Special Diet Accomodations
Special Meals and Dietary Accommodations Policy
Beardsley School District Nutrition Services is committed to providing meals that meet our meal program’s nutritional requirements while accommodating students with disabilities that restrict their diet.
Disability-Related Meal Accommodations
Federal regulations require school food authorities to provide reasonable meal modifications, at no additional charge, for students whose disability restricts their diet.
When a student requires a meal modification because of a disability, Nutrition Services will work with the parent/guardian and appropriate medical professional to provide safe and appropriate meal accommodations.
For most disability-related meal accommodations, a Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations (CNP-925) must be completed and signed by a registered dietitian or an appropriate state-licensed healthcare professional. The medical statement must identify the disability or impairment, explain how it restricts the student's diet, identify foods to be omitted, and recommend appropriate substitutions or modifications.
Fluid Milk Substitutions for a Disability
For a student whose disability affects their ability to consume fluid milk, a fluid milk substitution may be provided as required by federal and state regulations.
For a disability-related fluid milk substitution at lunch only, a parent or legal guardian may submit the Parental Request for a Fluid Milk Substitution for School-Age Children (SNP-26). This parent/guardian option applies specifically to fluid milk substitutions and does not replace the medical documentation requirements for other dietary accommodations.
Non-Disability Dietary Requests
Beardsley School District does not provide meal substitutions or nondairy beverages for dietary preferences or special dietary needs that do not rise to the level of a disability.
Examples may include, but are not limited to:
- Personal food preferences
- Vegetarian or vegan preferences
- Religious or cultural dietary preferences
- Requests for nondairy beverages for non-disability reasons
How to Request Disability-Related Accommodation
Parents or guardians who believe their child requires a meal accommodation because of a disability should contact Beardsley School District Nutrition Services.
Appropriate documentation (CNP-925) will be reviewed by Nutrition Services, and the district will work with the family and medical professionals, as needed, to ensure the student's dietary needs are safely and appropriately accommodated.
Nutrition Services will maintain required documentation and communicate the accommodation to the appropriate school staff.
Our goal is to ensure that students with disabilities have equal access to safe, nutritious, and reimbursable school meals.
Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians
Parents/Guardians must provide a completed Medical Statement form that includes the following:
- Description of Child’s Physical or Mental Impairment Affected.
- Explanation of Diet Prescription and/or Accommodation.
- Foods to be Omitted and Appropriate Substitutions.
- Signature of Registered Dietitian (RD) or State Licensed Healthcare Professional and date.
To ensure accurate meal service, parents are requested to:
- Help to ensure students identify themselves during meals. Students can say “Aloha” to staff at the beginning of the serve line to help confirm that their special meal is needed and received.
- Communicate the student’s special dietary needs to school staff when the student transfers or promotes to a different school or district.
- Communicate any dietary change as prescribed by medical authorities.
- Notify teachers, principals or after school activities/programs, regarding your child’s allergy/disability.
Please contact us at (661) 392-8758 if you have any questions or concerns regarding this information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: My child has a dairy allergy. How do I request milk-free foods?
A: If your child's dairy allergy is a disability that restricts their diet, please provide the appropriate documentation to Nutrition Services. For most disability-related meal accommodations, a completed and signed Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations (CNP-925) from a registered dietitian or state-licensed healthcare professional is required. The medical statement must identify the foods that must be omitted and recommend appropriate substitutions or modifications.
Q: What if my child does not like milk?
A: We understand that students have different food preferences. However, Beardsley School District does not provide a nondairy beverage or other meal substitution based solely on a student's personal preference.
Students may choose whether to take the milk offered with their meal.
Q: Our family is vegetarian. Are vegetarian lunches provided?
A: Beardsley School District does not provide individualized vegetarian or vegan meal substitutions. However, vegetarian food choices are available on the regular menu throughout the week, and additional vegetarian options may be available at the Junior High salad bar. SunButter sandwiches are also available when requested in advance. Families following a strict vegan diet may need to provide lunch items from home.
Q: What if my child has a food allergy?
A: A food allergy may qualify as a disability when it substantially limits one or more major life activities. When a student's allergy qualifies as a disability and the district receives the required documentation, Nutrition Services will provide appropriate meal modifications.
The medical documentation must explain the students’ dietary restrictions, identify the foods that must be omitted, and recommend appropriate substitutions or modifications.
Q: What if I disagree with the school’s decision?
A: You should talk to school officials. You may also ask for a hearing by calling or writing to:
Anne Lerma, Director Student Nutrition: 1911 Mineral Ct. Bakersfield, CA 93308
Q: My child has special dietary needs. How does Student Nutrition Services provide for them?
A: See details above on this page. For additional and more specific information, contact the Student Nutrition office at (661) 392-8758.
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the state or local agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027 (PDF), found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; - fax:
202-690-7442; or - email:
[email protected].
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.