Frequently Ask Questions
Q1. Do I need to fill out an application for each child?
Answer: No. CEP does not require parents to fill out an application.
Q2. Who can get free meals?
Answer: All children in the Mitchell County School System will receive meals at "no cost" due to the CEP requirements.
Q3. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?
Answer: Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven't been told your children will get free meals, please contact Karen Menefee at 229-321-7002 to see if they qualify.
Q2. Who can get free meals?
Answer: All children in the Mitchell County School System will receive meals at "no cost" due to the CEP requirements.
Q3. Can homeless, runaway and migrant children get free meals?
Answer: Yes, children who meet the definition of homeless, runaway, or migrant qualify for free meals. If you haven't been told your children will get free meals, please contact Karen Menefee at 229-321-7002 to see if they qualify.
Q4: What is the overall vision for the Georgia School Nutrition program?
The vision is to be the leading authority and resource for school nutrition programs in Georgia, ensuring that every child in school has access to healthy meal choices daily.
The vision is to be the leading authority and resource for school nutrition programs in Georgia, ensuring that every child in school has access to healthy meal choices daily.
Q5: What is the mission of the School Nutrition program?
The mission is to be a valuable partner in education. This is achieved by providing coordinated support for outstanding student achievement through a commitment to excellent service in key areas: providing quality meals, engaging with students and the community, and supporting professional development.
The mission is to be a valuable partner in education. This is achieved by providing coordinated support for outstanding student achievement through a commitment to excellent service in key areas: providing quality meals, engaging with students and the community, and supporting professional development.
Q6: How does the program aim to strengthen relationships within its staff?
Strengthening relationships involves building trust and rapport with staff, facilitating effective communication, and getting to know School Nutrition Program Managers through meetings where they can voice concerns and receive support.
Strengthening relationships involves building trust and rapport with staff, facilitating effective communication, and getting to know School Nutrition Program Managers through meetings where they can voice concerns and receive support.
Q7: What types of support are provided to School Nutrition Program Managers and staff?
Support includes assistance with special promotions and new operations, collaborative troubleshooting, handling difficult conversations with administration and staff, in-person opportunities to thank the team, and implementing quality assurance measures.
Support includes assistance with special promotions and new operations, collaborative troubleshooting, handling difficult conversations with administration and staff, in-person opportunities to thank the team, and implementing quality assurance measures.
Q8: What is the "4 R's" approach and how is it used?
The "4 R's" are used to support clear expectations with staff. They stand for Redirect, Remind, Retrain, and Repeat. This approach involves consistently guiding staff to meet expectations.
The "4 R's" are used to support clear expectations with staff. They stand for Redirect, Remind, Retrain, and Repeat. This approach involves consistently guiding staff to meet expectations.
Q9: How does the program ensure the quality of meal service?
Quality is ensured through monitoring meal service, checking food quality, assessing presentation (including plating, cleanliness of the line, etc.), and focusing on customer service.
Quality is ensured through monitoring meal service, checking food quality, assessing presentation (including plating, cleanliness of the line, etc.), and focusing on customer service.
Q10: How is student feedback incorporated into the program?
Student feedback is gathered through taste testing and surveys to understand their preferences regarding menu options. Examples of menu items considered include Low Country Boil, Shepherd's Pie, and Lasagna, as well as engaging with the Student Council President & Member about future menu options.
Q11: What are some examples of strategic initiatives and goals of the program?
Strategic goals focus on organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Examples include introducing new menu items like Low Country Boil, Lasagna, and Shepherd's Pie, securing an Equipment Grant for a Middle School, participating in Seamless Summer feeding, obtaining a Local Farm School Grant, and meeting with student representatives to discuss menu options.
Strategic goals focus on organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Examples include introducing new menu items like Low Country Boil, Lasagna, and Shepherd's Pie, securing an Equipment Grant for a Middle School, participating in Seamless Summer feeding, obtaining a Local Farm School Grant, and meeting with student representatives to discuss menu options.