Food Service Manager
410-901-6930
Food Service
About Us:
The Department of Food and Nutrition Services at Dorchester County Public Schools (DCPS) is proud to support the mission in partnership with the community, to provide leadership for excellence in teaching and learning for all students by: consistently advocating for resources, continuously developing sound policies, and carefully monitoring student progress. Dorchester County Public Schools participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) meal program. CEP was created through the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, and allows schools in low-income areas to offer breakfast and lunch at no cost to all students without the burden of collecting household meal applications.
CEP facilitates students access to nutritious school meals increasing student participation and eliminating unpaid meal balances. By offering all students nutritious meals at no cost, CEP helps schools ensure their students will come to class well-nourished and ready to learn.
Mission
School Food Service supports the educational mission and vision of DCPS by providing nutritious and appetizing meals for the growth and development of our students, in a safe and friendly environment introducing them to lifelong healthy eating habits. This will be achieved by our school nutrition professionals who are genuinely invested in our student’s success and well-being.
Vision
Enhancing education through nutritious meals so every student has access to a healthy diet.
Values
School Food Services values:
The quality and appearance of the food being served.
The importance of providing quality customer service to our students and staff
Providing increased access to a variety of healthy choices
Our employee’s contributions to the success of our team
Well fed students and happy kitchens
On-going nutritional analysis of our menu items to meet the current USDA requirements
Continual communication with school nurses for students with special dietary needs
Creating an understanding of the link between nutrition, physical activity and living a healthy lifestyle
Online & Interactive Menus
Downloadable and printable menus are available via the Health-e Meal Planner link below. Use this online interactive menu to access full breakfast and lunch menus, carbohydrate and allergen information. Visit the website, select your school and see the full menu.
We Proudly Serve:
*Whole Grain Bread Products, Pasta, Rice and Tortillas
*Self-serve Fruit and Vegetable Bars that consist of a variety of fresh fruits & vegetables, a variety of lightly sweetened canned fruits and other seasonal options.
*Low-fat Dressings
*Skim, 1%, Fat Free Strawberry and Fat Free Chocolate Milk are available
Menus & Nutrition Information
Dorchester County Public Schools participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program sponsored by the USDA. Breakfast entrees are accompanied by a variety of fresh and lightly sweetened canned fruit, 100% fruit juice and a variety of milk options. Lunch entrees are accompanied by a self-service fresh fruit and vegetable bar and a variety of milk options. A vegetarian entrée is available daily. The middle and high schools have expanded menus that feature fresh specialty salads, sandwiches, wraps, parfaits and freshly baked pizzas.
Carbohydrate Listing of all foods
Special Dietary Needs
It is our goal to provide students with the safest food and eating environment possible. Working together with parents, school nurses and other student support staff, we can help create a plan to meet special dietary needs.
Requesting Meal modifications
USDA Child Nutrition Programs support access to healthy meals for all children, including children with disabilities who have special dietary needs. Under the law, a disability is an impairment which substantially limits a major life activity, which can include allergies and digestive conditions, but does not include personal diet or religious preferences.
Before we can make modifications to meals, a Dietary Modifications Form, must be completed and signed by a State-recognized medical authority and returned to Food Services for processing. Food Services will then review the request and determine the extent to which the request can be accommodated. Often, further contact with parents/guardians and medical professionals is required to ensure appropriate modification are made available. Until a determination has been made and a plan has been developed and communicated with our kitchen staff, parents are responsible for providing appropriate food for their child. Parents/guardians will be notified as soon as the plan is ready to implement.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose free milk is available daily at all school locations. A Dietary Modifications form must be turned in so we can ensure that we have enough lactose free milk on hand for all students who require it.
Vegetarian/Meatless
In an effort to accommodate those students requiring meatless meal choices, Food Services offers a vegetarian entrée daily at all school locations.
Comprehensive School Wellness Policy
Wellness Procedures:
The wellness policy and procedure is reviewed by the School Health Council Committee. The School Health Council is chaired by the Mental Health Services Coordinator and consists of an interdisciplinary team representing community organizations such as the University of Maryland Extensions Office and Dorchester County Health Department, parents, school administration, social workers, nurses, food service, pupil services and special education. Every three years, the District’s School Health Council will review the lates national recommendations pertaining to school health and will update the wellness policy accordingly. Parents and community members are invited to join the wellness committee. If you are interested in joining, please contact Food Services at 410-901-6930.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online here. from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
3. Email Program
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
MSDE Nondiscrimination Statement
Links for The My School Menus App
MySchoolBucks
Pay for school meals and more, anytime, anywhere from your computer or smartphone.