Food and Nutrition Services Department
School Year Menus
- Click School Breakfast and Lunch Menus to view the Somerville breakfast and lunch menus.
- Snack Menu: September
If you need a letter indicating that you qualify for free or reduced lunch, please email Karyn Novakowski with your student(s) full name(s), the school(s) that they attend, and your full name.
Reminders
- Read the letter from FNSD Director Lauren Mancini in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole.
- School breakfast and lunch are permanently FREE for ALL students in Massachusetts this School Year.
- Get the most accurate and up-to-date information by viewing the menu daily online.
5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT SOMERVILLE SCHOOL FOOD
- Students may select ONE complete Breakfast and a complete Lunch daily at NO COST for the entire 2023-2024 school year!
- Even though breakfast and lunch are now permanently free for Somerville students, we still ask that some of our families fill out the free and reduced school meals application form. See details under FREE AND REDUCED PRICE SCHOOL MEALS APPLICATION.
- Breakfast and lunch menus can be found online here.
- Special dietary accommodations may be made with advanced communication. See details under STUDENT ALLERGY MANAGEMENT PLAN.
- Fill out the Somerville Food and Nutrition Services Department 2023 Survey to help us develop menus, education curriculum, and communication plans for the next three to five years.
- Survey in English.
- Additional languages will be added soon.
Read the Newsletter!
Fall newsletter coming soon!
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Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application
Students eat for free in all Somerville Public Schools in the year 2023-2024. We still ask that some of our families fill out the free and reduced school meals application form so that they can access services through the schools and city.
- 2023-2024 Massachusetts Application for Free and Reduced Price School Meals
- Not sure if you need to fill out a free / reduced meals application? Read through the flowchart in English (see below), Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian-Creole.
Student Allergy Management Plan
The purpose of this plan is to reduce the risk that a life-threatening allergic reaction occurs at school and to enable school staff to provide appropriate treatment if an allergic reaction does occur.
No peanuts or tree nuts or products containing them are served in SPS cafeterias. However, students may bring them from home, so we cannot guarantee a nut-free cafeteria.
Nine foods - peanuts, tree nuts, milk, soy, egg, wheat, fish, shellfish, and sesame - are the most common sources of serious allergic reactions (anaphylaxis), although any food has the potential to do so.
Approximately 4% of our students have been diagnosed with an allergy to one or more foods. Keeping these students safe requires a coordinated effort by all of us: parents/guardians; school nurses, teachers and staff; students, and the Food and Nutrition Services Department.
It is the policy of the Somerville Public Schools that all children with a diagnosed life-threatening allergy have the following:
- an up-to-date epinephrine auto-injector
- an Allergy Action Plan/Epinephrine Order signed by a medical professional
- a Medication Administration Plan signed by the parent and school nurse that includes a plan for field trips
- If a student has an allergy to wheat, dairy, egg, or soy and will be eating school-prepared meals, a Special Diet Request Form must be filled out by a school nurse so appropriate substitutions / accommodations can be made. These plans must be renewed annually.
Visit the School Nursing page.
School Breakfasts and Lunches
The Food and Nutrition Services Department (FNSD) is recognized around the nation for its innovative approach to healthy eating in a diverse community. The Director, Lauren Mancini, and Assistant Director, Pauline Uccello, are both members of the School Nutrition Association (SNA) of Massachusetts. The FNSD is committed to providing high quality, nutritious, and innovative meals for students and staff throughout the school year and the summer. The FNSD is continuously developing new recipes featuring fresh fruits and vegetables and making nutrition education a priority.
All food and beverage items sold through the a la carte programs meet the guidelines established by the Massachusetts Action for Healthy Kids.
All of the meals and snacks offered by the Food and Nutrition Services Department meet the nutritional and meal pattern requirements set forth by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for participation in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. Visit the USDA website for more information.
Under the guidance of the USDA, FNSD offers meals that are complete and reimbursable.
A breakfast is complete and reimbursable when it includes three of five offered components: Grains, Meat/Meat Alternative, Dairy, Fruits, Vegetables. One component must be a Fruit.
A lunch is complete and reimbursable when it includes at least three of five offered components: Grains, Meat/Meat Alternative, Dairy, Fruits, Vegetables. One component must be a Fruit or Vegetable.
Questions or comments about school meals? Call or email Food and Nutrition Services Department Director Lauren Mancini at 617-629-5690.
SPS complies with the USDA Non-discrimination Statement.
Lauren Mancini, Director
Pauline Uccello, Assistant Director
Karyn Novakowski, Nutrition and Sustainability Coordinator