Message From Southwest Charlotte STEM’s Region Nutrition Director
Dear Parents,
My name is Bob Schaffer, and I am happy to announce that I will be the new Regional Nutrition Director at Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy. I bring 20 years of Food Service Management experience to Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy and have focused on K-12 Child Nutrition for the past eight years. I have been a Cafeteria Manager, Regional Manager, Food Service Director, and District Manager throughout the Southeast. I am a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and I bleed black and gold. I have three children,two of which are starting their careers, and my youngest is currently studying Psychology and Biology at UNC Charlotte.
My enthusiasm for school nutrition stems from the ability to improve a child’s life daily by feeding their bodies and minds. The cafeteria is a space where children can experiment with new foods, create habits with balanced meals, as well as develop social skills with peers, all while providing meals that taste good – and are compliant with the USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP).
Message from Southwest Charlotte STEM's Region Executive Chef
My name is Lester Allen, and I am a native of Augusta, Georgia. I am a Regional Executive Chef with over 20 years of culinary experience. The last five years focused on child nutrition, where my roles have been Chef Manager, District Chef, and Assistant Food Service Director. I am fluent in many cuisines, but my favorites are Cajun-Creole and Italian. I discovered my culinary gift as a teenager when I began to cook for my family after school due to my mother and father working long hours. I attended the Art Institute of Atlanta, where I got my first glimpse into the professional world of food. I graduated from the Culinary Tech Center, located in New York City. My expertise has been sought after by school districts, marine vessels, country clubs, private assisted-living homes, and healthcare institutions across the Southeast, Northeast, and the Gulf of Mexico.
We will follow the NSLP at Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy for the 2024 -25 school year. Research has demonstrated that school lunches are typically more nutritious than packed lunches, as meals from home are shown to contain higher calories, sodium, saturated fat, and sugar. School lunches emphasize components like whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, and vegetables while creating a nutritionally sound meal.
Lunch and Breakfast Menu
For the 24-25 school year, breakfast and lunch will be free. To receive this benefit, no applications will need to be filled out. Students will be allowed to purchase an additional lunch or other snacks if desired. If your child would like a second meal, extra milk, or a la carte items you must deposit funds in your child’s cafeteria account. Cash or Checks will not be accepted for the 24-25 school year.
To access the school payment portal:
visit https://www.scstemacademy.org
click on the Parents tab
click on the Cafe/Food tab
click on the Payments tab
Once on the payment portal website,
click Parents
create an account
deposit funds
You can also download the app to your smartphone by following the links on the payment portal website, or by using the link below: https://schoolpaymentportal.com/Default.aspx
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Bob Schaffer via email at bschaffer@scstemacademy.org
Important Information
Unique Mealtime Needs for School Meals
The Medical Statement for Students with Unique Mealtime Needs for School Meals helps schools provide meal modifications for students who require them.
Request for Fluid Milk Substitution
Parents/guardians may request, in writing, a non-dairy fluid milk substitution for their child with a medical or special dietary need without providing a statement from a medical authority
Special Meal Accommodations Policy
A child with a disability will be provided substitutions in foods when that need is supported by a signed statement from a licensed physician.
School Wellness Policy
The Board of School Trustees of Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy supports the health and well-being of the school’s students by promoting nutrition and physical activity at all grade levels.
School Wellness Policy
The Board of School Trustees of Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy supports the health and well-being of the school’s students by promoting nutrition and physical activity at all grade levels.
USDA Non-Discrimination 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/
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
