Child Nutrition
OFFICE STAFF
Jeff Wolfer
Supervisor
651-403-7321 | jeffrey.wolfer@isd197.org
Kelly Wegener
Administrative Assistant
651-403-7320 | kelly.wegener@isd197.org
The School District 197 Child Nutrition Department is committed to providing nutritious, high-quality meals that appeal to children, help them stay healthy, and give them the energy they need to be successful in the classroom.
All School District 197 schools participate in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
Child Nutrition Resources
- Links & Resources
- Payment for Meal Accounts
- Free or Reduced-Price Meals
- Community Resources
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Meal Prices
- Menus
- Special Diet Statement
- Local Wellness Policy: Triennial Assessment Report
Links & Resources
Payment for Meal Accounts
Each student will have their own personal account in which they can place money for purchases. In addition to an online option, payment to accounts may be made to a student’s individual school with a personal check or cash. Personal checks or cash may also be sent directly to the District Child Nutrition Office for individual or multiple students, with a note designating how the money is to be divided. The District Child Nutrition Office is able to place money in a student’s account for all schools. Please make checks payable to “ISD 197 Child Nutrition” and include the student’s full name and PIN or Student ID Number on the check.
All students may also use the money in their accounts to purchase individual cartons of milk and additional entrees. Middle school and high school students may purchase healthy snacks using their meal account.
Positive and negative account balances are carried over to the next school year.
Account balances are available by contacting the Child Nutrition representative at your child’s school or by setting up an online account through MyPaymentsPlus (see below).
OPTIONS FOR PUTTING MONEY IN YOUR CHILD'S ACCOUNT
- Back-to-School Open Houses
A representative of the Child Nutrition Department will be present at each school’s open house or picture day held prior to the start of the school year. They will gladly accept payment for school meals and answer questions about the Child Nutrition program. - Mail/Drop-off (All Grades and Schools)
The Child Nutrition Department is located at Henry Sibley High School. You may drop off payments in person beginning mid-August. Parents are also welcome to mail payments to: School District 197 Child Nutrition, 1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. - Online via MyPaymentsPlus
ONLINE PAYMENTS (MyPaymentsPlus)
MyPaymentsPlus allows parents and guardians to make online payments to their child’s meal account. It also enables parents to view their child’s account balance, check payments and view purchase history. Confirmation of payments and low balance reminders can be automatically emailed to parents. The Auto-Replenish feature allows parents to set a low balance amount that will automatically replenish your child’s account when it reaches a specified balance.
Parents need not make deposits via MyPaymentsPlus in order to register an account and enjoy the benefits of receiving low-balance reminders and viewing student purchase history.
MyPaymentsPlus accepts MasterCard, VISA, Discover, and American Express credit or debit cards; or you may pay by electronic debit from your Checking or Savings account by providing account and routing numbers. Credit card payments CANNOT be processed over the phone by calling the Child Nutrition Department.
Keep in mind that if you have set up low balance alerts that you must set the notification for the account--Meal or General--in which you are depositing money (or both).
It is strongly recommended that all parents set up an account in MyPaymentsPlus and utilize the low balance notification or auto-replenish feature to avoid having their child(ren) run out of money. It is the parent’s responsibility to make sure their child(ren) has/have adequate funds in their account(s) as negative balances are not allowed at anytime during the school year. If you have questions regarding your child's account, you may contact the Child Nutrition representative at your child's school or the Child Nutrition Office at (651) 403-7320.
Need to login or create an account? Please access MyPaymentsPlus by clicking here. visiting https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com/welcome
Note: Please have your child(ren)’s Student ID Number(s) when setting up an account with MyPaymentsPlus. Parents may contact their child’s school or the Child Nutrition Office at 651-403-7320 to get their child’s Student ID number. There is no service fee for deposits made through MyPaymentsPlus.
Free or Reduced-Price Meals
To apply for free or reduced-price school meals, fill out an application online or download and print an Application for Educational Benefits in English or Spanish.
Applications for the new school year are available August 1. Families must complete a new form each year. Please ensure you are filling out the current year's form for District 197 or it will not be accepted.
The Application for Educational Benefits is also used to determine funding for other important educational programs in the District, so please be sure to complete one each year.
Paper applications can also be obtained at each main school office or at the District Office, 1897 Delaware Avenue, Mendota Heights.
All students eligible for Free or Reduced Price Meals are eligible to receive both breakfast and lunch at no charge.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who can get free or reduced-price meals?
Children in households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and foster, homeless, migrant, and runaway children can get free school meals without reporting household income. Also, children can get free meals if their household income is within the maximum income shown for the household size on the instructions.
I get WIC or Medical Assistance. Can my children get free school meals?
Children in households participating in WIC may be eligible for free meals, but will not qualify automatically. Please fill out an application.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. citizen?
Yes. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens for your children to qualify for free or reduced-price school meals.
What if my income is not always the same?
List the amount that you normally get or the average of your last three paychecks. If you normally get overtime, include it, but not if you get it only sometimes.
Will the information I give be checked?
Yes, and we may also ask you to send written proof.
How will the information be kept?
Information you provide on the form, and your child’s approval status for school meal benefits, will be protected as private data. For more information see the back page of the Application for Educational Benefits.
How long does it take for the Child Nutrition Office to process an application?
Applications are processed within 10 business days and families are notified if they are approved or not approved. The Child Nutrition Office encourages families to complete the online application (versus paper) for the shortest processing time.
Note: Families who qualified for free meals in District 197 during the last school year will retain their benefits until mid-October of the following year. Parents and guardians should still complete a new form as soon as possible after August 1, but don't need to be concerned if they don't hear from the Child Nutrition Office before the start of the year.
If I don't qualify now, may I apply later?
Yes. Please complete an application at any time if your income goes down, your household size goes up, or you start getting SNAP, MFIP or FDPIR benefits.
Other things to note about the application:
- Please provide the information requested about children's racial identity and ethnicity, which helps to make sure we are fully serving our community. This information is not required for approval of school meal benefits, however.
- The form asks for the last four digits of the Social Security Number of the person who is signing the application, but it is not required. If the signer does not have a Social Security Number, simply check the box on the form that says they do not have one.
- Forms must be for the current school year and for the school district in which the child is enrolled. Old forms and forms from other districts will not be accepted in District 197.
If you have other questions or need help, please call the Child Nutrition Department at 651-403-7320.
Community Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If you cannot find the answer to your question in the list below, please call 651-403-7320.
If you have questions about the Application for School Benefits, please click on the "Free or Reduced-Price meals" link above.
How do I put money in my child’s meal account?
Funds may be deposited in student accounts in the following ways
- By Cash or Check (drop-off or mailed): Families may add funds to their child’s meal account by dropping off cash or a check at the district’s Child Nutrition Office, which is located within Henry Sibley High School. Payments can also be mailed to School District 197 Child Nutrition, 1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights, MN 55118. Please make sure checks and cash are accompanied by a note that includes the student’s full name, PIN or student ID number and, if applicable, how the money should be divided between multiple students’ accounts.
- Online via MyPaymentsPlus (https://www2.mypaymentsplus.com): MyPaymentsPlus allows parents and guardians to make online payments to their child’s meal account. the software also enables parents and guardians to view their child’s account balance, check payments and view purchase history. Confirmation of payments and low balance reminders can be automatically emailed to parents. The Auto-Replenish features allow parents to set a low balance amount that will automatically replenish their child’s account when it reaches a specified balance. Parents need not make deposits via MyPaymentsPlus in order to register an account and enjoy the benefits of receiving low-balance reminders and viewing student purchase history. MyPaymentsPlus accepts MasterCard, VISA and Discover credit or debit cards; or you may pay by electronic debit from your Checking or Savings account by providing account and routing numbers. Note: Credit card payments can NOT be processed over the phone by calling the Child Nutrition Office.
What happens to the money in my child's account at the end of the school year?
If there is a remaining balance in your child's account, it will stay there and carry over to the next school year. If a child is moving from 4th grade to 5th grade (middle school) or 8th grade to 9th grade (high school), their account balance will follow them to their new school. Similarly, negative balances will also carry over to the next school year/school unless they are paid.
If a family withdraws their child from School District 197 or a student graduates, can they request a check for the remaining funds in their child's account?
Yes. Families may request a refund by contacting Kelly Wegener at 651-403-7320 or kelly.wegener@isd197.org. If the student has a sibling who will remain enrolled in a School District 197 school, the balance may also be transferred to that student's account.
Can money be transferred from one student's account to another student's account?
Yes, as long as both children are enrolled in School District 197. Transfers may be requested by contacting Kelly Wegener at 651-403-7320 or kelly.wegener@isd197.org.
Does my student's 4-digit PIN change each year?
No. Each student's PIN stays the same from each year to the next.
When depositing money for my child, what is the difference between a General Account and a Meal Account?
Parents have the option to deposit funds into the General Account or Meal Account. Funds in the Meal Account may only be used to purchase breakfasts and lunches. Funds in the General Account may be used to purchase breakfasts, lunches, and A la Carte items, including additional entrees and cartons of milk. Families are encouraged to use the General Account, unless they wish to restrict their child's A la Carte purchases.
Keep in mind that if you have set up low balance alerts that you must set the notification for the account--Meal or General--in which you are depositing money (or both).
How will I know when my student’s meal account needs more money?
Families are expected to monitor the funds in their child's account at all times. The easiest way to do this is through the district's online payment system called MyPaymentsPlus. Parents and guardians can choose to receive an email alert when their student’s account balance reaches a specific level, which they set. Learn more about MyPaymentsPlus and create an account by clicking here.
Account balances can also be obtained by contacting the Child Nutrition representative at your child’s school.
The Child Nutrition office sends out letters and emails to families who have low and negative account balances on a weekly basis.
What is the district's policy for unpaid, negative account balances?
The School District 197 School Board adopted Policy 534 - Unpaid Meal Charges in 2017.
Is there a way to see what my child purchases for lunch?
Yes. Parents/guardians can see everything their child purchases by date and meal, along with the amount spent, in the Meal Purchase History of MyPaymentsPlus. Learn more about MyPaymentsPlus and create an account at https://www.isd197.org/services/childnutrition/studentaccounts/.
I don't have a credit card. Can I still use MyPaymentsPlus?
Yes. Families who do not electronically transfer funds into their child's account can still use MyPaymentsPlus to view their child's account balance, review purchases, receive low-balance alerts and more.
Can I access MyPaymentsPlus during the summer?
Yes. Families may login to MyPaymentsPlus over the summer when school is not in session. Low balance alerts and auto-replenish are suspended from June to August each year. Learn more about MyPaymentsPlus and create an account at https://www.isd197.org/services/childnutrition/studentaccounts/.
How do I notify the staff at my child's school about their food allergy or special dietary needs?
Parents/guardians with students who require a dietary accommodation should submit a Special Dietary Statement. Click the link below to learn more.
Meal Prices
Breakfast
- Mendota, Somerset & Pilot Knob: $1.50
- Friendly Hills & Henry Sibley: $1.85
- Moreland, Garlough & Heritage: All students FREE
- Reduced-Price Meals Eligible*: All Grades FREE
- Kindergarteners: All Students FREE
- Adult: $2.40
- Carton of Milk Only: $0.50
Lunch
- Elementary (K-4): $2.85
- Secondary (5-12): $3.25
- Reduced-Price Meals Eligible*: All Grades FREE
- Adult: $4.15
- Carton of Milk Only: $0.50
DEPOSITING MONEY IN YOUR CHILD'S ACCOUNT
Funds may be deposited in student accounts in the following ways:
- By cash or check (drop-off or mailed): Families may add funds to their child’s meal account by dropping off a check at the district’s Child Nutrition Office, which is located within Henry Sibley High School. Payments can also be mailed to School District 197 Child Nutrition, 1897 Delaware Ave, Mendota Heights, MN 55118.
- Online via MyPaymentsPlus: MyPaymentsPlus allows parents to make online payments for their child’s meal account. Parents may view their child’s account balance, payments made through MyPaymentsPlus, and purchase history. Confirmation of payments and low balance reminders are automatically emailed to parents. The AutoPay feature will automatically replenish their child’s account when it reaches a parent specified low balance. Parents need not make deposits via MyPaymentsPlus in order to set up an account and enjoy the benefits of receiving low-balance reminders and viewing student purchase history. MyPaymentsPlus accepts MasterCard, VISA, and Discover credit or debit cards; or you may pay by electronic debit from your checking or savings account by providing account and routing numbers. Be sure to download the MyPaymentsPlus App on your mobile devices and manage your child’s account from anywhere!
Note: Credit card payments CANNOT be processed over the phone by calling the Child Nutrition Office.
Menus
Special Diet Statement
School Food Authorities (SFAs) must make reasonable substitutions to meals on a case-by-case basis for children who are considered to have a disability that restricts their diet [7 CFR 210.10(m)]. According to the ADA Amendments Act, most physical and mental impairments will constitute a disability.
SFAs are not required to accommodate special dietary requests that do not constitute a disability, including requests related to religious or moral convictions or personal preference. If these requests are accommodated, SFAs must ensure all USDA meal pattern and nutrient requirements are met.
STEPS FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING A FORM:
1. Download a Special Diet Statement form (below) and have it completed and signed by a medical professional (e.g. a licensed physician, physician assistant, or an advanced practice registered nurse, such as a certified nurse practitioner.) prior to receiving dietary accommodation. Signed documentation from a medical professional, on medical facility letterhead, outlining dietary accommodations is also acceptable.
2. Submit a completed form to the health office at your child's school.
3. The school nurse will review the documentation and may contact parent, medical professional, and/or Child Nutrition with questions.
4. The school nurse will inform the kitchen manager and child’s teacher about the special diet request, along with directions for the diet, as needed.
Parent/guardian is responsible for providing a new special diet statement if there are any updates or changes to the current dietary form on file. It is not necessary to provide a new special diet statement every school year if there are no dietary changes. Any medications involved with allergies require an annual medical doctor’s signature.
In the case of food allergies or diabetes, parents/guardians may also want to notify their child’s teacher, school age care staff and others who should know to ensure child’s safety during school and school-sponsored activities.
Note: Parents may provide a written request for lactose-reduced milk if their child is lactose intolerant without a physician’s signature.
Special Diet Statement
Declaración de dieta especial
