At Capital City, we believe strong bodies lead to strong minds and recognize the connection between a healthy lifestyle and success in school. That’s why nutrition and wellness are emphasized across all grades. From our nutritious, comprehensive meals program to fun, age-appropriate activities such as working in our on-site school garden or taking an after-school cooking class, all students develop healthy eating habits and learn about the importance of living an active lifestyle.
All food and beverages served at school meet the nutrition recommendations of:
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Capital City traditionally participates in the The National School Lunch Program (NSLP). The NSLP is a federally assisted meal program operating in public, charter, non-profit and private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free breakfast and lunch to children who qualify each school day. Read this packet sent home to families. Read these FAQs to learn more.
Capital City Public Charter School requires each household to have a school lunch application on file for the current school year. Please complete your application at www.payschoolscentral.com.
Families that do not want to apply for Free and Reduced Meals must complete the Refusal of Benefits Form. The form may be returned by email to foodservice@ccpcs.org, by regular mail to Food Service, Capital City Public Charter School, 100 Peabody Street NW, Washington, DC 20011, or hand-delivered to our front door.
Online, you will receive instant notification of your student’s eligibility for free or reduced lunches. Under the NSLP, if your household qualifies for free or reduced meals, your student(s) will be eligible to receive school lunches free of cost. Families that do not qualify for free or reduced meals must pay for any lunches taken by their student(s) under the NSLP. If you believe there is an error with the status of your application, please contact Capital City’s Director of Operations, Ms. Aisha Hassan, at ahassan@ccpcs.org or 202-808-9717.
Dietary Accommodations Policy
Students with special dietary needs must submit a Medical Statement to Request Dietary Accommodations (download form here) each year to receive accommodations. The request must be signed by both a licensed medical provider and the student’s parent or legal guardian. This form should only be used by students requiring dietary accommodations, not for dietary preferences. Capital City reserves the right to make food substitutions for students who do not have a provider diagnosed need. Completed forms must be received before accommodations can be met. Incomplete or unsigned forms will not be processed. to their school’s Nutrition Program Manager each school year. The request must be signed by both a licensed medical provider and a parent/legal guardian. This form should only be used by students requiring dietary accommodations for medical reasons. For students who do not have a dietary disability, Capital City may, but is not required to, make food substitutions. Completed forms must be received before accommodations can be met. Any incomplete or unsigned forms will not be processed.
Distinguishing Severity of Food Allergy: The Medical Statement to Request Dietary Accommodations must state that your student has been diagnosed by a doctor with either food anaphylaxis (severe food allergy) or a food intolerance.
Food Preferences Policy: Capital City reserves the right to make food substitutions for students who do not have a provider diagnosed need, such accommodations are not guaranteed. Please contact the Food Service team, at 202-808-9800 ext. 12130 or foodservice@ccpcs.org, for more information.
- Vegetarian options are offered daily for lunch in all grades (PK-12).
- Capital City provides both fat free and 1% milk at all meals.
- Soy milk is only available to students who have a signed Medical Statement to Request Dietary Accommodations on file.
- It is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian to provide medical and/or nutritional needs of the student and update that information as needed.
- Parents or legal guardians are encouraged to keep a copy of the form they submit in case a follow up is necessary.
- Due to the ordering process, it can take 3-4 weeks from the time forms are received for accommodations to be made. Please plan accordingly during this time.
- All school meals are tree nut and peanut free.
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible State or local Agency that administers the program or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508- 0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant's name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
(1) mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
(2) fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
(3) email:
program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Also, the District of Columbia Human Rights Act, approved December 13, 1977 (DC law 2-38; DC official code §2-1402.11(2006), as amended) states the following:
It shall be an unlawful discriminatory practice to do any of the following acts, wholly or partially for a discriminatory reason based upon the actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, or political affiliation of any individual. To file a complaint alleging discrimination on one of these bases, please contact the District of Columbia's Office of Human Rights at (202) 727-4559 or ohr@dc.gov.