Child Nutrition Home

• Go to SchoolCafe
• Apply for Benefits (as a guest)
• Select Language
• Fill out Confirm Applicant Information (parent/guardian)
• Check “I certify (promise)...then Next
• Add Student: Click on Add a Student and provide information and answer questions on the bottom
• Click Add This Student, Next
• Repeat above to add additional students.
• Do you receive any assistance from SNAP, TANF, or FDPIR? Yes or No, then Next
• Add House Member(s). Please add all members living under the same household.
• Update Applicant: Does this member receive income? Yes or No
• If yes, fill out Income and Frequency
• Add This Member
• Add Household Member and go through the same steps as the member above.
• Total Household Members (include all adults, students, and children), then Next
• Review
• Submit
• It may take up to 10 days to receive a determination letter.
• If you have questions please call 510.537.3000 ext 7015 or email at
  childnutrition@cv.k12.ca.us

With the Universal Meals Program, all CVUSD students now receive free meals daily. However, completing and submitting a household meal application remains vital for the school. This information is used to calculate the unduplicated pupil count, which determines a significant portion of funding through the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF). This funding directly impacts resources like staffing, programs, and educational materials that benefit all students. Additionally, families may qualify for additional benefits.

In order to qualify for those benefits, families will need to complete a Meal Application. Direct certifications will also be utilized with Alameda County and the State of California through CALPADS. Please note that households that are directly certified or categorically certified with eligible children will NOT need to complete a Meal Application.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INCLUDE:

Students who enroll during the school year are to be given an application with the enrollment packet from the school.  To avoid overt identification, parents should not be asked if they want an application.  The application is to be given to every new enrollee.

Income eligibility guidelines 26/27

Our online menus indicate if a meal contains one of the nine most common allergens found in foods: Crustacean Shellfish, Egg, Fish, Wheat, Milk, Peanuts, Sesame, Soy, and Tree Nuts. We do not serve any food containing nuts in elementary schools. However, we do serve products that may be produced in facilities that handle and process nuts, so we cannot guarantee that meals are completely free of traces of nuts or nut residue.

Soy, Cheese, Eggs, and Wheat are common ingredients in many of our meals. Though we cannot guarantee general alternatives for these ingredients, we are happy to work with parents and guardians to provide more substitutions for these ingredients.

For medical conditions requiring special diets, the USDA requires a Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations Form stating the foods to be omitted and the foods that can be substituted. The form must be completed and signed by a licensed medical professional.  Any changes in a student's needed accommodations require a new Medical Statement.

If your child has food allergies or special dietary needs, please submit a completed Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations. See link for language options. Once the form is completed, please submit it to childnutrition@cv.k12.ca.us

Enjoy the delicious perks of working here! All teachers, admin, and support staff have daily access to our affordable and nutritious school meals. Head over to the dining area today for a great bite and a friendly hello from our team.

HOW TO ARRIVE PREPARED:

• You will need to make a SchoolCafe account.
• Visit SchoolCafe
• Click on "Create a new account" to begin the registration process.
• Click on "I'm an Employee of this District."
• Enter your school name or Central Office (if you work at the District Office). Make sure to provide the necessary details.
• Create security details and accept the Terms & Conditions
• Click on "Create My Account."
• Verification code will be sent to your email.
• Once signed in SchoolCafe in Dashboard (this may take 24-48 hours after creating an account), connect to your cafeteria account using your employee ID, school, and last name to find "My Cafeteria Account."
• Once linked, you are ready to add funds to your account.
• Your PIN # in the cafeteria will be your employee ID #.

The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of both good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow and prevent illness. And your body also needs to move and exercise every day.

Key things you need to know about leading a healthy lifestyle are:

• Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
• Control portion sizes and never "supersize"
• Get active for at least 60 minutes, five times a week for ages 6-18
• Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs all together

Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Students, who are physically fit, sleep better and are better able to handle the physical and emotional challenges that they encounter during the day.

Your body needs nutritious foods to grow and stay healthy, so make sure you take care of your body by eating the right food and getting plenty of exercise. Whether you are grabbing breakfast before school or choosing a snack after sports practice, now is time to start learning to make healthy choices. Your body and brain need healthy fuel to perform, to learn, to grow, and to ward off illness and disease. You will look better, feel better and do better in school and at play.

Develop the healthy eating habits today that will last a lifetime. Eat a balanced diet from each of the 5 food groups everyday... Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk and Meat & Beans... and go light on the junk!
 

Did you know...this generation of young people is the first that is forecast to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents? 1 in 3 or 4 children born in the year 2000 will develop diabetes at some point in their lifetime. The prevalence of overweight kids among 6 to 11 year olds has doubled in the past 20 years and tripled for teens.

What are we doing about it? Our district participates in the National School Lunch Program, following strict national and state nutrition guidelines, and provides nutritious lunches that contain one-third of the recommended dietary allowance of nutrients. Our district adheres to the recommended USDA dietary guidelines from MyPlate. This new Food Guide focuses on nutrition and fitness, because the two go hand in hand. It is designed to help kids and parents to not only understand the guidelines but to also provide practical advice on how to provide healthy and balanced diet. Recommendations are tailored for kids based on age, gender, and exercise habits. And, our district has also developed a comprehensive school wellness policy and upholds the USDA's Federally Mandated Nutritional Value requirements, which defines the nutrition guidelines for school meals.

For parents, this program offers a convenient method of providing a nutritionally balanced lunch at the lowest possible price. For schools, the program enhances children's learning abilities by contributing to their physical and mental well being. Studies have shown that children whose nutritional needs are met have fewer attendance and discipline problems and are more attentive in class.

Be a role model. Take an active role in encouraging your kids eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Encourage your kids to get at least 60 minutes of moderate exercise each day (30 minutes for adults). Family meals are a great time for parents to connect and share the details of the day. Plus, kids who eat regularly with their families are less likely to snack on unhealthful foods. Try to eat meals together as a family at least 3 times per week.

We hope you find the information throughout our nutrition site helpful.

Graduating or Moving? What to Do with Remaining Meal Funds

As your time with CVUSD comes to a close, please let us know what you would like to do with your student's remaining meal account balance. You can choose to:

1. Donate the Balance: Help us cultivate a healthier, more sustainable community!  Donating your leftover funds directly supports our farm-to-school partnerships, organic food procurement, and scratch-cooked meal initiatives.
2. Request a Refund: To receive a refund, simply complete this FORM and submit it to the contact information listed at the top. Refunds are processed via check after verification by the Child Nutrition office.

Thank you for supporting CVUSD's Child Nutrition Program!

The Castro Valley Unified School District (CVUSD) Student Wellness Policy centers on a comprehensive approach to student health, ensuring that the school environment supports both academic success and lifelong healthy habits. 

LINK - TBD

One of our goals is to share the message of nutrition and wellness via our department's Web site that emphasizes the importance of nutrition AND fitness. Our site provides information on the nutrition and fitness for teachers, parents, and students, as well as, a variety of learning tools.

Balance is essential for any Wellness Policy. Key areas include:

• Nutrition Education
• Physical activity
• Other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness.

Name: Amy Glodde MPH, RD

Title: Child Nutrition Director

Work Phone : 510-537-3000 ext 7014

Cell Phone: 510-890-1044

Email: aglodde@cv.k12.ca.us

Name: Donnie Barclift

Title: Supervisor

Phone: 510-537-3000 ext 1237

Email: dbarclift@cv.k12.ca.us
 

Name: Sebira Sabanovic

Title: CN Coordinator

Phone: 510-537-3000 ext. 7013

Email: ssabanovic@cv.k12.ca.us

Name: Bonnie Byrne

Title: CN Coordinator

Phone: 510-537-3000 ext 7017

Email: bbyrne@cv.k12.ca.us

Name: Stephanie Myers

Title: CN Dept. Specialist

Phone: 510-537-3000 ext. 7015

Email: stephanie.myers@cv.k12.ca.us

Castro Valley Unified School District
19722 Center Street
Castro Valley, CA 94546

Looking for a Part-Time or On-Call job that allows you to be at home when your family needs you there? Join our team in a School Cafeteria. Please call (510) 537-3000 for more information!

To apply for one of our open positions, please visit EdJoin and our Job Opportunities page.