Welcome to Child Nutrition!

UPDATE - USDA Waiver:
Free School Meals for All Mason Students

All students will have access to free meals daily in SY 21-22. The USDA has extended waivers that allow Mason City Schools to offer one free breakfast meal and one free lunch meal on each school day under the Seamless Summer Option program.

Free meals must meet the criteria as set forth for a reimbursable meal under USDA guidelines.
Lunch at no cost consists of 5 components:

Grades 1-8: Entrée (grain, protein), choice of 1-3 fruits and vegetables, & milk

Grades 9-12: Entrée (grain, protein), choice of 2 fruits and 2 vegetables, & milk

Students must select a minimum of 1 fruit or vegetable, plus 2 other components to be considered a lunch meal and to receive at no charge.

What Makes A Meal .png

Note: Extra entrée items, milk, beverages, additional fruits/vegetables, and a la carte may still be purchased from your student’s meal account.

Families are encouraged to submit free and reduced meal applications to ensure that they continue on the free and reduced meal program when this USDA waiver ends. Approval for the free and reduced meal program is still required for Mason City Schools instructional fee waivers. Click here for a free and reduced meal application.

The department also appreciates efforts by families to place funds on meal accounts in advance in order to minimize the handling of paper money and checks in line during COVID. Families may reference Easy Ways to Pay for payment methods.

We look forward to serving your students! Please contact Tamara Earl, SNS, Child Nutrition Supervisor with any questions.

The Nutrition Services department is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, well being and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices. Meals, foods, and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.