A group of grade school students sits at a lunch table in a school cafeteria, smiling at the camera. Their brightly-colored lunch boxes and thermoses are placed in front of them on the table.

Food Service

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Central 301 Food Service Information

December Menus

Food Service Director – Jessica VonSchnase

In order to provide the safest, contactless transactions for payments, Central 301 Food Service departments district-wide are cashless. Cashiers will not accept cash or checks at the cashier stations. All lunch payments must be updated through our online payment system, MySchoolBucks (Heartland Payment Systems).

Setting up a free MySchoolBucks account is easy. To set up an account, you will need your student’s name and ID number. Funds can be added using your credit/debit card ($3.25 transaction fee) or electronic check ($2.75 transaction fee).

Some features with MySchoolBucks are:

  • Add funds easily with available auto-replenish options
  • View cafeteria purchases
  • Check your student’s account balance
  • Receive low balance alerts, depending on your preferences setup

MySchoolBucks offers OnePay, a discounted fee payment program for student lunch accounts. OnePay allows parents/guardians to pay transaction fees upfront from their checking accounts (electronic check; credit card payments are not available) with unlimited lunch account payments for 12 months. Parents/Guardians can make as many lunch account payments as they want, in any amount – there are no spending limits.

Free & Reduced Lunch Program

Central CUSD 301 offers free and reduced-price lunches based on income eligibility guidelines set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Parents/guardians may complete a Household Eligibility Application in MySchoolApps.com to apply for free and reduced lunches. All information on the application must be completed and include each member of the household. A new application must be submitted each school year. You will be notified once your status has been determined.

Lunch Prices for the 2024-2025 School Year

  • Elementary Schools – $3.20
  • Middle Schools – $3.30
  • High School – $3.40
  • Reduced Price Lunch (all schools) – $0.40 
  • Milk (all schools) – $0.40 
  • Adult/Teacher Lunch – $3.95

All Central 301 Schools offer a USDA Reimbursable Value Meal of the Day 

This meal consists of five (5) meal components:

  • Milk Choices: ½ pint
    • White Milk – Low Fat or Fat Free
    • Chocolate – Fat Free
    • Soy Milk or Water – Available only with an approved Physician’s Statement
  • Vegetables Choices: Every week a variety of fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables are offered from five (5) groups: dark green/leafy, red/orange, beans/lentils, starchy, and other vegetables.
  • Fruits: A variety of fresh, frozen, and canned fruits in their own juice are offered each week, as well as 100% vegetable/fruit juices.
  • Grains & Breads: All servings of grains, pastas, and bread items are made from at least 51% whole grains.
  • Meat/Meat Alternate (Protein Items): Each week a variety of protein items are offered, including meat (beef, chicken, turkey) and non-meat items such as cheese, refried beans, black beans, and hummus.
  • Please Note: All five (5) components will be served at elementary buildings. Middle and high school students may select 3-5 components to make it a complete meal.

Refund of Lunch Account Funds

Families may use this link to request a refund of funds on their student(s)’ lunch account. Parents/Guardians may transfer funds between active students within MySchoolBucks. If you have additional questions, please contact the Food Service Department at (847) 464-5867.

Additional Information

Join Our Food Service Team

Central 301’s Food Service Department is looking for cooks and cook substitutes. We have part-time permanent and substitute positions available. Permanent positions range from 5 to 6.5 hours per day.

If you are looking for a position in your community that gives you the opportunity to work while your child(ren) is at school, this might be the perfect job for you.  Food Service Employees work according to their child(ren)’s school calendar. Food Service Employees are off on school calendar holidays, winter and spring breaks, and during the summer.

If you have any questions, please contact the Food Service Director Jessica VonSchnase at (847) 464-5867.