Food Services
FAQs

What is considered a "meal" for my child?

Zahnow Elementary is the only school cafeteria that takes the guess work out of selecting a meal.  These student select their drink and entree and are then provide the other side items offer for the day.  Our other 3 buildings allow your child more independence in selecting their meals.  We accomplish this through the Offer vs. Serve meal planning system.  Your child must be offered all 5 of the food components required by the State of Illinois under the School Lunch Program, but need only to select 3 to be counted as a "lunch".  At breakfast they must be exposed to 4 components and take 3.  We operate under the Enhanced Meal Planning option.  
NOTE:  Each school offers low fat/skim milk and 100% fruit juice at each meal.
Rogers Elementary offers a garden salad each day with salad bar toppings.
Both the High School and the Jr. High School offer a fresh salad bar each day!

Does the Waterloo School District offer Free and Reduced priced meals?

Yes!  A family may apply for the Free and Reduced Meal Program at any time during the school year.  Applications are available at any school office and also from the Cafeteria Director.  A new application must be completed each year ( Free & Reduced Application ).  A written notice of eligibility will be sent to you at the address you have provided on the application.  Please remember to include either a correct Foodstamp case ID number or income with an adult signature and social security number.  These items are essential in processing your application quickly.  There are exceptions....please read the directions for the application carefully.  If the State of Illinois has provided you with a "Direct Certification Letter" then you DO NOT need to complete an application.  This letter is required for each student who would be receiving benefits from this program.

How secure is my child's lunch account? 

Each one of our students is identify by our cashiers via a unique student ID number - or at Zahnow, by a student PIN number.  Only your child has this particular number and will have this number until they leave our district.  As an added security feature, our computerized system has the ability to show your child's Lifetouch photo on the computer screen when they use their ID number.  Please ask your children not to share this number with anyone.  When accessing your child's account via Cafeprepay, this will also be the number you would use to view account information.

How safe are the meals at school? 

The most important job we do in the cafeteria is provide your child with the safest, nutritious and most enjoyable meals possible.  The State requires that there be someone on staff at all times in each kitchen who is certified in Foodservice Sanitation.  Our cafeterias are also inspected two times each year by the  Bi-county Health Department.  The inspection report for each building must be displayed to the public and may be view upon request.
The foods we serve, their portions and the combinations in which they are offered in each building, is dictated by the State of Illinois.   We are always interested in your comments/suggestions.