Food & Nutrition Department
During this past 2011-12 school year, over 1 million breakfasts and nearly 4 million
lunches were served to the students of Harford County. Recently, the local and national
media has spoken of the major overhaul planned for school meals throughout the country.
Many of these requirements have already been implemented in Harford County. The
cafeteria staff in each school will keep ahead of any new regulations for healthy
meals. Extensive audits conducted this past year by state and federal officials
concluded HCPS meals exceeded current USDA nutritional standards. Nearly a half
of million dollars was allocated to the purchase of fresh fruits and vegetables.
We are committed to providing nutritious meals in a pleasant environment.
2009-2013 District of Excellence Award Winner!
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The Department of Food & Nutrition Services was awarded the District of
Excellence (DOE) distinction for school nutrition by the School Nutrition
Association on August 9, 2009. This national recognition will remain in place
through June 2013. Nationally, there are only 30 Districts of Excellence and
HCPS remains the only district in Maryland on this
distinguished list.
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A district of excellence must maintain excellence in four key areas which encompass
the “Keys
to Excellence” program: administration, communications/marketing,
nutrition/nutritional education, and operations, and meet their goals to serve attractive,
nutritious meals in a cost-effective manner. “Keys to Excellence” is the core of
the School Nutrition Associations professional development and training programs.
School Meal Information
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All cafeterias in Harford County Public Schools have a computerized cash register.
To pay for purchases, students enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN)
and proceed to the cashier. Students pay for purchases using cash or using money
place "On Account".
A student's PIN is the same as their student ID number and will remain the same
throughout their years in Harford County Public Schools. Students can become familiar
with their PIN and using the cafeteria PIN pad with a practice sheet
available here.
We encourage placing money "On Account". Money can be placed "On Account" using
a secure online fee-free payment center called Cafe Prepay or sending cash or a check
to school with the student. Student account balances are also available for monitoring
using this service and is available for log on at any time.
Depositing funds on account will allow students to purchase breakfast, lunch or
any a la carte item. Parents may request specific amounts be designated for breakfasts
or lunches only (prepaid meals) by placing a note on the check or notifying the
cafeteria manager/lead. *Write "pre-paid lunches"(or prepaid breakfast) and the $
value desired on the memo portion of the check.
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Benefits of placing money "On Account"
- Safe- the PIN ensures only the one student can access the account.
- Convenient- money cannot be lost or forgotten in the morning rush.
- Fast- cafeteria lines move more quickly so there's plenty of time
to eat.
- Monitored- see the secure accont balance anytime on Cafe Prepay.
-
Cost Efficient-
less costly and more nutritious than most bag lunches.
- Peace of Mind- the auto replenish feature on Cafe Prepay ensures
money for meals is always there for the student.
How are our menus created?
Each month a team of staff, including a registered dietitian, cafeteria leads, managers
and cooks, create a menu tailored to today’s student nutritional needs and tastes.
Menus are based on the meal pattern regulations established by the USDA and must
follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Feedback from cafeteria staff and students
is used to plan the menu.
Many items are availabe everyday including a variety of fresh fruits (often from
local farms), variety of cold sandwiches, tossed garden salad and low-fat milk in
several flavors. See our
Meal Deal
for more information.
Are Your School Meals Healthy?
Yes! Recently, local and national media have spoken of the major
overhaul planned for school meals throughout the country. Harford County Public
Schools have already implemented most of these requirements. Extensive audits conducted
this past year by state and federal officials concluded HCPS meals exceeded current
USDA nutritional standards. Our staff will continually work to keep ahead of any
new regulation for healthier meals. We are committed to providing nutritious meals
in a pleasant environment.
A full school lunch includes the choice of a main item, two or three different fruits/vegetables
and low-fat milk – this unbeatable combo provides a variety of nutrients (vitamins,
minerals, fiber, protein and carbohydrates- at least 33% of the Recommended Dietary
Allowance [RDA]) in portions tailored to meet the needs of the growing student body.
This past school year, nearly a half of million dollars was allocated to the purchase
of fresh fruits and vegetables. Additional items can be purchased for those students
who need even more than the usual calorie amount. A full breakfast includes an entrée,
a choice of fresh fruit or juice and milk.
Ala Carte Offerings
Ala
Carte
items are available for sale to students who purchase a school meal or who want
to supplement their lunch brought from home. In addition, any item on the menu is
also available for sale as a extra side. Fresh fruit variety, tossed salad, and
fresh vegetables are available everyday at every school. All items offered must
meet USDA regulations, MSDE nutritional guidelines and the approval of our staff.
Candy soda and other items of minimal nutritional value are never sold by the Food
and Nutrition program. All items are single serving and age-appropriately portioned.
Dietary and Special Restrictions
Students requiring medically indicated special diets
can participate in the School Meals program. The Food & Nutrition Department may
be able to make accommodations for special diets as ordered by your child's healthcare
provider. Parents must contact the nurse at the student’s school to begin accessing
this service. Documentation of the student’s specific needs will be required before
the Registered Dietitian on our staff can assist the student.
Helpful Nutritional Education Links:
School Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – especially for learning. A vital
part of school improvement is to ensure
that each child starts the day right with a healthy breakfast.
- Breakfast helps children learn.Numerous studies have shown that
breakfast improves learning, attendance, reduces behavior problems and tardiness.
Children who eat breakfast at school – closer to test-taking time – perform better
on standardized tests than those who skip breakfast or eat breakfast at home.
- Breakfast promotes good health.Eating breakfast results in fewer
visits to the school nurse, improves children’s diets, and helps build healthy habits.
Children who start the day with breakfast are less likely to have obesity concerns.
Harford County offers breakfast service at all locations for $1.05(.20 for reduced
approved students). If your child is approved for free meals, breakfast is free
of charge.
Several sites have been approved to serve Breakfast in the Classroom. Maryland Meals
for Achievement (MMFA) is an innovative classroom breakfast project that began in
1998. Participating schools offer breakfast in the classroom each morning and is
free to all students in that school.
The following schools have applied and have been approved for this program: Bakerfield Elementary, Riverside Elementary, William Paca/Old Post Road, Edgewood Elementary, Deerfield Elementary, Edgewood Middle, Magnolia Middle, Halls Cross Road Elementary, George D. Lisby @ Hillsdale Elementary, Havre De Grace Elementary and Magnolia Elementary schools.
Please encourage your child to start their day off right by eating a healthy breakfast
either at home with you or at school with their friends.

Informational video about school
breakfast in Maryland.
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Fun video students hear at several schools
announcing "It's Breakfast Time"
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Wellness
The Board of Education is commitment to maintaining school environments that promote
and protect student health through the provision of appropriate nutrition education,
physical education, a variety of healthy food and beverage choices and encouraging
all Harford County Public Schools (HCPS) employees to model healthy behaviors. Use
the link below to access Harford County Public School’s Wellness policy approved
April 2009.
Harford County Public Schools Wellness Policy
Free or Reduced Meal Benefit Program
Submit your 2012-2013 School Year Application by clicking the following link:
Meal Benefit Form
Our local area has been hard hit by the recent economical downturn. Households must
complete a new application each year to be approved unless notified by our office.
If you believe your household may be eligible for meals at a free or reduced price,
submit an application. Benefits are non-transferrable from other states or counties.
Applications may be submitted anytime throughout the year to your child’s school
office or faxed directly to our office. If you have questions regarding this process,
contact us at:
Harford County Public Schools- Food and Nutrition Services
101 Industry Lane
Forest Hill, MD 21050
Phone: 410.638.4078 Fax:410.638.4201
Links:
Farm to School Program
What is Farm to School?
The Jane Lawton Farm to School Program, named in honor of the late Maryland House
of Delegates member Jane Lawton of Montgomery County, was created during the 2008
Session of the Maryland General Assembly when SB 158 Farm-to-School Program - Activities
and Promotional Events, sponsored by Senator Jamie Raskin of Montgomery County was
signed into law by the Governor O'Malley.
Sponsored by the Maryland Department of Agriculture in partnership with the Maryland
State Department of Education, the Farm to School program works to bring more Maryland-grown
products to school lunches with the aim of educating students about where their
food comes from, how it is produced, and the benefits of a healthy diet.
Maryland is the only state in the country in which all of its public school systems
have participated in the program according to the National Farm to School Network.
The program also had the support of more than 30 different Maryland farms providing
fresh product to the schools. It is true example of a successful federal, state,
local and private collaboration that is working.
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The Harford County Food and Nutrition program is focused on supporting local farmers
and businesses and continues for its third year to participate in the Farm to School
program. During Maryland’s growing season, the fresh fruits and vegetables offered
during lunch are very likely to be from farms within 50 miles of Bel Air- most are
within 20 miles. In school year 2010-2011, over 60,000 pounds of produce was locally
grown and sent to our cafeterias. Look for the Farm to schools signs in your community
and continue to support local farmers who provide these great products to our students.
We encourage students to continue selecting fresh, local produce in school lunches.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a lunch?
Menus follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the menu pattern as established
by USDA. The menu patterns are designed to contribute, at a minimum, 25% of the
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for breakfast and 33% of the RDA for lunch.
See our
Meal Deal for more information.
I am interested in working in the cafeterias how do I apply?
More information on available positions within Food and Nutrition Department can
be found by clicking
here.
My children have multiple allergies and require a strict special diet. How does
HCPS provide for them?
Please contact your student's school nurse to begin accessing this service. Questions
may be emailed to
Karen Olsen R.D.
Our family is on Food Stamps and my children should be getting Free Meal Benefits.
Why are they being charged?
Families that receive SNAP benefit do indeed qualify for meal benefits, however
all families should submit an application to ensure they are granted to children
in your household. Applications are available at all school locations and by clicking
Meal Benefit Form
.
What is the balance of my child's account?
Parents may call our office at any time for information regarding their student's
balances or go to www.cafeprepay.com
24/7 and instantly find balance information or submit payment to fund the account.
What form of payment can I send with my child for meals?
We accept cash or checks at the cafeteria register. We strongly suggest using www.cafeprepay.com
to electronically fund their meal account. Cafe Prepay accepts credit and debit
cards pr monthly bank draft. It is free of all service fees after logging into this
secured site.
Our family is vegetarian. Are vegetarian lunches provided?
Vegetarian options are available daily at all locations. By talking with the cafeteria
manager an arrangement may be made to provide your child with a meatless meal if
one is not part of the selections on a specific day. The staff will need to know
at the beginning of the day if your child is present and wants a substitute meal.
What happens if my child forgets his lunch money?
- In the event elementary students forget their lunch money or lunch from home they will be allowed to charge lunches. Students that have an outstanding charge balance in excess of $10 will receive an automated phone call. A la carte purchases are never allowed to be charged.
- In secondary locations HCPS extends every child a courtesy charge of up to 3 meals. A la carte purchases are never allowed to be charged. When the maximum limit is reached and the student requests an additional charge he/or she is referred to an administrator on duty in the lunch room.
Please discuss the account balance with your child daily or log on to
www.cafeprepay.com to monitor the balance.
If your family is experiencing a temporary hardship please consider applying for
reduced meal benefits.
Meal Benefit Form
Food & Nutrition Services Team
Currently, Harford County Public Schools Food & Nutrition team consists of over
450 members. A great program begins with a great staff. Our 57 cafeteria locations
are staffed with mothers, fathers, aunts, grandparents and the neighbor next door.
The dedication and nurturing each of them provides is remarkable. Many have children
of their own in our school system and treat each child like their own. A great team
is made when an emphasis on food quality and customer service combine to provide
a great environment for kids to come relax in the cafeterias and eat nutritious
meals.
Inside each school, cafeterias aren’t just manned with the traditional ‘Lunch Ladies’.
Members of the team are truly food service professionals. The School Nutrition Association
as well as the Maryland School Nutrition Association (MDSNA) provides educational/training
opportunities throughout the year for directors, supervisors, cooks and servers
to keep up with the latest information on the current trends in school food service.
Nationally recognized credentialing and certifications opportunities exist and are
strongly encouraged. Locally, the Harford County chapter, HCSNA, holds fund raising
events each year for holiday toy drives and back to school supplies for needy students
right here in Harford County.
Join Us in Employment Opportunities
We are currently seeking applicants for food services workers and cafeteria substitues
- Convenient Hours and No Weekends
- Advancement Opportunities
- Competitive Pay
- Full Training Program
- Credentialing and Certifications Opportunities
Please Contact us at 410.638.4078 for more information, visit
Food and Nutrition Job Opportunities or
Harford County Public Schools Human Resources.
Questions or Concerns?
Gary Childress,
SNS
Supervisor Food & Nutrition
Office: 410-638-4078