Child nutrition director: No upcharge for substitution meals

Tahlequah Public Schools’ child nutrition team works every day to follow state and national mandates to provide quality meals within the district.

Rhonda Kerns, director of child nutrition, said her team believes learning and good food go together.

“We strongly believe there is a direct tie between effective learning and good nutrition,” said Kerns. “Each day our child nutrition team serves nutritious meals that comply with all U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.”

The team not only meets the guidelines, but goes the extra distance to help each child in the district enjoy his time in the cafeteria.

“Each child has the opportunity each day to take a meat or meat alternative, fruit, vegetables, bread or grain alternative and milk,” said Kerns. “In addition to our main serving lines, each of our schools have fruit and vegetable bars with a variety of offerings daily.”

Kerns said if a child in the district has a disability, determined by a doctor, and the disability prevents the child from eating the regular school meal, the child nutrition program will make a substitution prescribed by the doctor.
“There is no extra charge for that substitution meal,” said Kerns. “Regular meal prices will apply.”

Kerns and her team have sent free and reduced-price meal forms to all schools, to be passed on to students for parents to complete.

Kerns said students who qualified last year for free or reduced meals are still on the plan through Sept. 24.