elementary School 254-5594 Mari Ulloa
Ardis Ann Middle School 254-5526 Linn Wilson
Bentonville High School North 254-5187 Julie Worden
Bentonville High School South 254-5118 Sharon Crivello
Bright Field Middle School 418-7219 Brittney Todd
Centerton Gamble Elementary School 696-3410 Linda Petree
Central Park Elementary School 696-3248 Andi Weaver
Cooper Elementary School 696-3748 Diane Baker
Elm Tree Elementary School 254-5526 Linn Wilson
Lincoln Junior High School 254-5275 Tonya Keys
Mary Mae Jones Elementary School 254-5949 Sheila Thorpe
Old High Middle School 254-5729 Connie Steeby
RE Baker Elementary School 254-5729 Connie Steeby
Ruth Barker Middle School 696-3290 Karen Hall
Sugar Creek Elementary School 254-5805 Paula Cameron
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 254-5883 Rory Crivello
Washington Junior High School 254-5380 Lorena Holliday
Willowbrook Elementary School 418-7219 Brittney Todd

Newsletters:
Treat Yourself Right
Wellness Wise