Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Reimbursable Lunch?
A reimbursable lunch includes a minimum of 2 oz. of protein (meat/meat alternate such as cheese), one bread/grain, one fruit and one vegetable totaling ¾ cup, and 8 oz of milk. Students must choose 3 of the 5 components to be considered a lunch. For example, a cheeseburger and milk is a lunch because it includes a meat/meat alternate serving, a bread serving, and a milk serving. Or, chicken nuggets, an apple, and potato puffs is a lunch because it includes a meat/meat alternate serving, a fruit serving, a vegetable serving, and a bread/grain serving in the nugget whole grain breading.
If a student is eligible for Free or Reduced Price Lunches, is he/she eligible for Free or Reduced Price Breakfast?
YES, they are eligible for BOTH breakfast and lunch at their Free or Reduced Price.
If a student is eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals, can he choose from any menu options?
Yes, all menu/meals are included if you participate in the Free or Reduced Price program. A la carte is not included and current pricing applies.
What are the prices of breakfast & lunch for 2011-2012?
| Breakfast | Lunch | |
| Elementary (grades 1-4) | $1.05 | $2.05 |
| Intermediate/Middle School (grades 5-8) | $1.35 | $2.35 |
| High School (grades 9-12) | $1.35 | $2.35-$2.70 |
| Reduced Price (all grades) | $.30 | $.40 |
| Milk (all grades) | $.60 | $.60 |
How do I apply for Free or Reduced Price meals?
Applications are mailed home each year in August, can be downloaded by clicking here, and can be picked up at any time throughout the year at each school office, central enrollment and the District Office. Or, you can apply anytime online through the COMPASS website (click here). If you are denied and your situation changes, you can reapply as many times as you need to throughout the school year to see if your eligibility changes.
Do I need to complete a separate application for each family member or if my children attend different schools within the Ephrata Area School District?
NO, you only need to complete ONE application PER FAMILY.
If I received Free or Reduced Price Meals the previous year, do I need to apply for the new school year?
YES, a new application must be submitted every year. There is a 30-day grace period for applications at the beginning of the school year. During this 30-day grace period, students who were on the program the previous year will be carried over, but will be removed at the end of the 30 days if a new application is not submitted.
What is Meals Plus?
Meals Plus is our computerized Point of Sale system installed throughout our District.
How does Meals Plus work?
Meals Plus allows parents and students to pre-pay for breakfast and/or lunch purchases by depositing money into their individual account. Envelopes with cash or checks accompanied by completed account deposit slips can be placed into the student’s school’s payment drop box. In order for a deposit to be guaranteed entry for that day, it must be put into the drop box by 9:30 AM.
Meals Plus also offers LunchPrepay.com (please see link on the Food Service homepage) as an alternative way to deposit money directly into your student’s account. LunchPrepay.com assesses a $1.95 fee per deposit to your credit card when utilizing this alternative prepayment system. Deposits made prior to 10 AM will be available for your student’s use that day; payments made after 10 AM will not be available until the next school day.
How do I use my account?
Upon initial enrollment, all students have their account information installed into the system. Students make purchases by using their ID card. Accounts are used to purchase breakfast and/or lunch whether using cash or deposited money from their account. An initial deposit (cash or check made out to EASD-FSF) along with a completed account deposit slip (student’s name, ID number, amount of deposit and check number if applicable) must be mailed or returned in person by you or the student to their school’s cafeteria. Once deposited, your student’s account funds will be available for use. (Prepayment/Deposit Forms can be found under that Link on the Food Service home page.)
What if my child loses his/her ID card?
Students should go to their school’s office to purchase a replacement.
How can I check the balance of my child’s account?
Students are informed by cashiers once their account balance falls below $12.00. Low cash and charge letters are sent home weekly at the elementary schools. Parents can also call their school’s Cafeteria Manager at any time and request an account balance or purchase print out.
In addition, parents can go online to LunchPrepay.com and create an account to view their student’s account balance and purchases. (Please see the LunchPrepay link on the Food Service Homepage.)
What do I do if I want my child to only be able to purchase school meals and no extras or a la carte?
On every account deposit slip, there is an area to check (1) school meals only, (2) school meals/double meals, or (3) school meals and a la carte. Please check your desired choice when you complete the deposit slip and send in a deposit. You may change this any time throughout the school year. You may also call the Cafeteria Manager to have your choice changed at any time. If you choose no a la carte, please remember that your student’s account cannot be used to purchase any extras including milk, an extra sandwich, fruit, snacks, etc. Your child would need to use cash to purchase any of these items.
How do I find out nutritional information of a meal or product?
This information is available on the menus/nutritional information page.
What do I do if my child is transferring to another District or graduating and there is still money in his/her account?
Please complete a Request for Refund Form (see Link on home page) and submit it to the Food Services Office. After receiving and processing your request, checks are mailed after Board Meeting approval.
What if my child has an allergy?
A current statement from your doctor must be submitted each year to the school nurse regarding the allergy and what substitutions may be made. Please note that according to a new USDA regulation, we can no longer offer juice as a substitute for students with milk intolerance or non-disabling allergies. Due to this regulation change, parents/guardians may send a milk substitute with their child or purchase water or juice a la carte. Parents/guardians may also send medication such as Lactaid in to the nurse who can administer it to your child prior to their lunch period. Lactaid or any other medication will require a physician’s note that states the name of the medication, dose and administration directions. Please do not hesitate to contact the Food Service Office with any questions regarding allergies.
Thank you for your support of the lunch program. Please call if you have any questions. You may call the school and ask for the cafeteria or call the Food Service office at 717-721-1400 X11302.