We originally started serving school lunch in the Catholic School market in 1970, then expanded our service to include all types of schools - - private and public, elementary schools and high schools. Currently we serve approximately 70,000 children in 300 elementary schools, 22,000 teenagers in 34 high schools, and 2,500 adults in various senior care facilities. We are a medium-sized, locally based organization. Our service area covers Chicago and suburbs.

Your children's meals are prepared fresh daily. Many items, such as pizza, pasta dishes, cookies, cakes, spaghetti sauce, hot cinnamon rolls, and taco filling are prepared from scratch at our central food preparation facilities located in Chicago. We have our own in-house bakery where we bake our pizza, biscuits, cakes, and cookies.

Your children's food is delivered to the school daily in refrigerated vehicles, then prepared at the school by trained food service personnel.

All menus are planned by a team of specialists with oversight by our Staff Dietitian, adhering to the requirements of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. We use USDA approved computer software to analyze our menus. In accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, menus are designed to meet and exceed prescribed calories, with less than 30% calories from fat and less than 10% calories from saturated fat.

Trained specialists conduct student taste panels to assess acceptability of new menus or revised recipes on a continual basis. Foods are "kid tested and kid approved" before they are placed on the menu.

Our goal is to serve tasty, appetizing nutritious meals. We invite your children to try school lunch and breakfast!

Operations Oversight

District Managers are assigned to every school we serve. They visit the school periodically to provide training, inspect food service facilities, check basic accountability procedures, and offer assistance as needed.

Policies and Procedures Manuals are provided by FSP and are used by school staff to assure compliance with regulations and procedures. Periodically, appropriate governing agencies audit school operations to check compliance as well.

Ordering Procedures for Meals/Milk

Each school has its own ordering procedures for meals and milk. The procedure established for your child(ren)'s school should be followed.

FSP provides all schools with monthly menus. Menus are sent home with an order form - usually 2 to 3 weeks before the new month is to begin. The order form is filled out by the parent and child who together check off the meal choices and milk selection for the month. Those choices are recorded on the child's menu. The order form and exact payment are placed in an envelope, marked with the child's name and "Lunch/Milk Order" and turned in to the school by the due date. The child's menu is kept at home for future daily reference during that serving month.

Nutrition Education & Promotions

Incorporated into our monthly menus are various nutrition education topics with activities your child(ren) can do to reinforce the importance of good nutrition.

Each month, FSP plans promotions to highlight a special nutrition event, product, or holiday. Information on the monthly promotion is printed on the monthly menu.

Free & Reduced Price Meals

Children from families whose household size and income fall within the Federal Income Guidelines are eligible for free meals or reduced-price meals. To apply, all you need to do is fill out a very simple application form.

Application forms are sent home at the beginning of the school year. Additional forms are available at the school your child attends. Applications can be filled out at any time; if your household size or income changes during the year, you can always re-apply.

Information reported on the application will be kept confidential.

Federal Income Guidelines are the only acceptable criteria for approving benefits; the school is not allowed to make any exceptions.

Nutriline 773/385-6020

If you're interested in learning more about nutrition, call our "Nutriline." Featuring a new topic each month, and designed to appeal to both children and adults, Nutriline's brief, yet informative message will keep you in line with good nutrition practices!

Meal/Milk Tickets

In schools that use tickets, meal and milk tickets are given to students each day that they order a milk/meal. Tickets are kept at the school and are distributed right before lunch. Students turn their ticket in to the Foodserver in exchange for the meal/milk.

Tickets are made of a durable vinyl and will last the entire school year, if cared for properly. Up to two replacements are provided; thereafter, students will need to pay for replacements.

Commitment to Quality

FSP is dedicated to provide the highest quality, most wholesome food in each and every prepared meal. To achieve that goal, FSP is committed to a positive action program in the relationship with its suppliers and vendors. This means that all parties work together in obtaining the highest quality product available.

Our involvement does not end there. A thorough inspection of incoming product plus the incorporation of specific inspection points in the preparation and packaging process identifies our commitment to the program.

FSP takes very seriously any situation or concern that may affect the food being served. Whatever the situation may be, the organization will respond quickly and appropriately with the child's well being in mind. Occasionally, menu substitutions may be required.

If there are any questions or concerns that need to be addressed, you may contact the school directly, or FSP's Quality Assurance Department at 773/385-5040.

Milk

A well-balanced meal includes milk. Milk is included in the price of each meal. Students can also purchase milk without purchasing a meal.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that school-age children choose a diet low in total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol.* Reducing the total fat and saturated fat intake of children is a national health priority.* Milk lower in fat is one of the easiest ways for children to get the calcium and vitamin D they need, while reducing their saturated fat intake and heart disease risk. The milk choices available in our programs compliments these objectives.

*According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest

The school nutrition program is available to all eligible participants without regard to race, color, sex, age, disability, or national origin. Any person who believes he or she has been discriminated against in any USDA-related activity should write to: Administrator, Food and Consumer Service, 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, Virginia 22302.