The United States Congress created the school lunch program in 1946 to safeguard the health and well being of our nation's children.  School Town of Munster lunches meet the dietary guidelines set by USDA and provide 1/3 of the recommended dietary allowances for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C.

Food Service Mission Statement:  To serve a nutritious, attractive school lunch according to the National School Lunch Program guidelines in a friendly, timely manner at a reasonable cost for all.   Our self-supporting department serves an average of 3100 lunches daily.    This page last updated:  June 22, 2009.

• ONLINE PAYMENT AVAILABLE: A new program allows parents to pay for school meals online using a MasterCard or Visa credit card through www.PayForIt.net.   An Internet Convenience Fee is charged with each transaction and is displayed separately when you process your transaction.  Parents must first register for an account and then can link numerous students to that account.  Parents do not have to make deposits through a charge card to receive the benefits below.  Lunch account deposits can still be made by check in the the cafeteria.  TO SET UP AN ACCOUNT ALL YOU NEED IS: 

• A valid email address, a Visa or MasterCard credit card, your student's correct name spelling as registered at school and their identification number

• BENEFITS TO PARENTS:  

• Parents may check an account balance on line at any time and they may request an activity report to see what a child has eaten in the last 30 days. An account allows parents to request email reminders when an account gets below a certain  balance. All accounts are safe and secure.  Deposits can take up to 24 hrs. to reach a students account. Please plan ahead.

• TO REGISTER:  Visit   www.PayForIt.net

 LUNCH PRICING FOR:  2009-2010

                        Elementary                            $1.75                                Breakfast @ EADS & Elliott     $1.00
                        Wilbur Wright Middle School    1.90                                Breakfast @ WWMS                $1.20
                        Munster High School                2.00                                Breakfast @ MHS                   $1.25
                        Adult Lunch                             2.60                       
                        Milk                                           .50                                Reduced Price Breakfast        .15

                       Reduced Lunch @ elementary .30 and secondary .40 .                                                                                                                
                       Second Lunch cost = .25 additional per lunch ($2.00, $2.15, $2.25)                                                          Food Service receives federal and state financial assistance for one meal per student per day only.  The Federal government estimates it costs $2.57 to produce a student lunch in 2008-09.

Debit Account/ Pre-payment System
All School Town of Munster cafeterias utilize a pre-pay/debit system.  This helps process student purchases, speeds lunch lines and reduces cash handling at each school.  Parents may view lunch account balances at any time through the student's on-line Power School record.  Money left in accounts will be held over the summer for the next school year.   Deposits are best made by check, putting student's full name, grade and lunch on memo part of check. 

After 5 lunch charges elementary and middle school students will be given an "ALTERNATIVE LUNCH MEAL" (Cold cheese Sandwich/Fruit Cup/Milk) until their account returns to the Positive Balance.  It is the parent's and student's responsibility to watch lunch account balances. The school messenger system will call all lunch accounts once they reach a negative 2.00 balance to keep parents informed.  All charging stops May 12, 2010.  Lunch Account Rules are posted in each cafeteria and listed in the handbook.

Free and Reduced Price Meals
We accept applications for free/reduced price meals all year long.  A new application must be filled out each year for benefits to continue.  Only one application per household is necessary.  Applications are available in every school office or call Food Service at 836-3204.  Applications approved last year will carry over for the first 30 days of school or until a new application has been processed.  Food services receives federal and state financial assistance for student meals and the School Town of Munster receives state assistance for textbook fees as well as grant dollars for other educational programs based on approved applications.  Students approved for meal assistance will utilize their lunch account in the same manner as other students, thereby eliminating overt identification.  All information is confidential.   

Textbook Assistance/Other Benefits
Families use the same reduced price meal application for textbook assistance or other benefits.  Please submit this application to the Food Service Office at MHS.    All applications must be fully completed, signed for lunch and/or textbook assistance before they can be processed.