Food and Nutritional Services

Breakfast and lunch menus are planned in accordance with USDA guidelines. A registered dietitian, along with a menu committee, plans each meal with regard to nutrition, food quality and availability. Menus are planned to reflect preferences of the school community and to encourage students to eat nutritious meals. Menus, recipes and products are constantly updated to follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans by:

• Providing one-third of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for specific food groups, as well as one-third of calorie needs for each age or grade group for lunch, and
• Providing one-fourth of the RDA for specific food groups, as well as one-fourth of calorie needs for each age or grade group for breakfast.

Grade groups are used to determine the proper nutrition for students. The three grade groups are K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. The major differences between the three are the number of calories, number of bread/grain servings and the amount of protein for each group.

Parents or guardians of a child with a severe food allergy or special diet needs should contact the school nurse. Parents may be asked to have their child’s licensed physician complete a Special Diet Statement and submit it to the school nurse. The school nurse will share the Special Diet Statement with the school Nutrition Services manager and the district supervisor. The school manager and the parent will meet to complete the Special Nutrition Needs form and agree on a communication plan. For more information about food allergies and special diets, visit the Allergies page.

360 Communities (formerly known as Community Action Council)

• Apple Valley: Shepherd of the Valley/Our Daily Bread Food Shelf

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

  • Schedule an appointment by calling 952-985-7388

  • 12650 Johnny Cake Ridge Road, Apple Valley
     

• Burnsville: Burnsville Resource Center
  • Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • Schedule an appointment by calling 952-985-5300 
  • 501 East Highway 13, Suite 102, Burnsville 
     
• Farmington: Farmington Food Shelf
  • Mondays and Thursdays from 12-4 p.m.
  • Schedule an appointment by calling 651-463-5019
  • 510 Walnut St., Farmington
     
• Lakeville: Messiah Lutheran Church
  • Tuesdays and Thursdays 12-3 p.m.
  • Schedule an appointment by calling 952-431-5116, ext. 11
  • 16725 Highview Ave., Lakeville
     
• Rosemount: Rosemount Family Resource Center
  • Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m., and Tuesday evenings from 5-7 p.m.
  • Schedule an appointment by calling 651-322-5113
  • 14521 Cimarron Ave. West, Rosemount

Every Meal - Four- to five-pound meal bags containing nutritious, nonperishable food items. Free for all children, families and individuals.

• Burnsville YMCA 
  • Monday-Friday from 5 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • 3850 Portland Ave., Burnsville
     
• Hastings YMCA
  • Monday-Friday from 5 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • 85 Pleasant Dr., Hastings

The Open Door - Schedule an appointment  by calling 651-686-0787.

• Monday 10 am–3 pm, Tuesday 10 am–3 pm and 4:30-7pm, Wednesday 10 am–3 pm, Thursday 10 am–12:30 pm and 4:30-7 pm, Fridays, 10 am–12:00 pm.
• 3000 Ames Crossing Road, Suite 100, Eagan

The C.H.A.P. Store - Caring, Helping and Providing provides a Saturday food distribution event that is open to all.

Arrive at 11 a.m. to participate in this drive through distribution. Recipients generally receive fresh produce, deli items, bread, and sweets depending on that day's donations.

• Lutheran Church of the Ascension, 1801 Cliff Rd. East, Burnsville

Prince of Peace Mission Outpost - Provides food, clothing, linens, household items, hygiene items and community resources.

• Appointments are required and can be made by calling 952-898-9311. Guests are invited to receive food one time a month. 
• Mondays and Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m.; Tuesdays from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; Thursdays from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; and the Thursday Food Fair from 2-3 p.m. 
• 13901 Fairview Dr., Burnsville 

Neighbors, Inc. - Serving northern Dakota County, this is a food shelf drive-up system.

• 222 Grand Ave. West, South St. Paul

• 651-455-5000

Fruit of the Vine Food Shelf - Client choice shopping style or curbside pick up service. 

• Food shelf is open every Saturday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. 

• First Covenant Church, 1280 Arcade St., St. Paul

Salvation Army - This food shelf serves Apple Valley, Burnsville, Eagan, Farmington, Lakeville, Rosemount and Savage

• Mondays, 1-3 p.m. and 5-7 p.m.; Tuesdays 12-2 p.m.; Wednesdays, 5-7 p.m.; and Thursdays, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
• Inside Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 13901 Fairview Dr., Burnsville
• 952-898-9367 

The Lord's Cupboard in Rosemount

• Wednesdays 4-6:45 p.m. (or by special arrangement made by phone)
• 16120 Cedar Ave. South, Rosemount
• Email: stc.churchofchrist@yahoo.com
• 952-431-7004

Organizations Providing Community Meals 

Episcopal Church of the Nativity

• 15601 Maple Island Road, Burnsville
• Every Wednesday from 5-6 p.m.
• 952-435-8687

Hastings United Methodist Church

• 615 15th Street West, Hastings
• All-year community meals Wednesdays at 6 p.m. (at no charge)
• 651-437-4398

Crossroads Church

• 17671 Glacier Way, Lakeville
• Community meals Wednesday (every week fall through spring) from 5:30-6:00 p.m. (donation requested)
• Grocery Give-away: first Saturday of every month 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• 952-469-PRAY (7729)

Dinner on the Hill (provided by All Saints Church)

• 19795 Holyoke Avenue, Lakeville
• 2nd Thursday of each month from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Hosanna! Lutheran Church

• 9600 163rd St. West, Lakeville
• Every Tuesday from 5-6:15 p.m.
• 952-435-3332

Riverheights Vineyard Church

• 6070 Cahill Ave. E, Inver Grove Heights
• Loaves & Fishes, Monday-Thursday, 5-6 p.m.
• 651-457-7644

Second Harvest SNAP Outreach Specialists are available over the phone for application assistance and sharing of food resources. Call 651-209-7963 to leave contact information. Multilingual interpreter services available.

Free meals for kids (new app)

Only a click away, the Free Meals for Kids mobile app will help families and kids find free meals at schools and other sites across Minnesota.

How it works:

1. Download the Free Meals for Kids app to your cell phone.
2. Use the app to find the nearest site providing meals by GPS.
3. Click on the nearby site and use the Site Updates tab for more details.
4. Share the app with friends, neighbors and on social media.

Free Meals for Kids can be downloaded at Apple or Google Play app stores.

There are free meal sites across the state at schools and community locations. The app provides location, directions to the site and hours and days of operation. More sites are added daily. For more information: www.hungerimpactpartners.org.

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Sign Up for SUN Bucks

SUN Bucks is a new federal program (formerly known as Summer EBT) that provides $120 in child food benefits to bridge the summer meal gap. SUN Bucks is a joint effort with District 196 and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The SUN Bucks card is mailed from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the primary address District 196  has on file. There is no specific age limit for receiving SUN Bucks (Summer EBT) benefits. Children can receive SUN Bucks if they are school-aged and meet certain eligibility criteria, such as attending a school that participates in the National School Lunch Program or the School Breakfast Program. Families not yet enrolled should apply for educational benefits through our school district. Access the state’s SUN Bucks webpage to learn more or visit the MNbenefits webpage for other support programs.

For questions about your student’s meal account or balance information, please contact the food and nutrition services manager at your student’s school.