Offer vs. Serve

Offer versus Serve (OVS)

Offer versus Serve is a concept which applies to menu planning in the school breakfast and lunch programs. It is designed to decrease food waste and provide students with more flexibility in choosing what they want to eat.

OVS applies to the daily meal pattern requirements. Each school must OFFER five food components in at least the minimum daily amounts. Students must SELECT at least three of the five food components under the Federal program regulations. One of the three required components must be at least ½ cup of fruit or vegetable, and the full serving of two other food components. 

              1. Meat/Meat Alternate
              2. Grains/Breads 
              3. Fruits 
              4. Vegetables 
              5. Milk

Except for fluid milk, the food components may be offered in more than one food item.

An example would be Hamburger on a Bun. The item consists of a Meat/Meat Alternate and a Grain/Bread. Another example is Turkey Pepperoni Pizza. The item consists of Meat/Meat Alternate (Pepperoni and Cheese) and a Grain/Bread (Pizza Crust). 

 

Overview of OVS Requirements at Breakfast: 
OVS applies to the daily meal pattern requirements. Each school must OFFER four food items in at least the minimum daily amounts. Students must SELECT three food items under the Federal program regulations. One of the three required items must be a ½ cup of fruit (or vegetable, if offered), and the full serving of two other food items. The definition of food items and food components for breakfast is different from lunch. 

The four food items may include two offerings of grains (either two of the same grain or two different grains) or two offerings of fruits/vegetables (either two of the same fruit/vegetable or two different fruits/vegetables), but cannot include two offerings of milk. Milk must be offered as one of the four food items. 

At Plumas Unified School District Public Schools, all enrolled students may have one breakfast and one lunch at no charge under the Community Eligible Provision.  

Benefits of OVS: 
    • Adults can teach children…by example…to make healthful choices. 
    • Reduces waste. Children will select the foods they want to eat. 
    • Students may take any combination of foods. 
    • Some foods count as more than one item. 
    • We encourage children to select all the foods offered so they have plenty to eat. 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at the Filing a Program Discrimination Complaint as a USDA Customer page, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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;

(2) fax: 202-690-7442; or

(3) email: [email protected]

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.