• Department of Food Services

    "Good Nutrition is Essential to Academic Excellence" 
     
     
    Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)
     

    We are pleased to inform you that Prairie-Hills ESD 144 is continuing to implement an option for School Year 2019-2020 that is available to students at all the schools within the district that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs.  The option is known as the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).

    Schools that participate in the CEP are able to provide healthy breakfasts and lunches each day at no charge for ALL students enrolled in the CEP school during the 2019-2020 School Year. 

     

    Department Mission

    The mission of the Food Service Department is to build a bridge for student learning and provide healthy school meals that meet and support optimal academic performance.  The Food Service Department is a team of food service professionals that are dedicated to students’ health, well being and their ability to learn.
     

    Department Overview

     

    The District’s child nutrition program is governed by the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs. Meals served at Prairie-Hills School District meet the state and federal requirements based on the USDA dietary guidelines. We currently serve eight schools with twenty trained staff members serving 3,000 students. Our employees are state certified food handlers who regard food safety as a priority. 

    In addition, to serving breakfast and lunch, we operate the Summer Food Program; this program provides breakfast and lunch to children in the community from the age of one to eighteen without charge.

    Again, it is our goal to continue in our efforts to provide good nutritional meals to our students. The body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow, and when good nutritional needs are met it is easier for our students to focus and learn. Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved class room behavior. Proper nutrition in school age years can reinforce lifelong eating habits that contribute to a student’s overall well being.

     

    National School Lunch Program

     

    The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) makes is possible for all school children in the United States to receive a nutritious lunch each school day.  If you choose to fill out an application for free/reduced priced meals, please stop by the District office located at 3015 W. 163rd Street, Markham, IL.  

     

    Contact

     

    Mr. Thomas Collins, Food Service Manager at (708) 877-3009 if you have any questions regarding food services. 
     
     
     
    In accordance with Federal 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, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) 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. Additionally, program information is available in languages other than English.

    To file a complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, or at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

     

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

    Fax:

    (202) 690-7442; or

    Email:

    program.intake@usda.gov

    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.