Offer Versus Serve is required for grades 9-12 students at lunch, and optional for grades K-8 at lunch and K-12 at breakfast.
Offer Versus Serve Fact Sheet: Lunch
Offer Versus Serve Fact Sheet: Breakfast
Offer Versus Serve Fact Sheet: Lunch
Offer Versus Serve Fact Sheet: Breakfast
Offer Versus Serve (OvS) is a meal service method designed to reduce food waste and food costs in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program without jeopardizing the nutritional integrity of the meals served.
At lunch, schools must offer all five components (fruit, vegetables, grains, meat/meat alternates, fluid milk) and students must select at least three components, one of which is 1/2 cup fruit and/or vegetable.
At breakfast, schools must offer at least four food items from three required components (fruit, grains, fluid milk) and students must select at least three food items, one of which is 1/2 cup fruit and/or vegetable.
Students should always be allowed to take all of the components in the full portion sizes if they choose. For more information about OvS check out the fact sheets linked above.
At lunch, schools must offer all five components (fruit, vegetables, grains, meat/meat alternates, fluid milk) and students must select at least three components, one of which is 1/2 cup fruit and/or vegetable.
At breakfast, schools must offer at least four food items from three required components (fruit, grains, fluid milk) and students must select at least three food items, one of which is 1/2 cup fruit and/or vegetable.
Students should always be allowed to take all of the components in the full portion sizes if they choose. For more information about OvS check out the fact sheets linked above.
- Notification Letters
Lunch
Breakfast
If you would like to edit one of these letters with your school's contact information, please follow the below steps:
- If you are using a Google account - hover over File and select make a copy. This will then prompt you to make a copy of the document that you can edit. You can also follow the directions below for a direct download.
- If you are not using a Google account - hover over File and select download then which format you would like it in (Word, PDF, etc.). This will automatically download the document directly to your computer.
- Requirements
- Notification - Schools must annually notify households if they are implementing Offer Versus Serve, specifically explaining how it works and describing the different ways students can build their meals. See the "Notification Letters" drop down for templates.
- Signage - Signage must be posted in a visible area near the meal service line, and prior to the point of service, that shows students how to select a reimbursable meal.
- Training - If implementing Offer Versus Serve, schools are required to train staff annually on the requirements.
- Resources