Offer vs. Serve
Offer vs. Serve is a provision in the lunch program that allows students the option of declining some of the food offered. This system is designed to decrease food waste while offering flexibility to students. Students may refuse a food item. When a student can make choices, they are more likely to eat what they select. We encourage students to select all food items. Parents and other adults can help teach children how to make healthy food choices.
If your child(ren) qualifies for the Free & Reduced Lunch Program, they are encouraged to take the reimbursable meal being offered in the lunch line or they will be charged for each food item on their tray.
What is a reimbursable meal under the National School Lunch Program? The USDA Food & Nutrition states that each child must have 3 of the 5 food components on their tray to make it a reimbursable meal. Of the 3 required food components, 1 of the components must be 1 cup of fruit and/or vegetables. (ex. 5 food components consist of: Fruit, Vegetable, Grains, Meat/Meat Alternate, Milk)
Offer vs. Serve requirements for Lunch
• A student must take a minimum of 3 out of 5 food items.
• All meals have a standard price. For example: if a student takes 3, 4 or 5 food items, they will be charged the flat school lunch rate.
• A student may take a smaller portion of a declined item.
What we offer at lunch
• 5 food items: Meat/Meat Alternative; Grain/Bread; Vegetables; Fruit, Milk
What we offer at Breakfast
• 4 food items: Meat/Meat Alternative; Grain/Bread; Vegetable/Fruit (1 c.); Milk
Nondiscrimination Statement:
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 at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, 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:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
- fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal-opportunity provider.
Revised July 2022. 
