Meals at NTPS

We proudly serve:

• Whole Grain Bread Products, Pasta, Rice, and Tortillas
• Many menu items prepared from scratch
• Self-Serve Fruit and Vegetable Bars that consist of: Romaine, Spring mix, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Cherry Tomatoes, Edamame, Kidney Beans, Cucumber Coins, Celery, Baby Corn, Apples, Oranges, Grapes, Bananas, a variety of lightly sweetened canned fruits, and other seasonal options.
• Low-fat Dressings
• Low Fat 1% White Milk and Fat Free Chocolate Milk

North Thurston Public Schools participates in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program sponsored by the USDA. Breakfast entrées are accompanied by a variety of fresh and lightly sweetened canned fruit, 100% fruit juice, and an option of 1% white milk or non-fat chocolate milk. Lunch entrées are accompanied by a self-serve fresh fruit and vegetable bar, and an option of 1% white milk or non-fat chocolate milk. A vegetarian entrée is available daily. The middle and high schools have expanded menus that feature fresh specialty salads, sandwiches, wraps, parfaits, freshly baked pizzas, and burgers.

Special dietary needs?

Working together with parents, school nurses, and other student support staff, we can help create a plan to meet special dietary needs.

Standard Food Allergy Substitutions  

USDA Child Nutrition Programs support access to healthy meals to all children, including children with disabilities who have special dietary needs. Disability is defined as an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. This can include allergies and digestive conditions. However, it does not include religious or personal diet preferences.

How do I get Special Dietary Accommodations for my child?

Please complete a Request for Special Dietary Accommodations form, and return this to your school.

Request for Special Dietary Accommodations

The request must include: 

• Food(s) to be omitted/avoided from the child’s diet. 
• How the ingestion of the food impacts the child. 
• Food(s) to be substituted. 
• A signature of a State-recognized medical authority (a licensed health care professional authorized to write medical prescriptions in Washington) for example: 
  • Medical Doctor (MD)
  • Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) 
  • Physician’s Assistant (PA) with prescriptive authority 
  • Naturopathic Physician 
  • Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP)

Continuing to work with your School

Continued communication is necessary for the most up-to-date care. Times to communicate with your school may include: 

• New special dietary needs. 
• Updated restrictions (for example: your child was not able to eat tomatoes, but now they can). 
• Questions or concerns about your child’s care.

Lactose Intolerance

USDA approved soy milk is available daily at all school locations. No forms or documentation are required to receive soy milk.

Vegetarian/Meatless

In an effort to accommodate those students requiring meatless meal choices, Food & Nutrition Service offers a vegetarian entrée daily at all school locations.

Wellness Committee

Parents and community members are invited to join the wellness committee and/or offer input.  If you are interested in joining the committee and learning about the regulations that govern school nutrition programs, please contact Food & Nutrition Services at 360-412-4446.

NTPS Nutrition and Wellness Policies and Procedures

• Policy 6700 & Procedure 6700P – Nutrition
• Policy 6701 & Procedure 6701P – Recess and Physical Activity
• Policy 6702 & Procedure 6702P – Wellness
• Policy 2124 & Procedure 2124P – Physical Education and Health

Assessment of Wellness Policy

July 2024 Wellness Policy Assessment (PDF)  

Smart Snacks Calculator

Does your snack meeting USDA Smart Snacks in School guidelines? Use the Smart Snacks Product Calculator to find out!

Other Nutrition and Wellness Links

• Tray Talk
• American Dietetic Association
• American Heart Association: Healthy Living
• Washington State Dairy Council
• School Nutrition Association
• OSPI Child Nutrition
• FightBac!
• Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network
• Preventative Care Schedule
• Exercise Bike:  A Guide To Living Healthy

School kitchens may be used if you have approval from the Food & Nutrition Services (F&N). Once approval has been granted, arrangements will be made for an F&N staff member to be present during use of any kitchen equipment. The staff member will be responsible for supervising use of equipment and supplies, along with assisting with any food preparation that takes place in the kitchen in order for the food function to be sanctioned by the Thurston County Health Department. $30 per hour will be charged for labor associated with use of a school kitchen.
 
To inquire on availability of school kitchens, please contact the kitchen manager or head cook at your school or email Food & Nutrition Services.