Spring Break Update (March 29-April 2)
IUSD’s Nutrition Services we will be closed Monday, March 29 through Friday, April 2 for Spring Break. However, families can pick-up six days of free breakfasts and lunches for their student(s) on Friday, March 26 from 7-8:45 a.m. at the Creekside Education Center (3387 Barranca Parkway, Irvine). Meals will be distributed cold or frozen with heating instructions.
Once you arrive at the Creekside Education Center, follow the signs to the curbside pick-up location. For additional information, please visit our website at iusd.org/nutrition or email nutrition@iusd.org. We will return to our regular Monday/Wednesday schedule on Monday, April 5.
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IUSD's Nutrition Services continues to provide meals for students enrolled in both IVA and on campuses for in-person instruction. Please note, meals are available for purchase or as part of the free and reduced meal program for students who qualify. Click here for menus, payment options and more.
In-Person Instruction (applies to all in-person academic models and grade levels)
Students enrolled in in-person instruction academic models have the following options for meals.
- When on campus – Individually wrapped meals and food items are available and served in accordance with state and local guidelines to limit contact and support physical distancing. Floors are marked to help guide students where to stand and hand sanitizer stations are available. Each school has provided further direction about lunch and recess/breaks to students and families. (See Nutrition Services safety planning below.)
- When off campus – Daily grab and go meals are available for morning and early afternoon pick-up.
- Morning – 7-8 a.m. for families to pick up at the following sites: Jeffrey Trail Middle School, Southlake Middle School, Irvine High School and Woodbridge High School.
- Afternoon – 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Northwood High School, Portola High School and University High School.
IUSD Virtual Academy Students (applies to students enrolled in this 100 percent online academic model)
Daily grab and go meals are available for morning and early afternoon pick-up:
- Morning – 7-8 a.m. for families to pick up at the following sites: Jeffrey Trail Middle School, Southlake Middle School, Irvine High School and Woodbridge High School.
- Afternoon – 12:30-1:30 p.m. at Northwood High School, Portola High School and University High School.
Health and Safety Measures
Nutrition Services health and safety measures include but are not limited to:
- Students use hand sanitizer when entering and exiting the cafeteria and are required to wear a face covering.
- All serving lines are single-sided, and if there are two serving lines in the cafeteria, the student lines are on opposite sides to promote distancing.
- Students line up with 6 feet of distance between each student; markings on the floor help designate space.
- Elementary students line up with their class so that Nutrition Services staff are be able to select students in the point of sale system using photos and/or names in each classroom. This practice eliminates students entering their number on a pin pad.
- Nutrition Services staff are required to wear face coverings, plastic gloves and disposable aprons.
- A limited selection of entrees and a la carte items are available. Salad bars are no longer available this school year. Everything served is wrapped or packaged. Utensils and condiments are handed directly to students.
- Nutrition Services staff regularly disinfect high-touch areas between each serving period.
- Procedures may be modified to meet the unique needs of each site, such as smaller kitchen sizes.
IUSD’s Community Feeding Program
Families, who need food assistance, are able to pick-up free breakfasts and lunches for the week at IUSD’s Nutrition Services facility, located at 3387 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606. There are two pick-up days per week from 7-8:30 a.m.
- Mondays – Breakfast and lunch will be provided for three days.
- Wednesdays – Breakfast and lunch will be provided for three days.
Community Resources
Families Forward
If families need food assistance, Families Forward offers a drive-thru food pantry (M-F) 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., located at 8 Thomas Drive in Irvine. The drive-thru stations provide non-perishable items to families each week. No appointment is necessary. Visit Families Forward for more information.
Families Forward also offers counseling services, housing programs, career services and more. If any family is facing a housing crisis as a result of COVID-19, please click here.
Additional Long-Term Food Assistance and Community Resources
Second Harvest Food Bank – Can help connect families to food resources in general and during the COVID-19 crisis. 211 OC – Is a resource center to link families to a variety of Orange County services, including food, the CalFresh program, housing, military and veteran services, and more.
How You Can Help
If you are able, please consider donating non-perishable items to Families Forward. These items can be delivered to their drive-thru pantry (M-F) 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Below is a list of most needed items.
- Cereal
- Pasta sauce and Dried Pasta
- Rice (1lb and 2lb bags)
- Peanut butter
- Canned chicken and tuna
- Diapers (sizes 5 and 6)
- Baby wipes
For mental health and wellness resources, enrichment activities and more, visit iusd.org/COVID19