Iowa Department of Education

School Breakfast Program Traditional and Enhanced Food Based Plans

• Offer V. Serve for the Breakfast Program Food Based Plans is optional for all grade levels K-12.

• Students must be offered all 4 food components using the full serving size that will meet USDA requirements.

• The minimum allowable serving size that can be counted toward meeting the full Grain/Bread component is 1/4 of a serving.

• If choices of food items or components are offered, the serving size(s) of each choice must be the equivalent of one full component. For example, if juice and fruit are offered as choices, each choice must equal 1/2 cup.

• Students may decline one food component. The selection is determined by the student and may be any one of the food components.

• One person must be designated to check that 3 full components are included on each tray before it is counted as a reimbursable meal.

• The price of the meal cannot be lowered when Offer V. Serve is in effect.

Offer versus Serve (OVS) School Lunch Program Traditional and Enhanced Food Based Plans

• Offer V. Serve for the School Lunch Program Food Based plans is mandatory for grades 9-12 and optional for grades K-8.

• Students must be offered all five food components using the full serving size necessary to meet USDA requirements for the age or grade group.

• Students have the option of which food item(s) to decline.

• Senior high school students in grades 9-12 are allowed to decline 2 of the 5 food components.

• Students in grades K-8 may be allowed to decline 1 or 2 of the 5 food items. Local school authorities decide if the students can decline 1 or 2 of the food items.

• Students may be served a smaller portion of a declined item.

• If choices of food items are offered, the serving size of each choice must equal one full serving. For example, if a peanut butter sandwich is offered as a Meat/Meat Alternate choice, the quantity of peanut butter should be equivalent to the full amount of M/MA required for the age or grade group.

• The minimum allowable serving size that can be counted toward meeting the Grain/Bread component is 1/4 of a serving. However, at least 1 full Grain-Bread component must be offered every day.

• One person must be designated to check that each tray includes 3 full food components before the meal is counted as a reimbursable lunch.

• The price of the meal cannot be lowered when Offer V. Serve is in effect.