Food Service

Accounts & Payments

All students have a food service account that they can access using a unique PIN (personal identification number), which is the same as the password that students use in CCSD21’s computer systems, such as Google Apps for Education. Students should, and do, memorize their passwords/PINs, but should not share these with others.

MyMealTime

• Make online deposits (minimum $25)
• View account balance
• Set up low balance notifications
• View your child’s transactions
• Available via app (Apple | Android)

NEW! Apply for Free or Reduced-Price Meals Online

We’re excited to announce that families can now apply for free and reduced-price meal benefits online through our new platform, MyMealTimeApps.com.

This secure, easy-to-use website allows parents and guardians to complete meal benefit applications quickly and conveniently from any device, any time.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the Business Office at (847) 520-2706.

Cash or Check Deposits

Only cash or check deposits are accepted in schools. Checks should be made payable to “CCSD21” and your child’s food service PIN should be written in the memo section. Please place the check or cash in a sealed envelope and write your child’s name, teacher’s name and meal funds on the outside.

You may also combine deposits for multiple students! Please include instructions inside the envelope describing how the funds should be divided.

PLEASE NOTE: Lunch personnel CANNOT accept or disburse money in any form.

End of Year Balances:

Meal fund balances carry over to the following school year.

• Eighth Grade Students – Funds of eighth-grade students that have an account balance greater than $5 will be transferred to the oldest sibling enrolled in the district, if applicable; otherwise, a check will automatically be mailed to the parent or guardian.
• PK-Seventh Grade Students – If your student will not be attending District 21 the following school year, you may contact the Business Office at (847) 520-2706 to request a refund.

Apply for Free and Reduced Price Meals and Fee Waivers

CCSD21 takes part in the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs and your child may qualify for Free or Reduced Price meals. An income/household size eligibility guideline, generated and adjusted annually by the Federal Government, is published by the State and is used to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals for students. A new application must be submitted each school year. Free and Reduced Price Meal Applications submitted through MyMealtimeApps will be processed daily and benefits are applied immediately. Completed paper applications may be mailed to or dropped off at your student’s school or the Business Office (959 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling). Paper applications will be processed within 10 working days after submission.

In order to qualify as a meal under the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs, a breakfast must contain three (3) components and up to four (4) components, one of which may or may not be a milk. A lunch must contain at least three (3) components and up to five (5) components, one of which may or may not be a milk. If your child does not take the required servings at each meal, they will not qualify for a Free or Reduced Price meal and will be charged the full a la carte price for each item.

The district does not participate in the federally-funded Special Milk Program. Those students who qualify for Free or Reduced Price meals and do not take a qualified meal will be charged full price for milk.

Information on Reduced Price meals is available on the Food Service Pricing Guide.

Families that received communication that they were approved for the 2025-2026 school year via direct certification from the State are automatically enrolled and they DO NOT need to apply. If you believe your family may be eligible for the program, please complete the appropriate application for the school your child attends via the links below. Paper applications may be turned in to your child’s school or the CCSD21 Business Office (959 W. Dundee Road, Wheeling).

2025-2026 School Year Applications

Breakfast After the Bell

In addition to offering a traditional breakfast program prior to the start of the instructional day, all CCSD21 schools also offer breakfast after the bell.  Breakfast after the bell means breakfast is provided to students after the instructional day has officially begun.  All students are able to obtain a breakfast and are permitted to eat in either designated areas or the classroom.

Questions about the Breakfast After the Bell program should be directed to the CCSD21 Business Office at (847) 520-2706.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)

The Community Eligibility Provision is an opportunity under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs where schools can qualify to offer free breakfast and lunch meals to all students within that school.

Questions about CEP should be directed to the CCSD21 Business Office at 847-520-2706.

2025-2026 Qualifying CEP Schools

• Cooper Middle School
• Field Elementary School
• Frost Elementary School
• Hawthorne Early Childhood Center
• Holmes Middle School
• London Middle School
• Kilmer Elementary School
• Poe Elementary School
• Tarkington Elementary School
• Twain Elementary School
• Whitman Elementary School

District Wellness Policy

Schools participating in the National School Lunch Program and/or School Breakfast Program are required to have a local wellness policy for all participating sites under its jurisdiction.

Cooper Middle School

Field Elementary School

Frost Elementary School

Holmes Middle School

Kilmer Elementary School

London Middle School

Longfellow Elementary School

Poe Elementary School

Riley Elementary School

Tarkington Elementary School

Twain Elementary School

Whitman Elementary School

School Wellness Board Policy

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition Information
School District 21 and OrganicLife both place a high priority on the nutrition of CCSD21 students. Nutritional and allergen information of school meals can be viewed on Mealviewer (click here).  If your child has specific nutritional needs, please contact the nurse at your child’s school.

Allergies
If your child has specific needs related to allergies, please contact the nurse at your child’s school.

Menus

School District 21 and OrganicLife strive to provide as much variety as possible in its menus while remaining within the constraints of the National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs’ regulations.

Food menus can be accessed through:

MealViewer

• This offers our most up-to-date menus
• Displays nutritional and allergen information
• Available via app (Apple | Android)

Food Menu Web Page

• Menus are available in PDF format
• Subject to change

Seamless Summer lunch menus can be accessed via the Seamless Summer section on this webpage.

Food Service Price Guide

The Food Service Price Guide details the cost of items offered during school meals.

Seamless Summer

The Seamless Summer Lunch Program, a component of the National School Lunch Program, enables school districts to offer free, healthy meals throughout the summer to students and members of the public 18 years of age and younger.

Students participating in CCSD21-sponsored summer school or enrichment activities will receive a free lunch in class.

Monday, June 8, through Friday, August 7, 2026 (no service on June 19; July 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31)

Monday – Friday | 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

MENUS: SSO June

Any child in the community can visit the locations noted below.

• Alcott Center – 530 Bernard Drive, Buffalo Grove
• Chamber Park – 131 N Wolf Road, Wheeling
• Childerley Park – 506 McHenry Road, Wheeling
• Hawthorne Early Childhood Center – 200 Glendale Street, Wheeling
• Holmes Middle School – 221 South Wolf Road, Wheeling
• Indian Trails Public Library – 355 Schoenbeck Road, Wheeling
• Kilmer Elementary School – 655 Golfview Terrace, Buffalo Grove
• Kingswood United Methodist Church – 401 W. Dundee Road, Buffalo Grove
• Riley Elementary School – 1209 East Burr Oak Drive, Arlington Heights
• Tarkington Elementary School – 310 Scott Street, Wheeling
• Twain Elementary School Park – 515 East Merle Lane, Wheeling
• Whippletree Playground – 525 North McHenry Road, Wheeling
• Whitman Elementary School – 133 South Wille Avenue, Wheeling
• Willow Trails Park – 1 Apple Drive, Prospect Heights
• Windsor Ridge Park – 780 Vernon Lane, Buffalo Grove

Summer EBT-SunBucks

The Summer EBT/SUN Bucks program provides families a $120 annual benefit ($40/month for June through August) for each eligible school-aged child and aims to ensure that children from eligible families have continued access to nutritious meals during the summer break when school meal programs are not available. An income/household size eligibility guideline, generated and adjusted annually by the Federal Government, is published by the State and is used to determine eligibility. There are no citizenship requirements and summer EBT is not considered under the public charge rule.

This program is in addition to the Seamless Summer initiative we implement across Community Consolidated School District 21.

Here’s how it works:

1. Families complete the appropriate application.
2. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the application, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) will review the submitted applications and identify whether your child is eligible.
3. A Summer EBT Screener is available online.  Under the district dropdown menu select Wheeling CCSD 21.  All families expecting to receive Summer EBT benefits are encouraged to check if they need to provide additional information and to review their address on file.
4. Families who qualify will receive an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, commonly known as the SUN Bucks card in the mail, along with information on how to use it and a list of eligible food items. Beginning in April 2025, families that are determined eligible for Summer EBT will receive an Initial Notice of Eligibility for Summer EBT Benefits.  The letter will include detailed information such as the names of eligible children, approved amount, and the availability of the issuances. Cards may arrive in an unmarked envelope so please be on the lookout. Keep that card, as future SUN Bucks benefits may be loaded to that card for each student.
5. Summer EBT issuances are planned to begin May 19-26, 2025 for children that are automatically enrolled.  IDHS will continue to identify eligible children and will issue Summer EBT benefits to these children as identified.  These funds can be used to purchase eligible food items at authorized retailers, including grocery stores and farmers’ markets.  Benefits must be used within four (4) months of issuance.  Any remaining balances will not be available after 122 days from when the funds are loaded to the card.

Below please find the application for the 2025 Summer EBT Program.  The last day to submit an application for the summer 2025 benefits is August 13, 2025.

• Apply for Summer EBT Program

Families that wish to opt out of the program can do so by using the Summer EBT General Inquiry Request.

Community Consolidated School District 21 aims to ensure all students have access to nutritious meals while managing the financial sustainability of the school meal program. This policy applies to all students who do not have funds to pay for a meal at the time of service.

Policy on Meal Charging

Students will never be denied a meal for breakfast and lunch.  When any student has a negative balance on their Mealtime account, charging of a second meal or any ala carte will not be allowed.

Notification Procedures

Notices will be mailed monthly to the parent/guardian of every student who has a negative balance on their Mealtime account.  We ask that when the unpaid meal balance letter is received, that money is sent with the student the following day or deposited into their online MyMealtime.com account.  Students must have an adequate balance on their account to cover the purchase of a second meal or ala carte items.

Collection of Delinquent Debt

Parents/guardians are responsible for all meal debts.

The district will work with families to set up repayment plans. They should contact Cindy Kile, Food Services Coordinator, at (847) 520-2706.

All charges not paid before the end of the school year will be carried forward into the next school year.

If a graduating eighth grader has a negative meal balance on their meal account and has a sibling in the district, the negative balance may be transferred over to the sibling’s account.

Communication of Policy

This policy will be posted on District 21’s website, MyMealtime.com and electronically distributed through ParentSquare. Staff will also receive annual training on this policy.

Implementation and Responsibilities

• Food Service Staff: Responsible for tracking balances and notifying the building principal.
• Building Principal: Responsible for communicating with families to resolve debt.
• District Office: Responsible for final collection effort.

> How can my student purchase food in the lunch room?

Meals are purchased in the lunch room using a PIN (personal identification number) that is unique to each student. Please note that the lunch room cashiers can neither accept nor disburse money in any form.

> How do I add funds to my student’s food service account?

You can make online deposits, check balances, and monitor your child’s meal activity through the MyMealTime platform. To get started, please sign in on the right side of this page using your credentials. If you’d prefer to send payment by check or cash, please make checks payable to CCSD21, write your student’s food service PIN in the memo line, place the payment in a sealed envelop and clearly write your student’s full name and teacher’s name on the outside, and ensure the envelope is handed to your child’s teacher. For questions or to check your balance by phone, please contact the Business Office at (847) 520-2706.

> How much money may I add to my student’s account?

If making a deposit via MyMealTime, the minimum deposit amount is $25 with no maximum amount. There is no limit to how much money you may add to your student’s account by check or cash.

> How do I know when I need to deposit more money into my student’s account?

Through MyMealTime, parents can select to receive an email notification when the student’s balance falls below a certain dollar threshold.

> If I have two or more students who attend District 21, may I write one check for both?

You may combine your deposits for multiple students. In addition to their names and PINs, please be sure to include instructions inside the envelope describing how the funds should be divided.

> What if there is money in my student’s account at the end of the year?

If your student is continuing his or her education with District 21 the following school year, the balance remaining in their account will carry over. If your student is being promoted from eighth grade and has an account balance greater than $5.00, the balance will be transferred to the oldest sibling enrolled in the district, if applicable; otherwise, a check will automatically be mailed to the parent or guardian. If your student is not exiting eighth grade and will not be attending School District 21 the following school year, you may contact the Business Office at 847-520-2706 in order to receive a refund.

> My child attends Longfellow and/or Riley.  What is the procedure to apply for the Free and Reduced-Price Meal Program?

Free and Reduced applications can be submitted online through MyMealTimeApps. Applications submitted online are approved daily ensuring benefits are applied immediately. Free and Reduced Price Meal Program applications are also available to print in English, Spanish, Polish and Russian or can be obtained from the school office or the Business Office located at the Community Service Center and Administrative Office (959 West Dundee Road, Wheeling). Applications must be submitted each school year regardless of past participation. If a student participated in the Program during the previous school year, parents or guardians have 30 days from the start of the new school year to submit their application. If the application has not been submitted within 30 days, the student will be removed from the Free and Reduced Price Meal Program and will be charged regular price for meals until an application is submitted and approved.

> My child attends one of the following schools: Cooper, Field, Frost, Hawthorne, Holmes, Kilmer, London, Poe, Tarkington, Twain and/or Whitman.  What is the procedure to apply for a Fee Waiver?

All students that attend these schools are eligible to receive a free breakfast and a free lunch. Fee waiver applications are available to print in English, Spanish, Polish and Russian or can be obtained from the school office or the CCSD21 Business Office located at the District 21 Community Service Center and Administrative Office (959 West Dundee Road, Wheeling). Applications must be submitted each school year regardless of past participation. If a student participated in the Program during the previous school year, parents or guardians have 30 days from the start of the new school year to submit their application. If the application has not been submitted within 30 days, the student will be removed from the Fee Waiver Program and will be charged regular price for fees until an application is submitted and approved.

> What constitutes a reimbursable meal?

A reimbursable breakfast consists of a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of four (4) available items. Below are two examples of a reimbursable breakfast:

Example A

• Half cup fruit (one component – fruit)
• Milk (one component – milk)
• Entree (one or two components)

Example B

• Two half cups of fruit (two components – fruit)
• Cereal (one component – grain)
• Milk (one component – milk)

In order to qualify for a reimbursable lunch, students must take a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) components to quality, and one of the components must be a half cup of fruit or vegetable. Below are two examples of a reimbursable lunch:

Example A

• Half cup vegetable (one component – vegetable)
• Milk (one component – milk)
• Hamburger (two components – grain and meat)

Example B

• Half cup fruit (one component – fruit)
• Half cup vegetable (one component – vegetable)
• Milk (one component – milk)

> My student receives Free or Reduced Price Meal benefits.  Can they obtain Free or Reduced Price milk if they bring a meal from home?

District 21 does not participate in the federally-funded Special Milk Program. State and Federal guidelines stipulate that in order to receive the benefit of a Free or Reduced Price meal, a student must take a full meal. If your student does not take all of the required meal components they will be charged the a la carte price for any food they take.

> Is my student allowed to have an additional serving?

Additional servings are available to all students however, please note that they are not included in the State’s Free and Reduced Price Meal Program. All students must pay regular price for additional servings.