Frequently Asked Questions

Questions
1)  Can I prepay for my child’s meals?
2)  Can I complete an application for free or reduced-price meals by phone or fax instead of sending it to my child’s school?
3)  Do I have to complete a new free and reduced application each year?
4)  Can I put the amount of money that I bring home on the free and reduced application instead of the gross amount?
5)  My child has food allergies. Can he get food that doesn’t contain those allergens?
6)  How can I find out the balance in my Child’s Lunch Account?
7)  How do you get a job with School Nutrition?
8)  What happens if my child loses lunch money?
9)  What happens if there is money left on my child’s account at the end of the year?
10)  If a class decides to have a pizza party instead of eating in the cafeteria, is this ok?
11)  Can my child’s teacher decide what my child chooses for breakfast or lunch?
12)  Are school lunches high in fat and calories?
13)  Are school breakfasts and lunches nutritious?
14)  How are checks returned with insufficient funds handled?
 
Answers
1)  Q Can I prepay for my child’s meals?
A

Yes. Cash or a check may be sent to the school lunchroom to place on the child's account or payment may be made using LunchPrePay.com

2)  Q Can I complete an application for free or reduced-price meals by phone or fax instead of sending it to my child’s school?
A
All applications must be original, official forms submitted at your child’s school or to School Nutrition Services, 501 W. Washington St.
3)  Q Do I have to complete a new free and reduced application each year?
A
Yes
4)  Q Can I put the amount of money that I bring home on the free and reduced application instead of the gross amount?
A
No, USDA guidelines state that the gross amount must be reported.
5)  Q My child has food allergies. Can he get food that doesn’t contain those allergens?
A

Yes, but a Special Diet Order must be completed by the child's physician.
6)  Q How can I find out the balance in my Child’s Lunch Account?
A
Call the school cafeteria manager or use LunchPrePay.com
7)  Q How do you get a job with School Nutrition?
A

The first step is to complete an online application here.
8)  Q What happens if my child loses lunch money?
A
The student will be allowed to charge the meal but payment is expected back to the school within the week. High school students will not be allowed to charge.
9)  Q What happens if there is money left on my child’s account at the end of the year?
A
The money will remain on your child’s account and will be available the first day of school of the next year.
10)  Q If a class decides to have a pizza party instead of eating in the cafeteria, is this ok?
A
Federal and state regulations prohibit this practice, even if the food is donated and no child is charged for the meal. School Nutrition Services must operate all food and beverage services during lunch hours. Food that meets the Wellness Policy procedures may be served after all students are fed if it has been approved by the administrators of the school.
11)  Q Can my child’s teacher decide what my child chooses for breakfast or lunch?
A
Each child has choices at breakfast and lunch. Children should be allowed to make their own choices however teachers can encourage students to try new items.
12)  Q Are school lunches high in fat and calories?
A
Meals are planned by a registered dietitian and according to federal regulations provide 1/3 of the students' Recommended Dietary Allowances and contain no more than 30 percent calories from fat and 10 percent calories from saturated fat averaged over the week.
13)  Q Are school breakfasts and lunches nutritious?
A
School lunches sometimes get falsely accused of contributing to the childhood obesity issue but the research shows evidence that school lunch plays a major role in keeping our children healthy. Foods are no longer fried. French fries are served in high schools only and just one day per week. Menus include whole grain choices and fresh fruits and vegetables.

Recent Government Accounting Office (GAO) reports state “school meals are healthy and children who eat school meals consume more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy items than children who do not eat schools meals.”

Research has shown lunches from home usually include a sandwich and snack foods. This combination contains more carbohydrates, fat, and sugar. Milk was included in 87% of the school lunches and only 7% of lunches from home.
14)  Q How are checks returned with insufficient funds handled?
A
A company, RFB will provide collections on returned checks written to School Nutrition Services. RFB is a contract vendor for Guilford County Schools. A service charge will be assessed for each check in addition to the face value of the unpaid check. A sticker advising the customer that returned checks are sent to collections is posted at each school cafeteria. Checks are no longer accepted if insufficient checks are presented more than two times.