Nutrition and Wellness Initiatives

The Nutrition Services Department is dedicated to providing nutritional and wellness resources to Martensdale-St. Marys students, staff, and families.

If you have any questions regarding nutrition services or district wellness initiatives, please contact Cassandra Ackerson at cassandra_ackerson@mstm.us.

The Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is an equal opportunity provider.

Lunch Heroes Photo

Wellness Initiatives News

  • Free Summer Meals for Kids & Teens – June 9 through August 7, 2025
    May 16, 2025 · Wellness Initiatives

    Free Summer Meals for Kids & Teens – June 9 through August 7, 2025

    The Indianola Community School District is offering free summer meals to all children and teens 18 years and younger from June 9 to August 7, 2025. This program ensures that students can continue to have access to nutritious meals even when school is not in session.

    Meals will be served at three convenient locations, with a variety of options available:

    🍽 Meal Site Details:

    Indianola Middle School 📍 403 South 15th Street 🕚 Lunch Only | Monday–Thursday | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

    Meadow Village Apartments 📍 2003 W. 4th Ave. 🕒 Grab & Go Meals | Monday & Thursday Pick-up | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Note: Students do not need to be present to receive meals.

    Indianola High School 📍 1304 East 1st Ave. 🕖 Breakfast Only | Monday, Tuesday & Thursday | 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM Please use the Auditorium Entrance

    This program is open to all children and teens, and no registration or ID is required. It's a wonderful opportunity for families to stay nourished and supported over the summer months.

    ⚠️ All sites will be closed on July 4th in observance of Independence Day.

    If you have questions or would like more information, please contact the ICSD Food Service Department at (515) 961-9591, or scan the QR code on our flyer for additional details.

    Let’s make this summer healthy and hunger-free for every child in our community!

  • Fruit Parfaits
    May 6, 2025 · Wellness Initiatives

    Exercise Your Character - Fruit Parfaits

    This Friday, 5/9, we’re serving up Fruit Parfaits — a delicious and healthy treat just for YOU!

    While you’re powering up your Exercise Your Character activities in the classroom, fuel your body and mind with layers of fresh fruit, yogurt, and crunchy granola.

    Strong Body, Strong Character, Strong YOU!

    Let’s make Friday fun, tasty, and full of energy! Don’t miss out!

  • 2025 Exercise Your Character Save the Date
    May 1, 2025 · Wellness Initiatives

    Martensdale-St. Marys Invites 2nd–5th Graders to Join “Exercising Your Character” Virtual Event

    Martensdale-St. Marys Community School District is excited to announce that our 2nd–5th grade students have the opportunity to participate in the Exercising Your Character virtual event on Friday, May 9, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. This fun and motivational session is offered free of charge and provides an engaging mix of inspirational messages and physical activity — all from the comfort of our classrooms!

    About the Event: Exercising Your Character, hosted by Hy-Vee, is designed to inspire young students to stay active, make healthy choices, and practice strong character values like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Through movement and motivation, students will gain practical lessons they can apply both inside and outside the classroom.

    Why Participate? At Martensdale-St. Marys, we are committed to developing not just strong learners, but also strong individuals. This event aligns perfectly with our mission by emphasizing the importance of character development alongside academic growth. Plus, it’s a fun way for students to move, connect, and be recognized!

    Let’s come together and show how Martensdale-St. Marys students lead with character!

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Statements

    Civil Rights Statement

    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.

    Iowa Non-Discrimination Statement:

    “It is the policy of this CNP provider not to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or religion in its programs, activities, or employment practices as required by the Iowa Code section 216.6, 216.7, and 216.9. If you have questions or grievances related to compliance with this policy by this CNP Provider, please contact the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, Grimes State Office building, 400 E. 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50319-1004; phone number **515-281-4121**, **800-457-4416**; website: https://icrc.iowa.gov/.”
    MSTM Wellness Policy Evaluation

    Click the link below to view the Local Wellness Progress Report for the MSTM.

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fu4LQOI1UBfMgEbY6x24eYv_YRO6vqfY/view