Child Nutrition

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to LinkedIn Share to Pinterest Share to Email Print this page

The Child Nutrition Department is committed to promoting student health and well-being by providing nutritious, balanced meals every school day. Our team ensures that all meals meet federal and state nutrition guidelines, offering a variety of delicious options to accommodate diverse dietary needs and preferences. We emphasize the importance of healthy eating habits and work to educate students about nutrition.

Menus

Summer Menus

When selecting ingredients and entrees to serve in our program we look for foods that are lean, low-fat, low-sodium, low-sugar, hormone-free, additive-free, and whole grain rich.

For more detailed information regarding our school menus (ingredients, caloric/nutritional information, etc.), please use our Interactive Menus or scan the QR code below to download our interactive school menu app.

Apple App Store

Google Play Store

Special Dietary Needs

For students with special dietary needs please contact Lydia Hales via email at: lydia.hales@slcschools.org. A special dietary request form is required to accommodate students with allergies and other dietary needs. This form can be found in the "resources" portion of this webpage or by clicking the button below. The form needs to be filled out by an approved medical professional. The form can be turned into the school your student is attending, or directly to Lydia Hales via email or fax.

Lydia Hales contact information:
Email: lydia.hales@slcschools.org
Phone: 801-974-8386
Fax: 801-974-8390

As a district we have noted that there is a high demand for a "pork free" menu in many of our communities. For this reason, we do not serve pork in our elementary schools or during the summer meal program. In our secondary schools, we provide multiple menu options. Pork can be served, however, menu items must clearly state "Pork" in the menu description. Older students will be able to easily identify pork products and select accordingly.

Please note that while we continue to serve items that resemble pork products such as Turkey Ham & Cheese Sandwich, Rib Q Sandwich, Corn Dog, and Pepperoni Pizza, they are all completely pork-free and are instead made from meats like turkey, beef and chicken.

For questions regarding ingredients, please contact our department registered dietician - Lydia Hales.

Pay for Meals

We use an app called SchoolCafe to allow parents to pay for school meals online (click the green logo to make a payment). SchoolCafe is a state-of-the-art online service that provides you the convenience to manage your student’s meal accountand apply for free meal benefits all at one place. To aid in managing your student’s account on-the-go, SchoolCafe also has a free mobile app available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play store.

Every household must create a SchoolCafe account before accessing their student lunch account or applying for free meal benefits. Be ready to provide your child(ren)’s full registered name, student ID number, and the school enrolled. All questions regarding your child’s registered name or student ID number must be directed to the main school office where your child is enrolled.

Important Information

Students new to the district must be enrolled and obtain a student ID number before creating an SchoolCafe account.
Parents who wish to pay via check or cash can pay for school meals in the school office.
Students will be charged extra for second meals or take extra items. (Even students who qualify for free lunch are charged if they take extra items (like an extra milk) or a second meal.)

Payment Questions or Concerns

If you have any questions or feel that your student meal account balance is not correct, contact Jonathan Chesnut the Finance Specialist at Salt Lake City School District Child Nutrition Department. If Jonathan is not available, our trained team of support specialists are available during office hours to assist you as well.

Contact Jonathan or any of our support specialists at...
Email: mealfees@slcschools.org
Phone: (801) 974-8380

Free and Reduced Price Meals

SchoolCafe’s Free and Reduced Online Application makes it easy and convenient to apply for free meals at the click of a button. Online applications are instantly and securely submitted to the school district for processing and approval. It is extremely fast, convenient, and reliable.

Every household must create a SchoolCafe account before applying for free meal benefits. Be ready to provide your child(ren)’s full registered name, student ID number, and the school enrolled. All questions regarding your child’s registered name or student ID number must be directed to the main school office where your child is enrolled. Note: New students to the district must be enrolled and obtain a student ID number before creating an account.

Families must reapply every school year for free and reduced meal benefits. Submit only ONE APPLICATION for your entire household. Do no submit a separate application for each child who attends school. If you have already completed an application for this school year, you do not need to complete another application. For more information or help completing the free and reduced meal application contact the Child Nutrition department by email freeandreduced@slcschools.org or phone (801) 974-8380.

Parents may also elect to print out and submit a paper application to the kitchen manager or child nutrition department. Paper applications are available in a variety of language. If you would like to obtain an application in another language, click the following link: USDA Paper Applications (Translated Print Ready Versions).

Important Information

Students will be charged extra for second meals or take extra items. (Even students who qualify for free lunch are charged if they take extra items (like an extra milk) or a second meal.)

Free and Reduced Price Meal Resources

2024-2025 Paper Application- English

2024-2025 Paper Application- Spanish

2025 Summer EBT Benefit Notice

Paper Application Help (English)

Paper Application Help (Spanish)

USDA Paper Applications (Translated Print Ready Versions)

SchoolCafe Informational Flyer

SchoolCafe Parent Handout

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

Donate to our Emergency School Meals Fund

Utah Sun Bucks (Summer EBT)

Utah SUN Bucks (also called Summer EBT) can help families buy food during the summer when schools are closed. Families get $120 for each eligible school-age child.

How do I get SUN Bucks?

If you receive SNAP or TANF and you qualify for free or reduced school lunch, your school-age children will automatically be enrolled, and SUN Bucks will be added to your SNAP account or issued as a separate electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card this summer. For Medicaid recipients, scan the QR code below or visit jobs.utah.gov/SUNBucks to see if your program qualifies.

If you attend a school where everyone receives free lunch (CEP School) and you do NOT receive SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, you can apply for SUN Bucks online at https://jobs.utah.gov/mycase-app/ui/sun-bucks/home .

Applications must be submitted by August 31, 2025.

If you moved since filling out your free or reduced meal application, update your address at https://jobs.utah.gov/mycase-app/ui/sun-bucks/home . Protect your student's personal information by sending only this information:

State Student ID# (SSID) - this is not your student’s lunch number
Student’s first and last name
Student’s day and month of birth
School and district your student attended in the 2024-2025 school year
The last home address reported to the school
The current mailing address of the student
Name of Parent or Guardian who filled out the free reduced meal application at school

SUN Bucks needs this information for each student. If they are unable to locate your student with this information, SUN Bucks will request additional information by sending an encrypted email to protect your student’s personal information.

If you participate in SNAP, TANF or Medicaid, make sure your address is up to date on jobs.utah.gov/mycase so your SUN Bucks benefits are sent to the right place!