Benton Community Food Service & Nutrition Program Overview
Welcome!
The Food Service and Child Nutrition Program offers nutritious breakfasts and lunches at every Benton Community Schools building. Proper nutrition is fundamental for the success of academic programs. Our meals meet the new USDA Nutrition Standards, which requires the following:
Jane Svestka - Food Service Director
P.O. Box 70
Van Horne, Iowa 52346
Phone: 319-228-8701 x119
Fax: 319-228-8747
E-mail: jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Lunch Program Information
The Food Service and Child Nutrition Program offers nutritious breakfasts and lunches at every Benton Community Schools building. Proper nutrition is fundamental for the success of academic programs. Our meals meet the new USDA Nutrition Standards, which requires the following:
- Age-appropriate calorie limits
- Larger servings of vegetables and fruits (students must take at least one serving)
- A wider variety of vegetables, including dark green and red/orange vegetables and legumes
- Fat-free or 1% milk (flavored milk must be fat-free)
- More whole grains
- Less sodium
Jane Svestka - Food Service Director
P.O. Box 70
Van Horne, Iowa 52346
Phone: 319-228-8701 x119
Fax: 319-228-8747
E-mail: jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Lunch Program Information
Meet Our Staff
Food Service Director --
Jane Svestka - Office located at MS/HS
Food Service Administrative Assistant --
Donna Ludwik – Office located at MS/HS
Food Service Managers --
MS/HS – Dawn Morris
Norway Elementary – Angie Bright
Atkins Elementary – Tammy Linnabery
Free/Reduced Applications and Information (see more info below)
Donna Ludwik or Jane Svestka
Food Service Director --
Jane Svestka - Office located at MS/HS
Food Service Administrative Assistant --
Donna Ludwik – Office located at MS/HS
Food Service Managers --
MS/HS – Dawn Morris
Norway Elementary – Angie Bright
Atkins Elementary – Tammy Linnabery
Free/Reduced Applications and Information (see more info below)
Donna Ludwik or Jane Svestka
Meal Prices 2019-20
Please follow this link to log into the lunch account system
- K-8 Lunch -- $2.75
- 9-12 Lunch -- $2.95
- Adult Lunch -- $3.75
- K-6 BK -- $1.75
- 7-12 BK -- $1.95
- Adult BK -- 2.50
- Milk -- 40¢
Please follow this link to log into the lunch account system
Free & Reduced Price School Meals
If your total household income is within the limits listed in the table below, your children may be eligible for either free or reduced-price school meals. If your child/children qualify, you may also be eligible for food assistance benefits from the State of Iowa, Department of Human Services (DHS).
For questions or more information contact:
Donna Ludwik - 319-228-8701 x118 or dludwik@benton.k12.ia.us
Jane Svestka - 319-228-8701 x119 or jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Click on the following links for a Free & Reduced Application and Income Guidelines (Foreign Language applications available upon request)
How to Apply
Income Guidelines
2019-20 Eligibility Information
Iowa Application for Free and Reduced Meals
If your total household income is within the limits listed in the table below, your children may be eligible for either free or reduced-price school meals. If your child/children qualify, you may also be eligible for food assistance benefits from the State of Iowa, Department of Human Services (DHS).
For questions or more information contact:
Donna Ludwik - 319-228-8701 x118 or dludwik@benton.k12.ia.us
Jane Svestka - 319-228-8701 x119 or jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Click on the following links for a Free & Reduced Application and Income Guidelines (Foreign Language applications available upon request)
How to Apply
Income Guidelines
2019-20 Eligibility Information
Iowa Application for Free and Reduced Meals
Lunch Menus
The Food Service and Child Nutrition Department is committed to working together with parents to engage students in developing life-long healthy eating habits, not only in school, but at home. Links to menus for various grade levels can be found below. All menus are subject to change. Menus are provided in .pdf format and require Adobe Reader to open.
Menus & Nutrition Info
Diet Modification Form
The Food Service and Child Nutrition Department is committed to working together with parents to engage students in developing life-long healthy eating habits, not only in school, but at home. Links to menus for various grade levels can be found below. All menus are subject to change. Menus are provided in .pdf format and require Adobe Reader to open.
Menus & Nutrition Info
Diet Modification Form
Meal Requirements
Schools across the United States offer meals to students that meet the reimbursement guidelines from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). School meals are priced as a unit, and we receive federal and state reimbursement to offset our costs.
To get the most for your money, encourage your child(ren) to purchase a complete meal.
For breakfasts, students may choose:
1 serving: Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk)
1 serving: 4 oz. fruit juice OR fruit
1 or 2 servings: Grain/meat/meat alternative (which includes the daily entrée)
If students choose at least 3 components, one of which must be a fruit or fruit juice (milk, fruit, grain and/or meat/meat alternate), their breakfast will be at the reimbursable meal rate. If they only choose 2 components, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA's requirements for a complete reimbursable meal.
Example Menu: Cheerios, Yogurt, Orange Slices, Fruit Juice, Milk
Student selects --- Cheerios, Yogurt, and Fruit Juice
This is a reimbursable breakfast!
For lunch, students may choose:
1 serving Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk)
1 serving Fruit
1 serving Vegetable
1 serving Grain
1 serving Meat/Meat Alternate
If students choose at least 3 components (milk, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate) with one being a fruit and/or vegetable (1/2 cup minimum), their lunch will be at the reimbursable meal rate. If they only choose 2 components, or do not take a fruit or vegetable, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA's requirement for a complete reimbursable meal.
Example Menu: Hamburger, Whole Wheat Bun, Romaine Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Apple Slices, Milk
Student Selects --- Hamburger on Whole Wheat Bun, Apple Slices (1/2 cup), and Milk
This is a reimbursable lunch!
Visit the USDA site for more information on USDA School Meal Requirements
Schools across the United States offer meals to students that meet the reimbursement guidelines from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). School meals are priced as a unit, and we receive federal and state reimbursement to offset our costs.
To get the most for your money, encourage your child(ren) to purchase a complete meal.
For breakfasts, students may choose:
1 serving: Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk)
1 serving: 4 oz. fruit juice OR fruit
1 or 2 servings: Grain/meat/meat alternative (which includes the daily entrée)
If students choose at least 3 components, one of which must be a fruit or fruit juice (milk, fruit, grain and/or meat/meat alternate), their breakfast will be at the reimbursable meal rate. If they only choose 2 components, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA's requirements for a complete reimbursable meal.
Example Menu: Cheerios, Yogurt, Orange Slices, Fruit Juice, Milk
Student selects --- Cheerios, Yogurt, and Fruit Juice
This is a reimbursable breakfast!
For lunch, students may choose:
1 serving Milk (1/2 pint fluid milk)
1 serving Fruit
1 serving Vegetable
1 serving Grain
1 serving Meat/Meat Alternate
If students choose at least 3 components (milk, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate) with one being a fruit and/or vegetable (1/2 cup minimum), their lunch will be at the reimbursable meal rate. If they only choose 2 components, or do not take a fruit or vegetable, we must charge for each item separately, as the selections would not meet the USDA's requirement for a complete reimbursable meal.
Example Menu: Hamburger, Whole Wheat Bun, Romaine Lettuce, Tomato Slices, Apple Slices, Milk
Student Selects --- Hamburger on Whole Wheat Bun, Apple Slices (1/2 cup), and Milk
This is a reimbursable lunch!
Visit the USDA site for more information on USDA School Meal Requirements
Food Allergy Information
Please Read:
Safe at School & Ready to Learn
If your child has a disability or life-threatening food allergy and you would like a substituted menu, you will need to obtain a Disability/Medical Condition Statement for Foods Served by calling the Nurse or Health Associate of the school your child attends or the Nutrition Services Department at 319-228-8701, or print off the form below. This form will need to be signed by a physician licensed by the State and returned to the nurse where your student attends. Requests for special diets must be submitted annually and updated by a physician annually.
Diet Modification Form
Please Read:
Safe at School & Ready to Learn
If your child has a disability or life-threatening food allergy and you would like a substituted menu, you will need to obtain a Disability/Medical Condition Statement for Foods Served by calling the Nurse or Health Associate of the school your child attends or the Nutrition Services Department at 319-228-8701, or print off the form below. This form will need to be signed by a physician licensed by the State and returned to the nurse where your student attends. Requests for special diets must be submitted annually and updated by a physician annually.
Diet Modification Form
Parent Resources
At home you do what you can to make sure your kids eat healthier and stay active. But since they spend so much of their day in school, your influence is needed there, too. As almost any teacher will tell you, healthy foods and regular physical activity can make a positive difference in the classroom. They may help kids concentrate better, perform at their best, have better attendance.
Start a Conversation
Let people at school know this issue is important to you. Ask who is working on ways to improve food or physical activity options and how you can help.
Sign up - Join in
Volunteer for a project or join a parent's committee on wellness. Get on the agenda at the next parent's association meeting.
Let Your Kids See You Making Healthier Choices
Be their role model for healthy foods and physical activity at home and school.
Make Fundraisers Healthier
Instead of the usual candy and dessert foods, how about selling fresh fruit or holding a car wash or walkathon? Healthier choices can work just as well and are better for everybody.
Pick-a-Better-Snack Monthly Newsletter
At home you do what you can to make sure your kids eat healthier and stay active. But since they spend so much of their day in school, your influence is needed there, too. As almost any teacher will tell you, healthy foods and regular physical activity can make a positive difference in the classroom. They may help kids concentrate better, perform at their best, have better attendance.
Start a Conversation
Let people at school know this issue is important to you. Ask who is working on ways to improve food or physical activity options and how you can help.
Sign up - Join in
Volunteer for a project or join a parent's committee on wellness. Get on the agenda at the next parent's association meeting.
Let Your Kids See You Making Healthier Choices
Be their role model for healthy foods and physical activity at home and school.
Make Fundraisers Healthier
Instead of the usual candy and dessert foods, how about selling fresh fruit or holding a car wash or walkathon? Healthier choices can work just as well and are better for everybody.
Pick-a-Better-Snack Monthly Newsletter
School Wellness
The district's wellness policy is an important tool for parents and school staff to promote students wellness through nutrition and physical activity, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.
USDA Smart Snacks
The USDA has implemented a new Smart Snack program that replaces the Iowa Healthy Kids Act.
Healthy Snacks
Benton Community Schools will be re-forming the Wellness Committee this 2018-19 school year to update our Wellness Policy. Anyone who is interested in participation on this committee should contact Jane Svestka, Food Service Director at 319-228-8701 x119 or jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Wellness Policy
The district's wellness policy is an important tool for parents and school staff to promote students wellness through nutrition and physical activity, prevent and reduce childhood obesity, and provide assurance that school meal nutrition guidelines meet the minimum federal school meal standards.
USDA Smart Snacks
The USDA has implemented a new Smart Snack program that replaces the Iowa Healthy Kids Act.
Healthy Snacks
Benton Community Schools will be re-forming the Wellness Committee this 2018-19 school year to update our Wellness Policy. Anyone who is interested in participation on this committee should contact Jane Svestka, Food Service Director at 319-228-8701 x119 or jsvestka@benton.k12.ia.us
Benton Community Wellness Policy
