Nutrition Services

What is a special diet? 

A special diet is a meal that is prepared to meet your scholar’s dietary restrictions by the FWPS Nutrition Services department.

What kind of dietary restrictions can Nutrition Services accommodate? 

FWPS Nutrition Services can make meal accommodations for: 

• Medically diagnosed food allergies
• Medically approved food intolerances (lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance)
• Dysphagia diagnosis
• Food aversions related to autism

My child is vegetarian, do they need a special diet at school? 

No, daily vegetarian meal options are available daily at breakfast and lunch at all FWPS schools. 

My child eats halal food, do they need a special diet at school? 

No, at least one halal meal option is available daily at breakfast and lunch at all FWPS schools. 

My child is lactose intolerant to fluid cow’s milk but can eat cheese and other dairy products. Do they need a special diet? 

If your child needs a fluid milk alternative only, soy milk is offered in all breakfast and lunch service lines. Scholars can ask kitchen staff for soymilk upon request. 

Are special diet accommodation free of charge? Yes, all special diets will be free of charge under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) for the 2023-2024 school year for breakfast and lunch. 

How do I set up a special diet for my scholar? 

1. Collect and have ready the following information:
   • a. Scholar’s physician name, phone, and fax number.
   • b. Signed HIPAA (if not already on file with FWPS).
   • c. List of all dietary restrictions.
   • d. For dysphagia only – Completed swallow study from a physician.
2. Contact a dietitian at FWPS Nutrition Services:
   Allison Grader, Registered Dietitian – 253-945-5557 Email: agrader@fwps.org
   Lauren Hoffman, Registered Dietitian – 253-945-5567 Email: lhoffman@fwps.org

Community Eligibility Program (CEP)

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) allows meals to be served to all scholars at no cost, regardless of free or reduced status. Schools under CEP status will ask that all families complete a family income survey to ensure school funding. This year, all Federal Way schools are designated to participate in CEP.

Click here to find out more information about this program that provides free meals for scholars enrolled in eligible schools. 

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)

Nutrition Services is once again proud to be participating in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.  FFVP is currently offered at:

• Lake Dolloff Elementary
• Lake Grove Elementary
• Mark Twain Elementary
• Mirror Lake Elementary
• Olympic View Elementary
• Panther Lake Elementary
• Rainier View Elementary
• Silver Lake Elementary
• Sunnycrest Elementary
• Twin Lakes Elementary
• Wildwood  Elementary

You can learn more about the program here.

Pandemic-EBT (P-EBT)

Stay on top of your child’s P-EBT benefits by signing up for text message alerts at https://www.textpebt.dshs.wa.gov/. For full details and any questions about P-EBT benefits, families can visit dshs.wa.gov/PEBT or call the P-EBT Contact Center at 833-518-0282 between 8 am and 5 pm PT, Monday-Friday (except observed holidays). 

Federal Way Public Schools will offer breakfast after the bell in all schools under The Washington Kids Ready to Learn Act of 2018. The Breakfast After the Bell programs produce higher participation rates than traditional breakfast service. Increased breakfast participation is linked to improved academic scores, reduced disruptive behavior, and reduced rates of absence and tardiness. Breakfast After the Bell gives all students the opportunity to eat a nutritious meal at the beginning of the day.