Good nutrition is critical to student achievement. It is the goal of the Wake County Public School System to provide our students with nutritionally balanced meals and snacks. Each elementary and middle school offers breakfast and lunch to all students every day; while our high schools offer lunch at all schools and breakfast where there is sufficient interest.

This school year, parents should be aware of several changes:

Cost

The price of breakfast and lunch has increased slightly – by 25 cents this year.

Elementary Middle and High

Breakfast $1.00 $1.25

Lunch $2.00 $2.25

Reduced priced breakfasts and lunches will remain at 30 cents for breakfast and 40 cents for lunch.

Families who are experiencing economic difficulties and whose income is at or below the free or reduced price scale of the Income Eligibility Guidelines may apply for the free or reduced price lunch program. Information packets and applications were sent home with students on the first day of year-round school and will be mailed to all families on the traditional calendar prior to the beginning of the school year. Applications can also be picked up in each school’s office or parents may call Child Nutrition at 919-856-2918 919-856-2918 to have an application mailed to them.

Breakfast & Lunch Payment Options

This year, parents at all schools will have access to an online prepayment system known as MyLunchMoney.com. Establishing an account with www.mylunchmoney.com makes it easy for parents to deposit money, check balances and replenish the account any time from a home computer, phone or fax. Parents using MyLunchMoney.com will also be able to view their child’s account, prepayment history, and see what their child has purchased over the past seven days. This new prepayment option also allows parents to place restrictions on what their child is allowed to purchase – such as “Lunch Only” or “Snacks only on Fridays.”

The goal is to have all schools on the new software system by Sept. 30.

Student Lunch Numbers

The move to the online prepayment option necessitated a change in students’ lunch numbers. Students will now be using their unique NCWISE number (also called student ID number) as their lunch number. Many students already use this number for library use, and it is displayed on class schedules, report cards and other school documents. Lunch accounts and lunch numbers stay with students even as they transfer between schools.

Healthy Food Choices

Healthy choices continue to expand this year with the removal of Moon Pies and a few less popular elementary snack items and the addition of whole wheat hamburger buns and hoagie rolls. The only white breads remaining in our school cafeterias are hot dog buns and the seeded hamburger buns used in high schools. Middle and high school vending machines will no longer contain snacks with more than 200 calories or packages with more than one serving. In addition, higher calorie items are being replaced with healthier, low-fat snack choices.

More locally grown, fresh produce will also be added to the menu this year as the growing season allows. Presently, fresh watermelon and peaches are being served to year-round students. When traditional schools return, cantaloupe will be added to the menu as well. Other new items this year will be locally-grown romaine lettuce and numerous varieties of North Carolina apples.

Menus Online

As in years past, parents can view what their school is serving for the entire month by viewing the breakfast and lunch menus online at www.wcpss.net.

More information about Child Nutrition Services can be found at www.wcpss.net/child-nutrition/.