{"id":33,"date":"2014-09-12T13:28:32","date_gmt":"2014-09-12T13:28:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/?page_id=33"},"modified":"2025-05-12T10:11:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T14:11:03","slug":"special-diets-food-allergies","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/special-diets-food-allergies\/","title":{"rendered":"Special Diets &#038; Food Allergies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.17.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; inline_fonts=&#8221;Abel&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">Food &amp; Nutrition Services (FNS) strives to provide meals for students with special dietary needs. We will make menu modifications and substitutions when appropriate and economically feasible. To assist parents and medical professionals, FNS has available our menu nutrient information.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">Menu substitutions must be made for children with a classified physical or mental disability when supported by a signed physician\u2019s MEDICAL STATEMENT. Menu substitutions may also be made for children with special dietary conditions unrelated to a disability (i.e. some food allergies, diabetes) when supported by a MEDICAL STATEMENT signed by a recognized medical authority (physician, physician\u2019s assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">FNS will try to accommodate special dietary needs for students without a disability. However, USDA regulations state that the school is not required to serve special meals to all children with diet restrictions. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the FNS registered dietitian, and must be supported by the appropriate form and signed by a recognized medical authority.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">FNS considers religious and ethnic food preference requests and will try to assist parents in providing an alternative when possible or economically feasible. A physician\u2019s signature is not required for special meal requests, but parents must submit a SPECIAL MEALS REQUEST to their cafeteria manager or our registered dietitian before consideration is given.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">Below are the three categories for submitting a medical statement or special meals request, and the required signatures.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Physical or Mental Disabilities<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">A physician&#8217;s signature is required on the <a href=\"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FNS-Diet-Request-Form-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs<\/span><\/a> listing the special diet modifications needed and suggested substitutions. Please complete <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">PART A<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0in its entirety <strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">and<\/span> <\/strong>have your child&#8217;s physician <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">fully complete<\/span> <strong>PART B<\/strong>. This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy will be kept in the cafeteria manager&#8217;s and school nurse&#8217;s offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Non-Disabled\/Special Dietary Needs<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">A recognized medical authority must sign a <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FNS-Diet-Request-Form-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs<\/a><\/span> that lists the special diet modifications requested, and identifies appropriate substitutions. Please <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">complete <strong>PART A i<\/strong><\/span>n it&#8217;s entirety <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>and<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0have a medical professional <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>fully complete PART B.<\/strong><\/span> This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy kept in the cafeteria manager&#8217;s and school nurse&#8217;s offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Lactose Intolerance<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">A parent or guardian signature is required on the\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FNS-Diet-Request-Form-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs\u00a0<\/a><\/span>identifying the food intolerance.\u00a0 Please <u>complete <\/u><strong><u>PART A<\/u><\/strong> in its entirety, part B is not required for lactose intolerance, and return the form to the FNS cafeteria manager. This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy kept in the cafeteria manager\u2019s and school nurse\u2019s offices.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0000ff; font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Religious\/Ethnic Dietary Needs<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">A parent or guardian signature is required on the\u00a0<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><a style=\"color: #0000ff;\" href=\"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/FNS-Diet-Request-Form-2025.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs <\/a><\/span>identifying the food preferences and\/or requested restrictions.\u00a0<span>Please <u>complete <\/u><strong><u>PART A<\/u><\/strong> in its entirety and return the form to the FNS cafeteria manager. Part B is not required for food preferences and\/or requested restrictions. This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy kept in the cafeteria manager\u2019s and school nurse\u2019s offices.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">For your convenience, a list of <a href=\"http:\/\/schools.mealviewer.com\/results\/pasco\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">our menu<\/span> <\/a>items identifying allergens (i.e., nuts, milk, soy, etc.), carbohydrate contents and attributes (i.e., contains pork, vegetarian, etc.) is available to assist you in working with your child on food and beverages that are applicable for their dietary needs. Please review the list regularly because menu items and their ingredients can change throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 12pt;\">If you need further assistance with special dietary meals, please contact our Registered Dietitian,<a href=\"mailto:alfox@pasco.k12.fl.us\"> Amanda Fox<\/a> at (813) 794-2183.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Food &amp; Nutrition Services (FNS) strives to provide meals for students with special dietary needs. We will make menu modifications and substitutions when appropriate and economically feasible. To assist parents and medical professionals, FNS has available our menu nutrient information. Menu substitutions must be made for children with a classified physical or mental disability when [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">Food & Nutrition Services (FNS) strives to provide meals for students with special dietary needs. We will make menu modifications and substitutions when appropriate and economically feasible. To assist parents and medical professionals, FNS has available our menu nutrient information.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">Menu substitutions must be made for children with a classified physical or mental disability when supported by a signed physician\u2019s MEDICAL STATEMENT. Menu substitutions may also be made for children with special dietary conditions unrelated to a disability (i.e. some food allergies, diabetes) when supported by a MEDICAL STATEMENT signed by a recognized medical authority (physician, physician\u2019s assistant, nurse practitioner, or registered dietitian).<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">FNS will try to accommodate special dietary needs for students without a disability. However, USDA regulations state that the school is not required to serve special meals to all children with diet restrictions. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the FNS registered dietitian, and must be supported by the appropriate form and signed by a recognized medical authority.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">FNS considers religious and ethnic food preference requests and will try to assist parents in providing an alternative when possible or economically feasible. A physician\u2019s signature is not required for special meal requests, but parents must submit a SPECIAL MEALS REQUEST to their cafeteria manager or our registered dietitian before consideration is given.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">Below are the three categories for submitting a medical statement or special meals request, and the required signatures.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Physical or Mental Disabilities<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">A physician's signature is required on the <a href=\"http:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/FNS-DIET-REQUEST-FORM-2017-ENG-SPA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs<\/span><\/a> listing the special diet modifications needed and suggested substitutions. This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy kept in the cafeteria manager's and school nurse's offices.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 14pt;\">Non-Disabled\/Special Dietary Needs<\/span><\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">A recognized medical authority must sign a <span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><a style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\" href=\"http:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/FNS-DIET-REQUEST-FORM-2017-ENG-SPA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs<\/a><\/span> that lists the special diet modifications requested, and identifies appropriate substitutions. This form needs to be submitted annually and a copy kept in the cafeteria manager's and school nurse's offices.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-size: 14pt;\"><strong>Religious\/Ethnic Dietary Needs<\/strong><\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">A parent or guardian signature is required on the\u00a0<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\"><a style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\" href=\"http:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/FNS-DIET-REQUEST-FORM-2017-ENG-SPA.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">FNS Request for Special Nutritional Needs <\/a><\/span>identifying the food preferences and\/or requested restrictions.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\u00a0\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">For your convenience, a list of <a href=\"http:\/\/schools.mealviewer.com\/results\/pasco\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 255);\">our menu<\/span> <\/a>items identifying allergens (i.e., nuts, milk, soy, etc.), carbohydrate contents and attributes (i.e., contains pork, vegetarian, etc.) is available to assist you in working with your child on food and beverages that are applicable for their dietary needs. Please review the list regularly because menu items and their ingredients can change throughout the year.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-size: 12pt;\">If you need further assistance with special dietary meals, please contact our Registered Dietitian, <a href=\"Mailto:sspickna@pasco.k12.fl.us\">Stephanie Spicknall<\/a> at (813) 794-2739.<\/span>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-33","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9510,"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/33\/revisions\/9510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/connectplus.pasco.k12.fl.us\/do\/fns\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}