Child Nutrition Services (CNS)
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Reimbursable Meal?
A “reimbursable meal” is a school breakfast or lunch that meets USDA nutrition standards. These meals meet daily/weekly calorie/nutrition targets and portion size requirements for age/grade groups as dictated by the USDA School Breakfast Program (SBP) and National School Lunch Program (NSLP) that we adhere to in Leander ISD.
What Does Offer vs. Serve (OVS) Mean?
Offer Vs. Serve’ offers every component to students as part of a reimbursable meal, but students are allowed to refuse items based on personal preference. OVS reduces plate waste and allows students a choice in what they wish to have for breakfast and lunch. However, the student may take every component offered.
Key Requirements OVS Breakfast: Each tray must have at least 3 items and 1 item must be a ½ cup fruit* and/or vegetable. 4 items** must be offered to students each breakfast.
*8oz of 100% fruit juice is considered a fruit
**Some foods may be the equivalent of two items
Key Requirements OVS Lunch: Students must select at least 3 components of the 5 components offered (meat/meat alternate, grain, fruit, vegetable, milk) one of which must be a 1/2 cup of fruit and/or vegetable.
How much is a ½ cup of fruit or vegetable?
This poster is prominently displayed at every salad bar in the district. At secondaries, whole fruit is available for convenience at every register. One piece of whole fruit meets the ½ cup minimum. Additionally, per USDA guidelines, french fries (potatoes) are considered a vegetable. Please note that all products in our kitchen are baked. No fryers exist in the district.
My student is lactose-intolerant. Do they need to take a milk?
No, no student is required to take a milk under offer vs. serve! As long as the student takes 3 items at breakfast or 3 components at lunch (one of which being a ½ cup fruit and/or vegetable), the meal is still considered reimbursable.
My student is enrolled in the meal benefit program - why am I being charged for a breakfast or lunch entree?
If a student does not take the required components in the correct amounts, the meal is not considered reimbursable, and the cafeteria will charge a la carte prices. Our cashiers are trained to encourage all students to take the fruit/vegetable ½ cup minimum, but we cannot force any student to do so. Additionally, if extra items are taken outside of the reimbursable meal (an extra entree for example), the cafeteria will charge accordingly. Pricing can be found under Additional Items on the A La Carte Menus.
I forgot to add funds to my student’s account. Will my child be served a meal?
Leander ISD understands situations may arise that prevent students from having available funds to purchase a meal. Because of this, the district allows a grace period so that students can continue to enjoy a hot meal until funds are deposited. This grace period is the equivalent of the cost of five lunch meals, or $15 for elementary students and $16 for middle and high school students. Once a student hits this limit, they will be offered a fully reimbursable meal, and no trays will be taken away. Students and Parents / Legal Guardians are responsible for any negative balances accrued and will receive letters emailed from our online system and/or printed from the school district. Phone calls to the number on the student’s account may also take place to rectify the account by our Nutrition Services office, campus cafeteria managers, or campus guidance counselors to rectify the account. No a la carte items will be allowed to be charged to a student’s account if their account is in the negative. However, if a student has cash in-hand and wishes to purchase an a la carte item and has a current negative balance, they will be allowed to purchase that item. All efforts will be made throughout the year to rectify any student accounts with a negative balance. Individual campuses may add to this effort with their own rules or collection attempts.
