FAQs
I need a Letter Verifying my child qualifies for Free Meals
There are a few different programs- Comcast, T-mobile, Summer Camps that ask for a letter to verify your student qualifies for free and reduced meals. The attached letter can be used to verify enrollment in a District school and that all students qualify for free meals in the School District of Philadelphia Click here link to letter
How much does breakfast or lunch cost?
Students attending a School District of Philadelphia school are offered a breakfast and a lunch meal at no cost daily.
What do I need to fill out to be qualified for free or reduced priced meals this school year?
Families no longer need to fill out the meal application. All students in the District will be offered breakfast and lunch meals at no cost to the students. Teachers and Staff are still required to pay for meals.
My child cannot drink milk. Is there another option?
Lactaid milk is available in all schools at breakfast and lunch for children who are lactose intolerant. Students can also opt to choose juice when juice is on the menu. In addition, the school allows access to water at all meals per NSLP regulations.
Do your meals contain pork?
As a rule, the District does not menu pork. Items that are typically made with pork, such as sausage, ham, and pepperoni are made with turkey, beef, or chicken instead.
How can your meals be healthy with items like pizza, chicken nuggets, french toast sticks,and hotdogs?
Even though our menu items may sound like the popular restaurant versions, they are very different. Our meals are specially formulated to be lower in fat, sodium, and sugar, and higher in fiber to comply with federal school meals regulations. We use lean protein, and low-fat cheeses, and all our grains are whole grain-rich.
When you see pizza on the menu, it’s not your typical pizzeria pizza. Our version has a whole grain crust, ¼ cup of red/orange vegetable, and low-fat cheese.
Our nuggets, chicken products, and “fries” are baked, not fried, and all breading is whole grain. French toast sticks, a product jointly procured with members of the Urban School Food Alliance, have been improved to remove prohibited ingredients, lower the sugar content and provide more whole grains. Our hot dogs are made with lean beef, chicken, and turkey, and served on a whole-grain bun. All entrees are served with fruit, vegetables and low-fat or fat-free milk.
What items are prohibited in your foods and on your menu?
All Pork Products
MSG
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Artificial Flavors
Artificial Coloring
Artificial Sweeteners
Sugar Free Sweeteners
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Sugars > 6 gm/oz (dry cereals)
ADA
BHA
BHT
Lean Finely Textured Beef
Bromated Flour
Trans Fat
How can I have input to the menu?
visit www.philasd.nutrislice.com find your school, click on the breakfast, lunch or supper menu. locate what you ate in your cafeteria and click on it. Once you click on the star rating, a box will appear where you can also provide optional comments, your name and email address. Let us know what you like and what’s going right!