Food Service Frequently Asked Questions

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?
By using the Mealtime website, deposits can be made online to your child’s account. Alternatively, deposits may be made using check or cash. If payment is made by check, it should be made payable to CCSD21 and your student’s food service PIN should be written in the memo section. Place the check or cash in a sealed envelope and write, on the outside of the envelope, your student’s name and his or her teacher’s name. The envelope should be given to your student’s teacher by you or your student. Balance inquiries can be made through the Mealtime website or by contacting the CCSD21 Business Office.

How much money may I add to my student’s account?
If making a deposit in 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 selected 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 School District 21 the following school year, the balance remaining in their account will carry over. If your student is being promoted from 8th 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 8th 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 one of the following schools: Cooper, Hawthorne, Longfellow, Poe 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 MyMealtime. 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 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 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: Field, Frost, Holmes, Kilmer, London, 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 please find two examples of a reimbursable breakfast:

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

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