Can Parents Prepay for Their Child's Lunch?
Absolutely! We encourage parents to take advantage of our Meal Deal!
Food & Nutrition Services offers a Meal Deal for those parents who wish to prepay for 20 or more lunches at one time. Parents can prepay for only 2 months or 40 lunches (two Meal Deals). Prepayments must be received by 9:00am (school office) in order for your child's account balance to be credited for the meal deal! Elementary Lunch - Meal Deal: 20 lunches $50.00 (a $10 savings) Secondary Lunch - Meal Deal: 20 lunches $60.00 (a $10 savings).

Please note: In order for parents to receive a meal deal, their child's account must not have a negative balance. Therefore, all negative balances must be paid in full before the meal deal can be applied to the child's account. Parents are encouraged to check their child's account balance by contacting the school Cafeteria Lead or by calling the Food & Nutrition Services Central Office.

What are the meal prices for 2010/2011?

Individual meal prices for the 2010/11 school year are as follows:

The meal deal for the 2010/11 school year is:

Meal Deal payments must be received by 9am to be credited for that day's use. Negative balances must be paid prior to receiving the Meal Deal. Parents are strongly encouraged to check their child's balance prior to paying for the Meal Deal.

Is it mandatory for my child to purchase a meal in the cafeteria?
No. Food & Nutrition Services is required to offer at least one meal per school day at each of our schools. It is optional for your child to participate; your child can participate as often as you choose! We take great pride in our program and the contribution we make to feeding the future!

Does Food & Nutrition Services conduct a nutritional analysis of all menu items?
As a matter of fact, we do!
Food & Nutrition Services has a Registered Dietitian on staff who uses specialized software to analyze all food items and menus. Our menus and ala carte food items are in full compliance of Federal and State regulations!

Are fresh fruits and vegetables available for my child to enjoy?
Absolutely!
Not only does Food & Nutrition Services offer a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables on our Farmers' Market Salad Bars and our prepackaged Farmers' Market salads, but we offer at least two vegetable and two fruit choices on our lunch lines on a daily basis.

What is Cool Lunch?
Cool Lunch is our Farmers' Market Salad Bar Program.
The idea came from a SMMUSD student who told his parents that he enjoyed eating the "Cool Lunch" at school! When asked what the "Cool Lunch" was, he proudly told them "the Farmers' Market Salad Bar!"

Does the FNS department prepare brand name products?
Yes! We prepare, offer and serve a variety of brand name food items that are familiar to our customers, including, but not limited to: Tyson Chicken, Jennie O Turkey, Foster Farms, Land O Lakes, Malt O Meal Cereals, Smuckers Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Nestle, Pillsbury, Upstate Farms Yogurt, Ling's (the same company that makes Chinese food for Trader Joes!), Schwan's (Tony's  & Red Baron Pizza).

My child loves the Orange Chicken you serve, is this something I can purchase at my local supermarket?
Yes! The company who makes the Orange Chicken we serve is the same company that makes Trader Joe's Orange Chicken! Enjoy!

Does Food & Nutrition Services offer vegetarian meals or choices on a daily basis?
Absolutely!
Not only do we offer Farmers' Market salads in all of our schools but we also offer hot vegetarian choices in our elementary schools IN ADDITION to our regular hot lunch menu!  Our secondary students have a wide variety of menu options that include vegetarian entrees, included pre-packaged Farmers' Market Salads!

Does the FNS department do business with Santa Monica and Los Angeles area owned companies?
Yes! Our partnership with the Santa Monica Farmer's Market is one example of how we do business with local companies. We also are proud of our partnerships with Santa Monica and Los Angeles area owned companies, like: Ameci Pizza, Papa John's, Gold Star Foods, ASR Produce, P&R Paper, A&R Distributors, Bagel Works, Smart & Final, Berkeley Street Beverage, Driftwood Dairy.

What is the Partial Meal Policy?
The Partial Meal Policy is actually District Policy 3556. This policy will be strictly enfoced in all of our schools. In our elementary schools, full price students will be allowed to owe for only three consecutive complete meals, a value not to exceed $9.00. If a child does not have money and has exceeded his/her three meal credits, a partial meal will be offered to the student. Please note: there is NO credit or partial meal service for secondary students.

The partial meal will be a nutritionally adequate meal consisting of a cheese sandwich and nonfat milk. Written reminders are sent home via the school/student folder on a regular basis. Parents are solely responsible for ensuring that their child's account is active and not in negative status. Parents are encouraged to check their child's balance by contacting the Cafeteria Worker II  or by contacting the Food & Nutrition Services Central Office.

What happens if I receive a Not Sufficent Fund notice for a payment made at the school cafeteria?
When we receive the NSF check, we will contact you via US Mail. You will be charged a $10 processing fee and will be responsible for paying for all outstanding debts and meals enjoyed by your child; any credits made to your child's account will be reversed. All future payments must be made in cash, money order or cashier's check; personal checks will no longer be accepted for the remainder of the school year.

When can parents submit an application for Free and Reduced Price Meal Benefits?
Throughout the school year!
Food & Nutrition Services accepts and processes Free & Reduced Price Meal Applications throughout the school year. If you've submitted an application previously and your circumstances have changed or if you've never submitted an application and your circumstances have changed…don't hesitate to submit a new application!  Applications are available on our website, in the school office, or in the Food & Nutrition Services Central Office.

I have a question, suggestion, compliment or comment about the Food & Nutrition Services program. Is there a phone number or email address for me to use?
Yes! If you'd like to call, please dial: 310 450 8338 ext 70228. If you'd like to email us, please click on this link for the appropriate email address: http://www.smmusd.org/foodservices/staff.html.