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Nutrition/Special Diets & PA Preferred Vendors

Nutritional Guides & Product Information

All nutrition information for menu items can be found by clicking on the item in our school menus, powered by Nutrislice. Nutritional information for items not listed on our school menus can be found below:

Special Dietary Needs
For children who require dietary modifications to the school meal program, there are steps 
parents and guardians must take before any changes can be made. If your child has a dietary 
need, the Hempfield Food Service Department will need a detailed medical provider’s note or a 
Medical Plan of Care for School Food Service Form completed and signed by a physician, 
physician assistant, certified registered nurse practitioner, dentist, or registered dietitian. 
 
When submitting your medical provider’s note or Medical Plan of Care for School Food Service 
Form, the written medical statement must include:

• An explanation of how a child’s physical or mental impairment restricts the child’s diet;
• An explanation of what must be done to accommodate the child; and
• The food or foods to be omitted and alternatives recommended, if appropriate.

If nutritional services are needed for an IEP or 504 plan. The Food Service Director (FSD) must 
be included in early planning, with the FSD’s signature included on the IEP or 504 plan. If the 
plan includes the necessary information, including documentation with a physician’s signature 
& details listed above, a Medical Plan of Care for School Food Service Form is not needed. 
Once the proper documentation is received, the Food Service Office will note the student’s 
cafeteria account with Allergy &/or Modification and notify &/or train the building Kitchen 
Manager of procedures. 

Medical Plan of Care FAQ

1. When do I need to update my child’s dietary needs? You will need to update and 
complete a new Medical Plan of Care when dietary needs change with additions or 
modifications. 
2. What if my child is no longer allergic to tree nuts/peanuts? How do I get my child’s 
dietary restriction changed? In the case of a life-threatening allergy, the Food Service 
Department requires parents to submit updated medical documentation indicating any 
changes.
3. When do I need a Medical Plan of Care for School Food Service Form vs. a Doctor’s 
Note? You will need a Medical Plan of Care for students who cannot follow the 
scheduled daily menu without an item being replaced or additional preparation for student consumption, completed by Food Service Staff. Examples include but are not 
limited to gluten-free menu items, food allergies not easily avoided such as soy, wheat, 
egg, & milk used in other foods, food items chopped small, soft foods only, &/or pureed 
menu items. 
4. When is a doctor’s note &/or medical documentation accepted? When allergens are 
easily avoided, the parent or guardians are comfortable with using the menu software 
system to avoid allergens and do not need a replacement menu item or a modification 
to a menu item. 
5. What are easily avoided allergens? Peanuts, tree nuts, fluid milk for drinking only, 
individual fruit or vegetables, &/or shellfish. 
6. What should I do if I have a religious or cultural preference? Contact the Food Service 
Department, and we’ll note the child’s individual account. Food Service Staff will do 
their due diligence to honor the request. 
7. Where is the menu items’ allergen and carb count information? You can find the 
allergens and carb counts through our menu software program NutriSlice, 
hempfieldsd.nutrislice.com. After you select your building location and menu, click on 
the menu items; the allergens and nutritionals appear.

PA Preferred Vendors