The mission of the Department of Food & Nutrition is to serve high-quality and nutritious food choices that will support the district's efforts to provide educational opportunities that prepare all students to be responsible and productive members of a diverse society. The Food and Nutrition program serves in excess of 1,620,000 lunches and 1,080,000 breakfasts to students during the school year. In addition, 86,000 snacks are served for after-school programs during the regular school year. The department operates an award winning summer food and nutrition program for children to provide nutritious meals during the time school is not in session.

The department is completely self-sufficient financially with sales exceeding $6,200,000 per year. Food and Nutrition receives no local tax dollars and is supported through its student customers, adult customers, and federal reimbursements.

Lunches served to students meet one-third of the minimum daily requirements for nutrients and calories. The Food & Nutrition Department utilizes Nutrient Standard Menu Planning, which allows for no more than 30% of calories from fat and no more than 10% of saturated fat. There are additional requirements for other essential nutrients as well. These meals are provided by 110 dedicated employees in a caring and professional manner. By enhancing their skills through staff development opportunities, food service employees are constantly striving to better serve the stakeholders of Highlands County.

• Florida School Nutrition Association

• SBHC Food & Nutrition's HACCP Plan

• SBHC Wellness Policy

• School Nutrition Association - Parents Resources

• Summer Food Service Program

• USDA Department of Agriculture

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Website , from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

Mail: 
U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights  1400 Independence Avenue SWWashington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442     

Email USDA

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.