The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding for school meals through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. To receive this funding, schools must serve meals that meet federal requirements for meal patterns, nutrient content, and portion sizes—these are called reimbursable meals. SMSD Student Nutrition Services participates in these USDA programs to provide nutritious meals to students. Click here to learn more about our menus.

Student Nutrition Services uses School Cafe for posting menus, nutrient and ingredient/allergen information.  Click here to learn more information on how to use School Cafe to view menus.

View Meal Price and Payment information here

Does your child have a food allergy?  View Meal Modification Information 

Why apply for Free & Reduced Priced Meals?

Filling out the Free and Reduced Lunch application helps with more than meals.  Applying and qualifying can benefit families and students across Shawnee Mission School District in multiple ways.  

• Instructional Fees - Eligible families may receive free/reduced instructional resources and Pre-K enrollment fees.
• School Funding - Increased state and federal money for staff and school resources at your child's school.
• Transportation - Families may qualify for free/reduced transportation.  
• Discounts - Discounts on college application fees and on SAT, ACT and AP testing fees.
• Pre-K Enrollment - Eligible families may receive free/reduced Pre-K enrollment fees.

Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are available. Please note the 2025-2026 paper application will not be accepted.

Apply online for meal benefits on the SchoolCafe website.   Multiple languages available online - Families must apply annually for meal benefits.

View Instructions on using SchoolCafe here

View Free & Reduced Information Page Here

Completing the Consent for Disclosure form allows Student Nutrition Services to share your student's meal benefit status (free or reduced) with other departments such as Transportation and School Secretaries. Click to access the online Consent for Disclosure Form.

If unable to apply online, a paper child nutrition meal benefit application can be completed and mailed to Student Nutrition Services.  Click here to access the Free & Reduced Meals web page for the paper application.

Contact the Student Nutrition Services office at (913) 993-9710 or email - studentnutrition@smsd.org

How to Find Meal Benefit Notification Letters in SchoolCafé

Parents and guardians can access current and previous Meal Benefit Notification Letters through their SchoolCafé account. These letters may be needed to apply for waived instructional fees, transportation fees, or other program benefits. Directly certified families can also use these steps to locate their Notification of Meal Benefits letter. Information summarized from the district's SchoolCafé instructions.

Steps to Access Your Letter

1. Open a web browser and sign in to your SchoolCafé account.  For best results, use the SchoolCafé website rather than the mobile app. 
2. After signing into School Cafe, select Eligibility Info from the menu on the left side of the screen.
3. On the Eligibility Info page, My application tab shows.  To the right of the My Application tab is a Notifications tab.  Click the Notifications tab. 
4. A list of your Meal Benefit Notifications will appear, including letters from previous school years. 
5. Locate the notification you need and select View to open the letter. 
6. You can then download or print the letter for your records and to provide documentation for waived instructional fees, transportation fees, or other qualifying benefits. 

Need Help?

If you are unable to access your SchoolCafé account or cannot locate your notification letter, please contact the Student Nutrition Services Department at studentnutrition@smsd.org or 913-993-9710.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides funding for school meals through the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast program.  To receive funding, schools must serve meals meeting Federal requirements which include meal pattern, nutrient content and portion size.  This is called a reimbursable meal.

What are the Goals of the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program?

• Safeguard the health and wellbeing of the nations children.
• Encourage the domestic consumption of nutritious agricultural foods.
• Give children an understanding of the relationship between proper eating habits and good health.

Click here to learn more about school meals at the Shawnee Mission School District.

Monitor student meal accounts by visiting SchoolCafé. 

• Apply for meal benefits (free and reduced) 
• Check status of meal benefits application and view/print meal benefit notifications
• View Menus with nutrient and allergen information
• View your child's account balance anytime.
• See exactly what a la carte items are being purchased.
• Set limits on a la carte purchases.
• Do all this by setting up a user name and password via registration on SchoolCafé.

• Printable menus - Elementary English / Spanish

Students Spoke. We Listened.

Student focus groups played a major role in shaping our 2026-2027 menus. Throughout the year, students shared what they enjoy, where they'd like more variety, and ideas for new menu items. We're excited to announce several enhancements based directly on their feedback.

More Variety Across the Menu

Students asked for more choices, and we delivered by expanding options throughout breakfast and lunch, including:

• More fresh fruit selections, including seasonal offerings and fresh sliced apples
• New applesauce flavors
• Monthly PB&J variety options
• Additional grain and snack choices such as Garlic Knots, Munchie Mix, Baked Cheetos, and Cheez-Its
• Student-approved Blueberry Cookies

New Entrées Students Requested

We're adding a variety of new menu items, including:

• Stuffed Cheese Breadsticks
• Soft Chicken Tacos
• Honey Garlic Chicken with Rice
• Beef or Chicken Enchilada Bake
• Beef Quesadillas
• Italian Garlic Bread
• Meatball Sub Sandwiches
• Baked Potatoes with Cheese
• Build-Your-Own Yogurt Parfaits

Many of these items are prepared using speed-scratch cooking methods to provide fresh flavor and quality.

Enhanced Flavor Profiles

Students told us they wanted more flavor, so we've enhanced recipes and added:

• Seasoned Brown Rice Pilaf
• House-made Taco Seasoning
• Parmesan Roasted Potatoes
• Tajín seasoning at spice stations

Breakfast Improvements

After student taste-testing events, we're introducing:

• Egg Frittatas
• Breakfast Tacos
• Egg & Cheese Paninis
• Sausage Roll-Ups
• Breakfast Pizza

Student Favorites Return

We're also featuring special student-requested favorites throughout the year, including:

• Chocolate Cake on National Chocolate Cake Day
• Banana Bread on National Banana Bread Day
• Pizza Hut pizza rotating through elementary schools

Thank You to Our Students

These menu enhancements are a direct result of student feedback. We appreciate every student who participated in focus groups and taste tests to help us create menus that are nutritious, enjoyable, and reflective of their preferences.

Every menu change started with student feedback. Thank you to the students who helped shape our 2026-2027 menus!

Meal Accounts

A meal account is automatically set up for each student upon enrollment in SMSD.  Parents are encouraged to pay for meals in advance by making prepayments into their student's meal account.  Students meal accounts stay active for as long as students remain enrolled in SMSD.  Meal account balances (positive or negative) will follow the student within the SMSD district.

Students will be served a reimbursable meal whether their meal account balance is positive or negative.  For more information on what makes a reimbursable meal, click here for more information on school meals.  

Parents can monitor student meal account balance and purchase history on SchoolCafe.  Click here for Instructions for how to register an account on SchoolCafe.

Parents of graduating seniors or students transferring out of the district can request a refund of the remaining amount in the student meal account by completing the online refund form.  Click here to access the online refund request form.

Contact the Student Nutrition Services office at (913) 993-9710 or email - studentnutrition@smsd.org

2026-2027 Breakfast and Lunch Prices:

The student may receive one reimbursable breakfast and one reimbursable lunch daily at the student meal price. Second student meals are not allowed.

Meal Payments and Negative Balances

Payments to student meal account can be made multiple ways:

• Send a check or cash to the school in an envelope with your student's name and lunch money on the outside of envelope - no transaction fee.
• Pay by phone by calling the Student Nutrition Services office - 913-993-9710 - 7 am to 4pm - no transaction fee.
• Pay online through E-Funds -Choose Pay for Optional Fees to add funds to meal accounts - $3.00 transaction fee.

Households will receive automated phone calls for low meal account balances - $8.00 for full price and $2.00 for reduced priced meals.

Households will receive automated phone calls for negative meal account balances..  Once a month, an automated email regarding negative balances will be sent.

On December 31st and June 30th, any meal account over $-75.00 will be turned over to a collection agency.  Households will be given final notices via email with the opportunity to pay before the balance is turned over to collections.

Click Here to see board policy EE regarding student food service account guidelines.

Ala Carte Options

Elementary School ala carte options vary by school.  Possible daily options are:

• Additional Milk - $0.90
• Second Breakfast Entree - $1.75
• Second Lunch Entree - $2.75

On Fridays, some elementary schools offer Fun Food Friday where additional ala carte items are offered.

• Fruit Snacks - $1.25
• Crackers - $0.75
• Cookie - $1.50
• Frozen Fruit Cup - $1.25

Middle School ala carte options vary by school.  Possible daily options are:

• Second Breakfast Entrée - $1.75
• Second Lunch Entrée - $2.75
• Additional Milk - $0.90
• Sparkling Juice - $2.00
• Cookie - $1.50
• Fruit Snacks - $1.25
• Ice Cream Novelties - $1.75
• Frozen Fruit Cup - $1.25
• Chips - $1.25
• Large Chip - $1.75
• Crackers - $0.75 

High School ala carte options vary by school.  Possible daily options are:

• Second Breakfast Entrée - $1.75
• Second Lunch Entrée - $2.75
• Cookie - $1.50
• Additional Milk - $0.90
• Sparkling Ice - $2.25
• Sparkling Juice - $2.00
• Propel - $2.25
• Gatorade- $2.50
• Fruit Snacks - $1.25
• Ice Cream Novelties - $1.75
• Frozen Fruit Cup - $1.25
• Chips - $1.25
• Large Chip - $1.75
• Crackers - $0.75 

Monitor student meal accounts by visiting SchoolCafé. 

• Apply for meal benefits (free and reduced) 
• Check status of meal benefits application and view/print meal benefit notifications
• View Menus with nutrient and allergen information
• View your child's account balance anytime.
• See exactly what a la carte items are being purchased.
• Set limits on a la carte purchases.
• Do all this by setting up a user name and password via registration on SchoolCafé.

To Register for an Account

1. Select 'Create a new account'.
2. Select "I’m a Parent" and select Next.
3. Enter your name and contact information, then select Next.
4. Create a username and password you will easily remember, and confirm the password.
5. Set up a security question and answer (in case you forget your login credentials) and select Next.
6. Read and accept the Terms & Conditions, then select Create Account.

Password Reset*

Contact Info 

• Phone: 855.PAY-2-EAT - (855) 729-2328
• Email: customercare@schoolcafe.com 

*Note: For security purposes, you may be asked to verify your contact info, including your security answer, when you request help.

To Add a Student:

1. At the top of your Dashboard, select 'Add a Student'.
2. Enter your student’s information as requested.
3. Select Find Student.
4. Verify the student found is accurate and select Add Student.

How to Apply for Meal Benefits on SchoolCafe - After July 1

1. Sign in to your SchoolCafe Account
2. On the left menu, click Eligibility Benefits and then click Apply
3. Select your preferred language.
4. Begin the application for Free & Reduced Meals by certifying your information is correct or by editing the information.
5. Enter Household & Student Information
6. Add Students to Your Application - Add each student who will be included in the meal application.
7. Add Additional Household Members- Include all household members 
8. Enter Additional Details - Provide information such as income, foster status, or homelessness status if applicable.  Income amounts can be adjusted as needed.
9. Provide Assistance Information - Enter any information about financial assistance you receive.  Enter case numbers where required.
10. Navigate Through the Application.  You may return to previous steps at any time to make corrections.
11. Review & Certify Your Information - Review household info, assistance info, and selected students.  Certify that all information is correct.
12.  Enter the last four digits of your Social Security number if required.
13.  Submit your completed application.
14.  Digitally sign the application.
15.  Submit Your Application
16. After submission, you will receive a copy you can print or download.
17. After Submission You can view:

• Previous applications
• Submitted applications
• Application results
• Submission dates
• Notification letters about your application
• Eligibility status letters from the district

How To Set Up Low Balance Alerts

1. Sign into your School Cafe account
2. From your Dashboard, locate an individual student and select the blue text next to "Low Balance Alert" (it will say either "Not Set" or "Set for ...").
3. Enter a balance threshold. This tells SchoolCafé how low the student’s balance must be before a low balance alert is sent to you.
4. Enter how often you would like to receive a reminder that the student’s balance is below the threshold.
5. Select Save.

How to View Account Balances and Purchases

1. Sign into your SchoolCafe account.  Your students must be linked to your account.  See To Add a Student above.
2. From your Dashboard, locate an individual student.  Account Balance for the student will show under the student's name.  Select Purchase History.
3. Select how many days you wish to view  - Last 7 days, 14 days, 30 days, or custom

How to set Restrictions for ala carte purchases

1. Sign into your SchoolCafe account.  Your students must be linked to your account.  See To Add a Student above.
2. On the left side menu bar, under payments, select Purchase Restrictions.
3. Indicate the days that you do not want your child to purchase ala carte with cash in their hand.
4. Indicate the days that you do not want your child to purchase ala carte with their account.
5. Indicate the maximum number of ala carte items your child can purchase each day.
6. Indicate the maximum dollar amount that your child can purchase ala carte daily, weekly or monthly.  This amount is in addition to the school meal.
7. Click Save these restrictions. 

Example: Purchase Restrictions:

• If you have clicked Tuesday and Thursday, this means your child cannot purchase ala carte items on these days.
• If you have indicated $1.00 daily spending limit, your child will be able to purchase a school meal and $1.00 of ala carte daily. 

How to restrict your child from buying any ala carte from the cafeteria

1. Sign into your SchoolCafe account.  Your students must be linked to your account.  See To Add a Student above.
2. On the left side menu bar, under payments, select Purchase Restrictions.
3. Under purchase restrictions, click all boxes.
4. Under maximum number of ala carte purchased per day list 0.
5. Under daily, weekly and monthly spending list 0 in each. 
6. Click Save these restrictions.

How to restrict your child from buying any item (meals and ala carte) from the cafeteria

Contact the Student Nutrition Services office at (913) 993-9710 or email - studentnutrition@smsd.org

Wellness

The Wellness Committee began on a mandate from USDA through the National School Lunch Program in 2005. A districtwide student wellness policy has been approved by the board of education.  Each year the committee meets to assess the progress and fine tune goals in areas of nutrition, nutrition promotion & education, physical activity, and integrated school based wellness.

District Wellness Plan

The district wellness policy (JGCA) provides a consistent message for the health of our students in grades PreK-12.  This Wellness Plan, created by the Wellness Committee, is designed to reinforce the district’s commitment to student wellness. The Wellness Plan is intended to provide a roadmap for schools to promote student, staff, and community wellness.

Nutrition

• Schools will allow and encourage students to have individual water bottles in the classroom.  
• Carbonated sodas or energy drinks will not be made available to students (sold or as reward).
• Smart Snacks in School guidelines will be followed for food/beverages sold to students including school stores and fundraising.
• Encourage non-food rewards, incentives, and celebrations by providing teachers and parents information on healthy options.
  • Click Here for ideas on Activate Rewards
  • Click Here for KSDE handout on Healthy Celebrations
• Food/beverage items provided to students will be labeled by the manufacturer. Fresh fruits/vegetables do not need a label.
• Foods or beverages will not be provided/sold in competition with food service during the meal serving times.
• Food will not be ordered for delivery to the school during the school day for student consumption.
• Schools will be encouraged to provide at least 20 minutes ‘seat time’ for students at lunch not including time spent walking to/from class or waiting in line.

Nutrition Promotion and Education

• Staff will be educated on healthy eating options and ways to integrate nutrition education into instruction (example: including healthier recipes when food is prepared by students in FACS classes). (Curriculum and Instruction)
• Schools will be encouraged to have at least one school-wide interactive event that is either centered on nutrition or contains nutrition as a main component. (Health Fairs, Family Night, or educational community connections or events)
• Marketing (oral, written or graphics) of any foods and beverages sold on the school campus during the school day must meet the requirements set forth in the Smart Snacks Rule.
• School Staff, PTA and all departments will promote to students the development of healthy eating habits.

Physical Activity

• Schools will model the benefit of physical activity and wellness by encouraging opportunities for periodic movement in the classroom and throughout the school day.
• Physical Activity as a punishment including withholding physical activity is prohibited.  
• Schools will explore opportunities to share information on safe routes to schools and community mapping projects to promote students and families walking and/or biking to school.

Integrated School Based Wellness

• Vaping and tobacco education information will be provided to building administrators, staff, students, and parents.
• The use of candles, oil diffusers, plug-ins, incense, or other fragranced items will not be allowed in district buildings.  These items diminish indoor air quality which can be a respiratory irritant for asthmatics and other sensitive populations.
• The District will maintain a Staff Wellbeing website which will provide information on all domains of wellbeing: physical, emotional, financial, career and community.
• Click Here for ideas in the USDA Team Nutrition Popular Events Idea Booklet

Social Emotional Wellbeing

• The district utilizes an evidenced-based resource designed to help students develop the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions; the ability to set and achieve positive goals; the ability to feel and show empathy for others; the ability to establish and maintain positive relationships; and the ability to make responsible decisions.

Questions? Please contact: PaulaBunde@smsd.org,  TeresaDenkSmajda@smsd.org,  JillWillett@smsd.org

The Kansas Department of Education (KSDE) also provides state wide wellness data.  Click here to access the KSDE Wellness Data

Smart Snacks in Schools

The USDA released a Final Rule for Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School (Smart Snacks in Schools).  The guidelines went into effect July 1, 2014.  The law has specific nutrition standards for all foods and beverages sold to students outside the school meal programs; on the school campus; and at any time during the school day.  This includes foods and beverages sold a la carte in the cafeteria, in school stores, at snack bars, through fundraising, from vending machines or any other venues that sell food to students – including coffee shops.  

Definitions

School day - is defined as midnight before, to 30 minutes after the end of the instructional school day.

Fundraisers - A fundraiser is an event/activity that currency/tokens/tickets are exchanged for the sale/purchase of a product in support of the school or school related activities. Example, giving away food but suggesting a donation would be a fundraiser. Purchasing tickets/tokens to be exchanged for food items is also a fundraiser.

Exempt Fundraisers - Fundraiser sold during the school day on the school campus that does not meet the Nutrition Standards for Smart Snacks. Length of the organization’s exempt fundraiser cannot exceed 2 consecutive days. One exempt fundraiser per school organization per semester is allowed. Exempted fundraisers may not be sold in competition with school meals.  Click Here to access KSDE's information on Smart Snacks in Schools.

School Organization - a school group approved by the local board of education.

Smart Snacks Calculator – Website used to determine if food or beverage meets the nutrient standards as defined by USDA.  Click Here to access the Smart Snacks Calculator.

Condiments – Any accompaniments added to food or beverage such as creamer, ketchup, syrups or flavorings. Condiments must be included in the nutrient profile as part of the food/beverage item served and meet all proposed standards.

Combination Foods - products that contain two or more components representing two or more of the recommended food groups: fruit, vegetable, dairy, protein or grains.

Food Standards

Food Sold to Students during the school day must meet ALL of the Nutrient Standards for:

1. Calories: Snack Item ≤ 200 Side Dishes ≤ 200 Entrée Items ≤ 350
2. Sodium: Snack Items ≤ 200 mg Entrée Items ≤ 480 mg
3. Total Fat: ≤ 35% of calories
4. Saturated Fat: < 10% of calories
5. Trans Fat: Zero grams
6. Total Sugar: ≤ 35% by weight

AND Snack/Side Dish/Entree has

• 1st ingredient is a grain (at least 50% whole grain); OR
• 1st ingredient is one of the following: fruit, vegetable, dairy product or protein food (meat, beans, poultry, etc.); OR
• A “combination food” with at least ¼ cup fruit and/or vegetable

Sugar-free chewing gum is exempt from standards.

Beverage Standards

Procedures For Selling Food to Students

1. Contact the school nurse with the following information.
   1. School organization
   2. Date(s) of the fundraiser
   3. Time of the fundraiser
   4. Food or beverage being sold along with nutrient and ingredient label of food items.
   5. Location of fundraiser
2. School Nurse will complete the Food/Beverage Fundraisers Tracking Tool on the shared google drive.
3. School nurse will use the Smart Snacks Calculator to determine if the food/beverage meets the nutrient standards. School nurse will save the results page from the Smarts Snacks Calculator along with a copy of the product’s label on the shared google drive.
4. Once the school nurse has determined whether a product would be allowed or exempt, they will give results to the fundraiser contact and the building principal who would give final approval or denial of the fundraiser.
5. All fundraising documentation must be available for review by KSDE Child Nutrition and Wellness.  

Contact Information for Smart Snacks in Schools

• Your School Nurse
• Jill Willett, Nutritionist
• Paula Bunde, Coordinator of Health Services

If you are interested in making a donation to help struggling families pay for school meals, click here to provide information for a representative of Student Nutrition Services to contact you.

Request a refund of your student's account balance by completing our online request form.

JOIN OUR SMSD TEAM!

• School Hours (no evenings or weekends and summers off)
• Paid Holidays
• Health Insurance
• Retirement Plan
• Uniform Allowance
• Paid Sick Leave

Check out our current job openings here.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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

(2) Fax:  (202) 690-7442; or

(3) Email:  program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

USDA Nondiscrimination Statement - Spanish Translation

De acuerdo con la ley federal de derechos civiles y los reglamentos y políticas de derechos civiles del Departamento de Agricultura de EE. UU. (USDA - U.S. Department of Agriculture), el USDA, sus organismos, ofi y empleados, y las instituciones que participan o administran los programas del USDA tienen prohibido discriminar por motivos de raza, color, origen étnico, sexo, discapacidad, edad o tomar represalias o venganza por actividades anteriores a los derechos civiles en cualquier programa o actividad llevada a cabo o financiado por el USDA.

Las personas con discapacidad que requieran medios alternativos de comunicación para informarse del programa (por ejemplo, braille, letra grande, cinta de audio, lengua americana de signos, etc.) deben ponerse en contacto con el organismo (estatal o local) donde solicitaron sus prestaciones. Las personas sordas o con problemas de audición o defi encias en el habla pueden ponerse en contacto con el USDA a través del Federal Relay Service (servicio federal de transmisiones) en el (800) 877-8339. Además, puede encontrar información del programa en otros idiomas además del inglés.

Para presentar una queja por discriminación contra el programa, rellene el formulario de quejas por discriminación contra el programa de USDA, (USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form - AD-3027) disponible en línea en: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, y en cualquier oficina del USDA, o escriba una carta dirigida al USDA con toda la información solicitada en el formulario. Para solicitar una copia del formulario de queja, llame al (866) 632-9992. Envíe el formulario rellenado o carta al 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

     (2)   fax:  (202) 690-7442; o

     (3)   correo electrónico:  program.intake@usda.gov.

Esta institución aplica el principio de igualdad de oportunidades.

Access to food and nutrition is important at every age – both at home and at school. "As ONE Shawnee Mission, we recognize some in our community may be affected and may need assistance," Dr. Schumacher shared.

The following links are shared to provide a connection to local resources:

Johnson County Kansas Community Food Pantry List

Find Your Local Food Bank