Nutritional Overview

Each school provides a daily nutritious and healthy breakfast and lunch. School lunches today follow federal nutrition guidelines and serve more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low fat dairy than ever before. On a very tight budget, school nutrition professionals are preparing and serving balanced, nutritious meals in an age appropriate portion size that provide needed nutrients and promote a healthy childhood weight.

Payment Options

Students may pay for meals in cash or by using an account in which any amount of money may be deposited. Money may be deposited at any time and designated for breakfast, lunch, or other food. Online services are now available as well for parents to deposit money into student accounts.

Qualifying for Free and Reduced-Price Meals

Any child enrolled in a participating school may purchase a meal through the National School Lunch Program. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 percent and 185 percent of the poverty level are eligible for reduced-price meals, for which students can be charged no more than 40 cents for lunch. Children from families with incomes over 185 percent of poverty pay full price, though their meals are still subsidized to some extent. Districts set their own prices for full-price (paid) meals but must operate their meal services as nonprofit programs.