Students in lunch

Food & Nutrition Services

Overview

Well-nourished students are ready to learn

Food and Nutrition Services team members are partners in education, contributing to a successful academic experience for students through an innovative, nutritious and cost efficient program that encourages a lifetime of good nutrition. The program adheres to the United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.

Food and Nutrition Services team members are partners in education, contributing to a successful academic experience for students through an innovative, nutritious and cost efficient program that encourages a lifetime of good nutrition. The program adheres to the United States Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs.

Free/Reduced-Price School meals

Families may apply for free or reduced-price school meals through the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. A new application must be submitted each school year, and it must be completed in full to be considered. The most convenient way to submit an application is to apply online. The online application is available in English and Spanish. A paper application is available upon request from the school office or from Food and Nutrition Services.

At schools covered by the community eligibility provision, all students receive free school meals. Families at those schools do not need to submit an application. Chesterfield County schools covered by the community eligibility provision in 2023-24 are listed in the dropdown menu.

Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program

Food and Nutrition Services offers a Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program at Bellwood, Bensley, Chalkley, Christian, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Harrowgate, Hopkins and Salem Church elementary schools.

They offer a fresh fruit and vegetable snack to students 3 days a week in school.

The goal of the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program is to:

  • Create healthier school environments by providing healthier food opportunities and education

  • Expand the variety of fruits and vegetables children experience to increase children’s fruit and vegetable consumption

  • Make a difference in children’s diets to impact their present and future health

Snacks will be eaten in the classroom, along with fun and educational information led by school staff. Children will be encouraged to try the fruit or vegetable snack of the day, but they may choose to not participate if they do not like or cannot eat the fruit or vegetable offered.

Please encourage your child to participate in the snack, as this is a great way to show students healthy food choices that are both familiar and new!

Adding Money to your Child's Account

MySchoolBucks.com is a simple and convenient alternative to ensure your child has money in their account for school meals. Access the service via web or download the app.

Through MySchoolBucks.com, you can:

  • Eliminate the need to send lunch money daily or weekly

  • Add funds as needed or set an automatic deduction from your credit card or debit card

  • View your child’s purchases over the past seven days

  • Place a daily or weekly limit on how your child spends funds

  • See your MySchoolBucks.com payment history

  • Receive e-mail notifications when your child’s account balance drops to a certain level

Returned Checks

Food and Nutrition Services contracts with Envision Payment Solutions for services related to returned checks. A $50 fee is charged for each returned check in addition to the value of the check. For questions, call 855-832-5226.

Information About Nutrition and Menus

Chesterfield County Public Schools provides nutritious breakfasts and lunches, offering milk, fruits, vegetables, proteins and grains and meeting strict limits on saturated fat and portion size. Nutrition is prioritized, and CCPS is meeting the challenges set forth in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act. School lunches must meet federal standards that require 

  • age-appropriate calorie limits

  • larger servings of vegetables and fruits (Students are required to take at least one fruit or vegetable) 

  • wider variety of vegetables, including dark green vegetables, red/orange vegetables and legumes 

  • fat-free or 1% milk 

  • more whole grains (At least half of all the grains in school meals must be whole grains) 

  • minimum and maximum levels for all grain and protein products

  • less sodium

Here are some of the steps taken to make school breakfasts and lunches healthy and nutritious:

  • whole-grain rolls, biscuits, buns and pizza crust

  • cupped fruit in natural or extra-light syrup

  • reduced-fat dressings

  • baked fries (no frying in elementary or middle schools)

  • whole-grain breading on chicken and nuggets

  • 100% beef and reduced-fat burgers

  • vegetarian choice every day

To view your school’s menu, visit MealViewer.com and create a free account. Meals can be viewed via the website link or through the MealViewer app.

Food Allergies

Parents can use this link to the Food Allergy/Food modification Medical Statement or get one from their school’s nurse or cafeteria manager. This form must be completed and signed by a Licensed Healthcare Provider and returned to the school’s nurse. The school nurse will provide the statement to the cafeteria manager who will send it to the Food & Nutrition Dietitian to determine any meal accommodations.

Frequently Asked Questions