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Welcome to the Department of Food and Nutrition Services in Harford County Public Schools

Good nutrition and learning go hand in hand.link to Web Menus Mobile App

The Department of Food and Nutrition Services department is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals dedicated to students' health, well being and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.

Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet or exceed state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of their growing bodies and brains.

Meal Tray picture orange chicken over rice salad milk apple oranges

Department of Food & Nutrition Services operates 56 kitchens within the school system. The program is staffed with people who take pride in meeting the nutritional needs of students and staff. Growing children need a strong nutritional foundation to succeed inside and outside the classroom and in their other endeavors. School food service professionals work hard to prepare and serve food that appeals to Harford County’s students.

During the 2022-23 school year nearly 1.7 million breakfasts and 3.8 million lunches were served - averaging over 8,000 breakfast and 20,000 lunches every day. Extensive audits conducted this past year by state and federal officials concluded HCPS meals exceeded current USDA nutritional standards.

 

Highlights of the program include

  • Honored with having Maryland "Employee of the Year" and  “Manager of the Year” award winners, including four Mideast regional winners and two National award winner.
  • Awarded the “One in a Melon” designation for Farm-To-School program in Maryland, recognizing ongoing work with local farms and orchards to provide a variety of very best local fresh fruits and vegetables on the menu
  • Privileged to receive USDA award for Summer Meals, for outreach to local community.
  • Provides FREE breakfast and lunch meals over the summer via onsite and mobile meals.
  • Food Services Dietitian regularly presents at school health fairs, works with school wellness and serves as a guest speaker in classrooms.
  • Support the creation of school gardens, teaching students about food production and the environment.
  • Host Culinary Boot Camps to provide summer training for school cafeteria professionals.
  • Working with manufacturers to create packaging that is completely recyclable or compostable with the goal of making kitchens 100% landfill free.

link to Tray Talk School Meals are Healthy Join the Conversation link to U S D A website link to Choose My Plate link to School Nutrition Association link to Fruits and Veggies More Matters


Overview

The Food and Nutrition Department manages all aspects of the school food service program. The department's mission is to support the quality education and learning environment of students in the HCPS system by providing programs that operate within the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Programs.

No local tax dollars from Harford County are provided to the Food and Nutrition Budget. The program is operated to break even with funds provided by student sales and state/federal reimbursement through the operation of programs such as National School Breakfast Program (NSBP), National School Lunch Program (NSLP), After School Snack, Dinner (also known as Child and Adult Care Food Program CACFP), Fresh Fruits and Vegetable Program (FFVP), Maryland Meals for Achievement (a breakfast program MMFA), Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) and Summer Food Service Program (SFSP).

Our Mission
The Department of Food and Nutrition supports the quality education and learning environment of students in the Harford County Public School system by providing programs that operate within the guidelines of the United States Department of Agriculture National School Lunch Program.

Our Vision
The Department of Food & Nutrition Services is respected as an advocate for student nutrition by setting a positive example in the meal programs and operating as a vital resource on issues pertaining to student nutrition. The program is viewed as valuable by students, parents, school staff and the community.

 
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