Food Service

Welcome to the 2022-23 school year! Please see below for important information about District 97’s food service program, including information on the free and reduced meal eligibility and application process, accessing student meal accounts through the “My Mealtime” online portal, and 2022-23 breakfast and lunch menus.

For the past two years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has made it possible for school districts to serve all students free breakfast and lunch through waivers due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The USDA free meal waiver is now expired and will not be extended for the upcoming school year. 

NOTE: During the 2022-23 school year, all students will be required to pay for their breakfast and lunch meals unless they are directly approved by the State of Illinois or approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (see below).

2022-23 Breakfast and Lunch Menus

During the 2022-23 school year, students can:

2022-23 Breakfast and Lunch Prices

Elementary Schools

Breakfast: $1.75 Full Price  
$.30 reduced priced 
Lunch: $2.80 Full Price
$.40 Reduced Price

Middle Schools:

Breakfast: $1.75 Full Price         
$.30 Reduced price                               
Lunch: $ 3.00 Full Price
 $.40 Reduced Price

Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility and Application

Students may receive meals at a free or reduced cost either by being directly approved by the State of Illinois OR being approved after completing the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application. All families who are directly approved by the state will receive an approval letter by email. If you feel your student may qualify for free or reduced priced meals but are not directly approved, we encourage you to complete the 2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application as soon as possible. There are several options for completing and submitting your application (see below).

2022-23 Free and Reduced Lunch Application (English and Spanish)

Submit Your Application Online

Filling out and submitting a Free and Reduced Meal Application is a quick and easy two-step process when you use Mealtime Apply Online! Click here for step-by-step instructions on how to set up a Mealtime account and complete the online application.

Step 1: Create a profile (you will need your student ID#).

  • Visit www.mymealtime.com/apps.
  • If you already have a Mealtime account, you can access the application from there—just log in. 

Step 2:  Start your application.

  • Click the "New Application" button.
  • From the Mealtime account, click the orange banner or box.

Paper/PDF Applications

For those parents who do not have access to a computer, or those who prefer not to use the online system, paper applications (available in English and Spanish) are available to download from the district website or your student’s school website. You can also ask for one at any of the school offices or at the district office. Only one application per household, per school district is needed. Completed applications can be dropped off at your student’s school or the district office (260 Madison St.), or emailed to the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at [email protected]. You can also fax the application to 708-524-3019.

Questions

If you have any questions, please reach out to the district's food service coordinator, Carla Ellis, at [email protected].