Pennsbury Food Service Question and Answer 2025-2026
The Nutrition Group receives many questions from students, parents, and guardians about the food service program at Pennsbury School District. We hope this Q & A helps to answer some of your questions. As always, please continue sending your questions or comments to: Ashley Dowd, Director of Food and Nutrition, at [email protected]. To reach our food service office please call: (215) 428-4100 ext. 22201
Q: How do I apply for free or reduced meals?
A: Please go to www.schoolcafe.com/pennsbury and create an account. If you have an existing account, please log in and fill in your credentials. Continue to follow the instructions to fill out a free/reduced meal application. This application will need to be completed each school year. Breakfast is free for all students for the 2025-2026 school year, regardless of financial status.
Q: How do I add money onto my School Café account?
A: Students can bring cash or a personal check directly to our cafeteria staff. You can also add money to your student’s account by logging into your SchoolCafe account at www.schoolcafe.com/pennsbury and using the credit card feature. There is a small fee for this service that is charged by SchoolCafe.
Q: How will I be notified if my student has an outstanding balance on their School Café account?
A: Balances can be viewed online on the SchoolCafé website. In addition, negative balance reminders will be sent out monthly via email or mailed to the address you have on file with the district. In addition, School Café allows you to set up low balance alerts.
Q: Who do I make a cafeteria check payment to?
A: Personal checks should be made payable to: “Pennsbury Dining Services.” Please include your students’ name and ID number in the comment section.
Q: Is my student permitted to hand deliver a check for their cafeteria account?
A: Yes. Students can bring a personal check to the cafeteria cashier during breakfast or lunch service. Be sure to label the envelope and include your student’s name and ID number on the check.
Q: How can I view breakfast and lunch menus?
A: Menus can be found on the district website under food services or at Pennsbury.nutrislice.com. Also, you can find them on the Nutrislice app, which can be found in the app store/play store on your mobile device.
Q: How do I add a restriction to my student’s cafeteria account?
A: You can add restrictions to your student’s account by logging into SchoolCafe at www.schoolcafe.com/pennsbury. You can adjust the restrictions as needed. For example: You can restrict your student from charging snacks on their account but can allow them to use cash instead. If you have a specific restriction, please reach out to the food service department and we can make that adjustment for you.
Q: How can I ensure my student does not consume a food product they are allergic to?
A: Parents/Guardians send allergies and dietary restrictions to the school nurse at the beginning of the school year. The school nurse sends that information directly to The Nutrition Group. It is then noted in the student’s lunch account on SchoolCafe. When the student enters their account number to buy a meal/snack, our point-of-sale system alerts us of allergies listed. We then check the student’s meal to be sure they do not have their allergen or specific restricted food on their tray. In addition, our online menus list allergen information.
Q: My student has food restrictions that were given by a medical doctor. Can you provide a meal specifically for my child’s needs?
A: Yes. A medical professional is required to complete a medical plan of care for school food service. Once the medical form is complete, we will work with our dietitian to develop your students’ specific needs. The medical form is found under the food service department tab on the Pennsbury School District website.
Q: What are the snack guidelines for the district?
A: The district participates in the NSLP, National School Lunch Program, and follows the guidelines set for “Smart Snacks.” Below are links to the Smart Snack guidelines and nutritional values.
A Guide to Smart Snacks in School
Nutrition Facts for Snacks
A list of snack items that we offer can be found on the Pennsbury website under the food services tab click ‘Nutritional Facts for Snacks’. In addition, snack prices are listed on the right side of our lunch menus on the menu website but not on the app.
Q: What are the 2025-26 meal prices?
A: All Pennsbury students are eligible to receive a FREE breakfast for the entire 25-26 school year.
Lunch Prices:
Elementary Lunch $2.65
Middle School Lunch $2.85
High School Lunch $3.25
Q: Can I transfer money from one of my student’s School Cafe accounts to another?
A: Yes. Please send your request to: [email protected]. Be sure to include both students full names, lunch account numbers, and the specific amount of money you would like to transfer to and from. Please note you cannot transfer funds through the SchoolCafé app.
Q: How can I apply to work for The Nutrition Group?
A: The Nutrition Group is hiring: Clink the link and search “Pennsbury” for current opportunities. Please visit our website, at www.tngcareers.com. Click ‘Hourly Career Portal’ at bottom of page then search ‘Pennsbury.