Students with disabilities and/or life-threatening allergies who require changes to the basic meal are required to provide documentation with accompanying instructions from a licensed physician. This is to ensure that the modified meal meets USDA requirements and to ensure that the modifications meet nutrition standards that are medically appropriate for the student.
The physician's statement MUST identify:
Student's Disability (and/or life-threatening allergy)
An explanation of why the disability restricts the student's diet
Major life activity affected by the disability
The food(s) to be omitted from the student's diet, and the appropriate food substitutions.
Students without disabilities or life-threatening allergies, but with special dietary needs requiring food substitutions or modifications, may request the school foodservice meet their special nutrition needs. The school food authority will decide these substitutions on a case-by-case basis. Documentation with accompanying information must be provided by a recognized medical authority.
*Students with disabilities as defined under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the Education of the Handicapped Act (IDEA) and students with a physician's assessment of food allergies that may result in a severe, life-threatening reaction will be accommodated regarding special diets as specified by a licensed physician.
