Food Services Frequently Asked Questions Free and Reduced Questions Allergy and Meals Questions Breakfast Questions Lunch Questions

Free and Reduced Meal Questions

Question: Who can apply for free or reduced priced meal benefits? Answer: Any family in our school district is eligible to apply. Children in households receiving Food Stamps or TANF Families with foster children Homless Families Question: I have a foster child, what information do you require in addition to the application? Answer: Please include a copy of the child’s placement papers with your application. Question: What if I stop receiving Food Stamps or TANF? Answer: If your children qualified because you listed Food Stamp or TANF case numbers, you must notify UM Food Services, when you no longer receive this benefit, please call us at 215-830-1522. Question: My husband was unemployed for the past year, and finally he will be going back to work. We have received a meal benefit for our family, what do I do? Answer: If your income changes increases or decreases by more that $ 50.00 per month, your must inform UM Food Services, call us at 215-830-1522. Question: I received a meal benefit (free or reduced priced meals) for my child in another district, can I just tell you? Answer: No, a new application must be completed. Every family in our district must have a current application through our school district on file to receive a meal benefit. Question: If I received a free or reduced priced meal last school year, do I need to complete a new application? Answer: Yes, an Application must be completed and approved each school year. For the first two weeks of the school year, we will grant the previous school approved meal benefit to any family who was approved in the prior school year in our district or click to link: http://www.compass.state.pa.us Question: I lost my application, can I have another application? Answer: Should you need another application, they are available from your child’s school office or click to link: http://www.compass.state.pa.us Question: What if I am denied, and now I think I am qualified can I re-apply for free or reduced priced meals? Answer: Yes, you may re-apply at any time during the school year, re-submit a new application. This usually happens if you income changes or if the member of the household change. Remember to include a copy of all income in your household, e.g., a copy of pay stubs. Question: I am receiving a reduced meal benefit for my children, and will be having another child next month, what do I do? Answer: Your family size is changing, after the birth if your child, you may change the information on your application, just re-submit a new application. Question: How can you be sure, no one will know if my child is approved for free meals? Answer: All the information we kept confidential. For those students receiving free or reduced meal benefit, their meals are processed as all the other meals. No one will know the approval status, except for the manager. You may add money to your child’s account for extra milk or snack on any day. Question: I am not sure what some of the terms mean on the application, can someone help me? Answer: Yes, for any questions or assistance in completing the application contact 215-830-1522.

Allergies and Meals Questions

Question: My child has an allergy, what do I need to do? Answer: At the start of the school year, each child receives an note from the nurse asking if they have an allergy, if so, this must be completed and returned to the nurse. If your child indicates a food allergy we will send you a note with a prescription request, it must be completed by a medically recognized signature and returned to the your child’s school. We will place a note in your child’s account once a completed medical form is received. Food Allergy Forms for each school For the safety and health of your child, you must return the PA Dept. of Ed Form to our office. (see link below) Medical Statement for Students with Special Dietary Needs in Child Nutrition Programs

Breakfast Questions

Question: Do you have breakfast at the Elementary School? Answer: Yes, breakfast is served for the Before-Care Club; the cost for BCC breakfast is part of the tuition. We also offer breakfast On the Run, which are eaten in the classrooms.   Question: What is a typical school breakfast? Answer: Every meal is $ 1.00 (High School - $1.10) and this includes an entree choice and a milk or fruit choice. Each day we offer several self-serve choices. In all our schools, we feature a hot meal e.g., Breakfast Burrito, Egg McMoreland sandwich; we also offer cereal, bagels or pastries as a choice.

Lunch Questions

Question: I have a first grader in the Primary School; can you tell me what comes with their lunch? Answer: Every lunch is $ 1.95, and it includes the entrée (bread and a meat), a fruit, a vegetable and milk. Each lunch meal is based on the same five groups found in the food pyramid. Question: If my child goes on a field trip, can you pack a lunch? Answer: Yes, we ask for 2-3 days notice, just send us the Lunch to Go Form, with the Pre-pay café student number and we will have ready for the trip. Please include your phone number and the date and time of the trip. Question: I have a picky eater first grader, and he will only eat Peanut Butter and Jelly, can he buy this everyday? Answer: Yes, we offer two meals that feature peanut butter and jelly. The Soup and a half is half sandwiches of p. b. and j and a cup of soup with all the featured vegetables and fruits plus milk. We also offer a p. b. and j. sandwich with all the side dishes, too. Question: What are the prices of the schools meals? Answer: All breakfasts are $1.00 Elementary School lunch is $1.95 Middle School lunch is $2.20 High School breakfast is $1.10 High School lunch is $2.75 Question: Is milk an extra charge? Answer: One milk is included with all meals. Extra milk may be purchased for .55 for Elementary Schools and .60 for Middle and High School.