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Culinary Services

Culinary Services Meal Services for SPS Students

Starting in Fall of 2026, One Free Breakfast and One Free Lunch For Every Student, Every Day, in Every School. 

Every day SPS offers a nutritionally balanced breakfast and lunch for our students!

Every student/family should complete the CNEEB form .

About Culinary Services

Our Mission: To build a nutritional foundation with the diverse knowledge and practical skills necessary to thrive beyond graduation. We strive to enrich students’ lives by exposing them to culturally relevant cuisine through immersive culinary experiences.

Our Vision: To empower students to enhance their academic performance and overall health by fostering lifelong habits of making informed and healthy food choices.

Free Meals for Students

Starting in fall 2026, Seattle Public Schools offers free student meals through two different programs:

Schools with City-Funded Free Meals  

Starting in fall of 2026, Universal Free Meals have been approved at the designated Seattle Public Schools sites thanks to partnership with the City of Seattle.  

At the following schools, the one breakfast and one lunch each school day are provided at no cost through partnership with the City of Seattle: 

  • Adams Elementary School 
  • Alki Elementary School 
  • Arbor Heights Elementary School 
  • B.F. Day Elementary School 
  • Ballard High School 
  • Blaine K-8 School 
  • Bryant Elementary School 
  • Cascadia Elementary School 
  • Cascade Parent Partnership 
  • Center School 
  • Coe Elementary School 
  • Daniel Bagley Elementary School 
  • Decatur Elementary School 
  • Eckstein Middle School 
  • Fairmount Park Elementary School 
  • Gatewood Elementary School 
  • Genesee Hill Elementary School 
  • Greenwood Elementary School 
  • Hamilton Middle School 
  • Hawthorne Elementary School 
  • Hazel Wolf K-8 School 
  • Ingraham High School 
  • Jane Addams Middle School 
  • John Hay Elementary School 
  • John Stanford Elementary School 
  • Lafayette Elementary School 
  • Lawton Elementary School 
  • Lincoln High School 
  • Loyal Heights Elementary School 
  • Madison Middle School 
  • Magnolia Elementary School 
  • McClure Middle School 
  • McDonald Elementary School 
  • McGilvra Elementary School 
  • Montlake Elementary School 
  • Nathan Hale High School 
  • North Beach Elementary School 
  • NOVA High School 
  • Pathfinder K-8 School 
  • Queen Anne Elementary School 
  • Robert Eagle Staff Middle School 
  • Roosevelt High School 
  • Salmon Bay K-8 School 
  • Thornton Creek Elementary School 
  • TOPS K-8 School 
  • View Ridge Elementary School 
  • Wedgwood Elementary School 
  • West Seattle High School 
  • West Woodland Elementary School 
  • Whitman Middle School 
  • Whittier Elementary School 
Community Eligibility Provision Schools 

At Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools, all students receive one breakfast and one  lunch each school day at no cost through the federal CEP program for the 2026-27 school year. 

  • Aki Kurose Middle 
  • Alan T. Sugiyama High 
  • Bailey Gatzert Elementary 
  • Beacon Hill Elementary  
  • Broadview-Thomson K-8 
  • Cedar Park – new CEP site 
  • Chief Sealth High 
  • Cleveland High 
  • Concord Elementary 
  • Dearborn Park Elementary 
  • Denny Middle 
  • Dunlap Elementary 
  • Emerson Elementary 
  • Franklin High 
  • Garfield High 
  • Graham Hill Elementary 
  • Green Lake Elementary  
  • Highland Park Elementary 
  • IA Columbia School, 1418 Re-Engagement 
  • IA Queen Anne 
  • IA SW 
  • IA UDYC 
  • James Baldwin Elementary 
  • John Muir Elementary 
  • John Rogers Elementary 
  • Kimball Elementary 
  • Laurelhurst Elementary  
  • Leschi Elementary 
  • Licton Springs K-8 
  • Lowell Elementary 
  • Louisa Boren STEM K-8  
  • Madrona Elementary 
  • Maple Elementary 
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary 
  • Meany Middle 
  • Mercer International Middle 
  • Middle College – SU 
  • Middle College – UW 
  • Olympic Hills Elementary 
  • Olympic View Elementary 
  • Orca K-8 
  • Rainier Beach High 
  • Rainier View Elementary 
  • Rising Star Elementary 
  • Roxhill Elementary 
  • Sacajawea Elementary  
  • Sand Point Elementary 
  • Sanislo Elementary 
  • Seattle World School 
  • South Shore K-8 
  • Stevens Elementary  
  • Thurgood Marshall Elementary 
  • Viewlands Elementary 
  • Washington Middle 
  • West Seattle Elementary 
  • Wing Luke Elementary 

Complete the CNEEB Form Every Year 

Every family should complete the Child Nutrition Education and Benefits (CNEEB) application. 100% completion gives us the best data to support our district.  

The form may qualify students for benefits such as meal assistance, reduced fees, and other programs.   

If a family does not qualify or does not want to provide income information, they can simply check the new box under “Decline Benefits.”   

Submitting a response helps SPS maintain complete and accurate data which helps us maximize funding.  

Complete data helps schools receive funding and resources that support students.  

Learn more about how to apply!

What Constitutes a Complete Meal? 

To receive a free meal at no cost, students must select at least three of the five meal components (fruit, vegetable, grain, meat/meat alternate, milk), including at least ½ cup of fruits and/or vegetables. Meals that do not meet the USDA minimum meal requirements will be charged at à la carte pricing. 

À La Carte Items 

The following items are not included as part of the CEP or Universal Free Meal program and will be charged to the student’s meal account: 

  • Second meals 
  • Additional entrées 
  • Additional side items (including milk) 
  • Snacks 
  • Beverages 

Important Information 

  • CEP Sites and Universal Free Meals benefits apply to students only. 
  • Adults and visitors will continue to be charged according to the established meal pricing schedule. 
  • À la carte purchases and extra items remain the responsibility of the student and will be charged accordingly. 

Paying for Student Meals

While all students qualify to receive free meals, charges may still occur for items purchased outside of the free meal benefit. Culinary Services offers convenient payment options for these purchases, including online payment, check, or cash.

Additional Items and Second Meals 

Students will be charged à la carte prices when they:

  • Take extra items such as milk, fruit, vegetables, or other side items 
  • Purchase a second breakfast or second lunch 
  • Select only a single item from a meal instead of taking a complete reimbursable meal 

If a student takes only one component of a meal, that item is charged at the published à la carte price. 

For these reasons, we strongly recommend that students maintain funds in their meal account to cover any additional purchases. 

Families may add money to student meal accounts through MySchoolBucks or by payment at their school. 

2026-27 Meal Prices

One Breakfast + One Lunch FREE Each School Day

All students receive one complete breakfast and one complete lunch at no cost each school day.

The free meal benefit is for students only and does not cover second meals, additional entrées, milk purchased separately, or à la carte items.

Additional Items and Second Meals for Students

Grades K-5:

  • Breakfast: $2.25
  • Lunch: $3.80
  • Milk: $0.75

Grades 6-12:

  • Breakfast: $2.50
  • Lunch: $4.05
  • Milk: $0.75

Adults/Visitors:

  • Breakfast: $5.75
  • Lunch: $7.50
  • Milk: $1.00
Paying Online

Student meals can be paid for with a credit card online at MySchoolBucks.

MySchoolBucks requires the Student’s ID number to create an account.  The Student ID number can be found on report cards or by accessing The Source.

MySchoolBucks charges users a $3.25 fee for credit/debit card meal payments and $2.49 for electronic check meal payments for a maximum payment limit of $150 per transaction.

The fee will not be applied multiple times within the same transaction when a parent is paying for multiple students. This will allow families of two or more students to make payments up to $400 in one transaction (or even $600 dollars if they have 3 students).

Paying with Check or Cash

Culinary Services offers a variety of convenient ways to pay for school meals. Checks and cash are accepted by the school’s lunchroom manager either as a pre-paid deposit to a student’s account or for purchasing individual meals, milk, or other à la carte items. Checks should be made payable to Culinary Services.

Families are also encouraged to work with the lunchroom manager at their child’s school to discuss paying for meals, how to apply for school meal benefits, menus, etc.

Student Account Refunds, Transfers, and Donations 

If you would like to request a refund, transfer, or donation of your student’s account funds, please complete the Refund/Transfer/Donate Request Form and submit it through Let’s Talk for processing.

Student Meal Charge Policy

Student Meal Charge Policy and Payment Expectations

Seattle Public Schools is committed to providing nutritious meals to all students. However, we expect all families and students to fulfill their obligation to pay for meals prior to purchase. Any outstanding debt on a student’s meal account will be pursued by the district.

Learn more about the SPS student meal charge policy and payment expectations

Food Allergies and Special Diet Requests

Food Allergies and Special Diet Requests
English Diet Prescription Form
Spanish Diet Prescription Form
Chinese Diet prescription Form

Forms may also be requested by contacting Culinary Services main office at 206-252-0675. The Diet Prescription Form must be submitted to your student’s school nurse to ensure that proper foods are provided.

Under federal regulations, a Diet Prescription must be completed by a Licensed Physician (when identifying a disability such as a life threatening food allergy or diabetes) or a Recognized Medical Authority (RMA) when identifying a non-disabling medical condition such as a food intolerance. For Diet Prescription purposes, a RMA includes a Licensed Physician, Doctor of Osteopathy, Licensed Physician’s Assistant, ARNP or Licensed Naturopathic Physician.

Personal or religious food preferences such as vegan, vegetarian or halal, do not meet the definition of a disabling or non-disabling medical condition for which a special school meal will be provided. Families and students are encouraged to become familiar with the school meal menu to identify days in which these menu options are readily available. See school menus.

If your child requires a special diet consideration:

  1. Please complete the diet prescription form
  2. Have form signed by your family’s doctor, a licensed physician, or a recognized medical authority
  3. Send the completed form to your student’s school nurse

For more information: OSPI Reference Sheet
English – OSPI Reference Sheet
Spanish – OSPI Reference Sheet
Chinese – OSPI Reference Sheet

Culinary Services Career Opportunities

Culinary Services Careers
Culinary Services Careers

Learn more about career opportunities for kitchen staff and lunchroom managers.

SPS Careers

Contact Culinary Services

We understand that concerns, questions, comments, and feedback may arise throughout the school year and know that your input helps our team get closer towards meeting our goals; so we have started using the Culinary Services Contact Form for a quick and easy way to communicate with you!

Culinary Services Contact Form

Discrimination Complaint Procedure

Procedure for Handling Complaints of Discrimination

Complaints of discrimination should contain as much of the following information as possible:

  1. Name, address, email address, and telephone number or other means of containing the complainant.
  2. The specific location and name of the entity providing the benefits.
  3. A description of a specific action that caused the complainant to believe that discrimination was a factor.
  4. Basis on which a complainant feels that discrimination occurred (race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation to prior civil rights activity).
  5. Names and titles, if known, and addresses of persons who may have knowledge of the discriminatory action.
  6. The date(s) of the alleged discriminatory actions occurred or the duration of such action.


Complaints of discrimination must be filed within 180 days of the alleged discrimination.

Complaints of discrimination should be given to the Chief Nutrition Officer of Child Nutrition Services, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. Chief Nutrition Officer will forward to the Food & Nutrition Service, Western Regional Office, San Francisco.

Complaints of discrimination may be written or verbal. Use of a form is not required for a person filing a complaint. If a person is unwilling, unable, or not inclined to put the complaint in writing, the person taking the complaint shall do so.

Civil Rights Complaint Form

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA

Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: , from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. fax:
    833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or
  3. email:
    Program.Intake@usda.gov
    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Non-Discrimination Statement

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement for Child Nutrition Programs

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online or from any USDA office, by calling 866-632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1.    mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2.    fax:
833-256-1665 or 202-690-7442; or

3.    email:
program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Para todos los demás programas de asistencia de nutrición del FNS, agencias estatales o locales y sus subreceptores, deben publicar la siguiente Declaración de No Discriminación:

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y las normas y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de los Estados Unidos (USDA), esta entidad está prohibida de discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo (incluyendo identidad de género y orientación sexual), discapacidad, edad, o represalia o retorsión por actividades previas de derechos civiles.

La información sobre el programa puede estar disponible en otros idiomas que no sean el inglés. Las personas con discapacidades que requieren medios alternos de comunicación para obtener la información del programa (por ejemplo, Braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lenguaje de señas americano (ASL), etc.) deben comunicarse con la agencia local o estatal responsable de administrar el programa o con el Centro TARGET del USDA al 202-720-2600 (voz y TTY) o comuníquese con el USDA a través del Servicio Federal de Retransmisión al 800-877-8339.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación en el programa, el reclamante debe llenar un formulario AD-3027, formulario de queja por discriminación en el programa del USDA, el cual puede obtenerse en línea en. al 866-632-9992, o escribiendo una carta dirigida a USDA. La carta debe contener el nombre del demandante, la dirección, el número de teléfono y una descripción escrita de la acción discriminatoria alegada con suficiente detalle para informar al Subsecretario de Derechos Civiles (ASCR) sobre la naturaleza y fecha de una presunta violación de derechos civiles. El formulario AD-3027 completado o la carta debe presentarse a USDA por:

(1) correo:

U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

(2) fax:

833-256-1665 o 202-690-7442; o

(3) correo electrónico:

program.intake@usda.gov

Esta entidad es un proveedor que brinda igualdad de oportunidades.

Any person having inquiries should contact:

English
If you need this information in another language, please call 206-743-3549.

Chinese (simplified)
如果您需要此信息的其他语言版本，请致电 206-743-3549

Somali
Haddii aad u baahan tahay xogtaan oo ku qoran luuqad kale, fadlan wac 206-743-3549

Spanish
Si necesita esta información en otro idioma, llame al 206-743-3549

Vietnamese
Nếu quý vị cần thông tin này bằng ngôn ngữ khác, vui lòng gọi số 206-743-3549

Amahric

ይህን መረጃ በሌላ ቋንቋ ከፈለጉ፣ እባክዎ ወደ 206-743-3549 ይደውሉ።