Food Service/Nutrition

The Cocke County Schools Food Service Department is dedicated to students’ health, as well as to the promotion of the role health plays in their ability to learn. We work with our team of professionals in school cafeterias to provide breakfast and lunch in eleven schools across the school district.

We operate the largest food service organization in Cocke County as we serve over 5,000 meals each school day. We offer well-balanced school meals that provide our students with milk, fruits, vegetables, protein and grains. These are the building blocks that fuel Cocke County’s students for learning.

Meals, foods and beverages served through our school cafeterias meet state and federal requirements based on USDA Dietary Guidelines. Our Food Service Department team is also aware of the impact food allergies can have on the health of students. We work with our school nurses in the development of plans to meet the needs of students affected by food allergies.

Mission Statement
Our mission is to serve students and staff of Cocke County Schools a quality, affordable meal, adhering to the Dietary Guidelines set by the USDA, to maintain a commitment to fiscal responsibility and to continuously strive for nutritional integrity in the program.

CEP Cocke County Schools operate under the Community Eligibility Provision. Under the CEP program one (1) breakfast and one (1) lunch meal will be provided daily. Students may still purchase a second meal and/or ala carte items; but the CEP program will not cover these costs. Students must have cash to cover the costs of these extra purchases

School Breakfast Program
All schools in the Cocke County School System offer a hot breakfast to all students at no cost. Some schools also offer Grab n’ Go Breakfasts as well at no cost to students.

School Lunch Program
All schools in the Cocke County School System offer a hot lunch to all students at no cost. Students are also provided with a bag lunch at no cost while off campus for a school-sponsored field trip.

After School Snacks Program
The Cocke County Schools Food Service Department works with school staff members in all schools to offer a snack at no cost for students participating in adult-sponsored activities after the end of the school day. Please contact your school’s cafeteria manager if you would like to enroll your student group in this program.

Health Department Report
Health Department inspections are made of cafeterias in Cocke County Schools twice per year. The most recent Health Department Report is posted in the school cafeteria for each school.

Food Service Department Employment Process
If you would like to work in a Cocke County School System cafeteria, please download and print the food service application. If you have any questions, please contact the Food Service Department at (423) 623-1956.

To apply, bring the completed application and a copy of your high school diploma to the Food Service Department located in the Cocke County Schools Central Office building at 305 Hedrick Drive, Newport, TN 37821.

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 based on 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 available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for 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 complaint of discrimination, a complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.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: [email protected].

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.