Food Services
Nourishing Minds, Fueling Futures
The “Healthy School Meals for All” program is set to bring significant benefits to our students and the wider community, focusing on nutritious meals to enhance both health and academic performance. We appreciate your adherence to the outlined guidelines and encourage any queries or concerns to be directed to the District Food Service office.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Complimentary Meals: Every student is entitled to one free breakfast and lunch each day, adhering to USDA standards. These meals include a fruit, vegetable, main dish, and milk, served in age-appropriate portions.
- Non-Included Items: Please note that snacks and additional items beyond the standard breakfast and lunch are not covered. This includes extra entrees, milk, a la carte items, and salad bar access for those bringing home lunches. Additional milk will be charged at $0.75 to the student’s account.
- Purchasing Extras: Students with insufficient funds in their meal accounts will not be able to buy extra items. High school students can purchase a la carte items with cash.
- Free and Reduced Applications: Despite the universal nature of this program, it’s vital to complete the free and reduced meal application. Approval is necessary for Academic Fees waivers.
- Free and Reduced Application can be completed on the Parent Portal please click here to access Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- If you need assistance with completing the application please email foodservice@weldre5j.org or call Linda at 970-587-6055.
- If you need assistance with access to Infinite Campus please contact your school secretary.
- Free and Reduced Application can be completed on the Parent Portal please click here to access Infinite Campus Parent Portal.
- Student IDs: All students must present their IDs at the cashier for meal tracking. This process is crucial for the program’s funding, so remembering IDs daily is important.
- Online Students Exclusion: The program does not cover students attending classes online.
Lunch Fees
To pay lunch fees, parents or guardians can choose from two convenient options. The first option is to make an online payment through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal, which allows for quick and secure transactions. Alternatively, you can mail a check to the district office, addressed to Weld RE-5J, Attn: Linda Medina, at 110 Centennial Dr A, Milliken, CO 80543.
See What’s On The Menu
Nutrislice is a new app to show menu and nutritional information available at your Sodexo cafeteria. It shows parents and students everything being served in our cafeterias. The ingredients, and especially the nutritional and allergen information. A new level of transparency with clear product descriptions and graphical representations for every nutritional category. There’s no more guessing what’s being served.
Together, Feeding the Future of Our Community
The Hunger Heroes program is a partnership between our school district, the YMCA, and our amazing student volunteers. This program is an initiative supporting our food insecure youth in the Weld RE-5J School District. Each week, volunteers work with the YMCA to provide over 100 students with needed nutrition over the weekend. Hunger Heroes organize and assemble bags of food that are delivered to each school. If you would like to sign up to support the program or request weekend food support, please click here.
Bringing Local to Our Schools
Weld RE-5J Awarded Grant to Expand Farm-to-School Program
We are excited to share that we have received a Local Food Program (LFP) grant, strengthening the district’s ongoing efforts to bring more
locally grown and produced foods to school cafeterias. The grant will allow us to expand the variety of Colorado-made products served to students, including fresh produce, locally raised beef, and regionally produced tortillas.
According to Terri Macha, Nutrition Director with Sodexo On-Site Solutions, the funding will help elevate both the quality and the community impact of school meals. “These funds allow us to bring even more high-quality, Colorado-grown foods directly to our students,” Macha said. “It ensures our kids receive nutritious meals while also strengthening our ties to the community.”
locally grown and produced foods to school cafeterias. The grant will allow us to expand the variety of Colorado-made products served to students, including fresh produce, locally raised beef, and regionally produced tortillas.
According to Terri Macha, Nutrition Director with Sodexo On-Site Solutions, the funding will help elevate both the quality and the community impact of school meals. “These funds allow us to bring even more high-quality, Colorado-grown foods directly to our students,” Macha said. “It ensures our kids receive nutritious meals while also strengthening our ties to the community.”
Supporting Local Agriculture
The benefits of the Local Food Program extend beyond student nutrition. By purchasing from Colorado producers, we are investing in the state’s agricultural economy.
“Choosing local products allows us to directly support farms and ranches, while also benefiting the many businesses involved in the production and distribution process,” Macha explained.
The Local Food Program provides funding to eligible Child Nutrition Sponsors to purchase Colorado-grown, raised, or processed foods. The program aims to increase local purchasing, build stronger food systems, promote nutrition education, and support farmers, ranchers, and food manufacturers across the state.
“Choosing local products allows us to directly support farms and ranches, while also benefiting the many businesses involved in the production and distribution process,” Macha explained.
The Local Food Program provides funding to eligible Child Nutrition Sponsors to purchase Colorado-grown, raised, or processed foods. The program aims to increase local purchasing, build stronger food systems, promote nutrition education, and support farmers, ranchers, and food manufacturers across the state.
Local Beef Already on the Menu
We currently partner with TurnKey Cattle Co., serving local beef in multiple menu items. Elementary students have enjoyed the locally sourced beef in tacos and enchiladas, while secondary schools have used it in their nacho line and as an alternative to traditional burger patties. Weld RE-5J began serving TurnKey beef in November and plans to increase purchasing in December.
Growing Farm-to-School Connections
We will continue to expand our farm-to-school initiatives in the coming months. We hope to form long-term partnerships with additional local producers and incorporate more hands-on learning opportunities into the curriculum.
“We want elementary students to have opportunities to meet local farmers and ranchers—whether in the classroom or out on the farm,” Macha said. “Creating these real-world experiences helps students better understand where their food comes from.”
For more information about Weld RE-5J’s nutrition initiatives, visit kidsfoodfinder.org.
Have a Question?
Terri Macha
Dietary / Allergy Concerns
Phone: (970) 587-6067
Email: therese.macha@weldre5j.org
