Frequently Asked Questions
Food Service Monthly Ordering/Automated Payment
Q: Is there a service charge to pay on-line?
A: No, there is no service charge to the family for using the on-line payment service.
Q: Is there a minimum payment amount required to pay on-line?
A: Yes. A $25 minimum payment is required.
Q: Can you transfer funds between students?
A: Yes. Please send a written request to your school to request a transfer.
Q: Can a child use his plastic lunch ticket to pay for a friend’s lunch?
A: The kitchen staff is familiar with the students and will do their best to disallow the lending of bar coded lunch tickets between children. The lunch system also warns the kitchen staff that 1 lunch has already been purchased on that day.
Q: Since the Jr. High does not have plastic lunch tickets how will the scan system work?
A: All schools have been provided plastic lunch tickets with bar codes affixed to them, including the Jr. High Schools. Each student will have a plastic lunch ticket that will be maintained at their school (not left with the student).
Q: If a child has allergies will it be in the Mealtime system? How will kitchen personnel know that my child has food allergies?
A: The lunch system will be programmed to warn the kitchen staff when a student goes through the lunch line, of any allergies that a student may have. This information will be updated as often as the district receives information from a parent about a child’s allergy. Please make sure your school has up to date information on your child’s food allergies.
Q: Do I have to put $100 in each child’s account to get 3 free lunches?
A: Yes.
Q: When $100 is deposited into an account, how will I know I’ve received my 3 free lunches?
A: There are two ways to verify that the 3 free lunches have been added to your account. (1) Access your child’s account on-line and a $5.25 (3 lunches) bonus credit will appear or (2) Request a statement from the kitchen staff at your child's school. (Please note the credit will post within 24 hours of the deposit or at the end of the next school day if the deposit is made over the weekend.)
Q: Once I make a deposit on-line, how fast will it post to my child’s account?
A: On-line deposits will post to your child’s account within 24 hours or at the end of the next school day if the deposit is made over the weekend.
Q: Even if I do not pay on-line can I still sign up on-line to view my account?
A: Yes. The on-line portion of the program allows any parent to set up and account for each child. Once the account is set-up you will be able to view your child’s lunch activity.
Q: How will credits be applied?
A: Credits will no longer be necessary as of February 1st. If a child is absent and has ordered a lunch the child will not “swipe” down a lunch and the funds will remain in his/her account.
Q: How do I place certain restrictions on what my child can purchase (extra lunches, milkshakes, chips, etc.)?
A: Please send a written request to your school with the restrictions you prefer.
Q: Will I be able to order my lunches on-line?
A: Currently there is no software available to order lunches on-line.
Q: What are my payment options when making a deposit to my child’s account?
A: Deposits may be made using a credit card or a debit card.
Q: If there is a balance in my child’s account at end of the year what are my options?
A: If a child has a balance at the end of the school year the funds will roll over and be available for use in the new school year. We will also issue a check upon written request.
Q: If I put money into my 8th grader’s account and there is a balance at the end of the year what are my options?
A: We will issue a check upon written request or if there is a younger sibling in the family we can transfer the amount into their account.
Q: If I send a payment to school can I send cash or does it have to be a check?
A: For your own security, checks are highly preferred, however cash will be accepted.
Q: Why did the district change to monthly ordering?
A: The district food service committee felt that monthly ordering would be less confusing for families than weekly ordering. A survey confirmed this feeling with 77% of respondents in agreement.
Q: Do I still have to send the order form to school?
A: Yes. Each child must order on a monthly basis.
Q: Can my child still purchase milk/milkshakes with cash?
A: Yes.
Q: How can I find out what ingredients are in a meal?
A: This information may be obtained by contacting the Ceres dietitian at 773-385-5025.
Q: My child is on the Free/Reduced lunch plan. Do I still have to order lunches?
A: Yes, all students participating in the program must submit a lunch order form.
Q: Is there a charge if my child loses or damages their plastic lunch ticket?
A: No. Plastic lunch tickets will be replaced free of charge.