Welcome to Nutrition Services!    

Missions Statement
The Dedham Food and Nutrition Services is dedicated to advancing children’s health and physical well-being by providing healthy, well balanced meals, promoting education and encouraging physical fitness attributed to better development of body, intellectual development and positive life decisions to improve quality of life.

Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand.

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 based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. All meals, foods and beverages are prepared and served by qualified child nutrition professionals. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.

The School Lunch Program
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program that provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. Congress created the NSLP after an investigation into the health of young men rejected in the World War II draft revealed a connection between physical deficiencies and childhood malnutrition. Congress enacted the 1946 National School Lunch Act as a “measure of national security, to safeguard the health and well-being of the Nation’s children.”
Our school lunch program complies with the United States Department of Agriculture’s food based menu-planning system and nutrient standards, providing meals that meet 1/3 of the RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for calories, as well as required levels of other key nutrients, including fat, saturated fat, protein, vitamin A & C, iron, and calcium. Hot lunches are served daily in all the schools. Students may choose from a variety of lunch options including alternate meals at all grade levels. The high school has more choices including a salad bar and a pizza line. The middle and the high schools also have snack availability where a wide variety of approved snack items are available.

Free and Reduced Lunches
Free and reduced lunches are available for eligible students; both generally require the household to fill out a school meals application. If you think your household may qualify, please contact the Food Service Office at 781-326-7872 for more information and application forms.

Menus
Our menus are developed monthly to reflect the students’ tastes and preferences. The monthly menu is posted on the Dedham Public School website, in the local newspaper and a paper copy may be obtained at your child’s school, in the office area.

Department Operating Status
Dedham School Foodservice Department is a self-supporting department within the School Department. All food and equipment purchases, most maintenance, all salaries including the Director and Secretary are paid from the Foodservice revolving account. Revenues obtained are used solely for the support and improvement of the School Food Service Program.

Elementary General Information
Middle General Information
High School General Information