Nutrition Services

Our bodies need a variety of healthy foods each day. All meals include 5 important components – meat/protein, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk. Students do not have to take every item offered. For good health, they should select at least one fruit or vegetable choice to complete their meal. Choices include colorful fresh vegetables, salads, fruits, and featured hot sides. Students are welcome to make a second trip through the line for more vegetables. For a special treat, desserts are included with the meal from time to time.  

The cost for a complete lunch is $4.00 for PreK through 5th grades. The cafeteria account is prepaid, and lunches are preordered through FACTS. Multiple entrée options are offered daily.

You have the opportunity to apply for free and reduced-priced meals. Only a complete meal including all the required nutritional components qualifies for the free or reduced-price benefit. Applications are available online on the LCS Nutrition Services webpage or in the school’s front office. This is a confidential program. If you have questions, contact Sarah Ezell at (423) 497-0187 or sezell@lcstn.org. Learn about eligibility at www.tn.gov/education/health-and-safety/school-nutrition/free-and-reduced-price-meals.

The cafeteria account is prepaid through FACTS before lunches are ordered. Charges for items received from the cafeteria are deducted from the prepaid funds.

To make a payment:   

• Go to the Financial tab of the FACTS Family Portal. Follow the steps to add funds to the Prepay Cafeteria Account before ordering lunches each month.
   
• Be sure to load adequate funds for $4.00 per lunch plus any additional à la carte items. Any excess funds on your account at the end of the month rolls over to the next month.   
   
• If you do not want your student to charge à la carte, a note can be made on the account to alert the cashiers. Email sezell@lcstn.org to make a note on your student’s account.   
   
• Please review Lunch Charge Procedures in the handbook.   

Lunches are preordered through FACTS to help ensure that the right amount of food is prepared. Each month you will receive an email reminder to fill out your lunch order form before ­the due date.

To order lunches:

• Go to the Student tab of the FACTS Family Portal. Click on Lunch and then Create Web Order. Fill out the order form for each student.
   
• Review the grand total at the bottom of the order form. The grand total will reflect the minimum amount of prepaid funds needed to cover the cost of the ordered lunches.
   
• Click Order Items at the bottom of the form to submit the order form.  

Several à la carte options are available, such as whole grain-rich cookies, crackers, and snack bars; baked chips; 100% juice slushies; and more. They all meet the Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. à la carte items are not preordered. Families are responsible for all à la carte charges on their account.

A note can be made on your student’s account to restrict the charging of items, such as the following: “no charging”, “limit 1 extra item daily”, “slushie Friday only”, etc. Email sezell@lcstn.org to request for a note to be placed on your student’s account.   

Charges are entered for lunch items after they are received. No credit is needed for a missed lunch.

If a student does not have a lunch, a lunch order can be placed from their classroom in the morning by their teacher. Their account will be charged for lunches received, and families are responsible for the charges.

Requests for lunch modifications due to food allergies or other health conditions require a physician’s order and are considered on a case-by-case basis by Sarah Ezell, registered dietitian nutritionist. Send lunch modification requests to sezell@lcstn.org.     

We welcome you to enjoy a lunch from the café with your student. Please preorder visitor lunches. If the ordering deadline has passed, please contact the kitchen manager, Tammy Bull (tbull@lcstn.org) with your order.