The mission of Department of Food and Nutrition is to Fuel Students for Success by providing high quality, nutritious meals to students.
Facts for Families
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, additional benefits have been identified for most families that attend Roanoke City Public Schools. Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, designated families will soon receive food funds through Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfers. Students at Crystal Spring and Grandin Court Elementary Schools who are receiving free and reduced meals, are eligible to receive funds. Students at all other schools are automatically eligible because they attend a CEP School.
Families at Crystal Spring Elementary and Grandin Court Elementary may still apply for free or reduced price meal eligibility. Click here to apply
Beginning later this month, the Department of Social Services will be mailing EBT debit cards to families. The cards will hold $370 per eligible students. Benefits will be provided for eligible enrolled students only.
Click here for more information from the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Department of Education about pandemic EBT benefits.
To ask questions about your card, manage your account, or request a new card, call 1-866-281-2448.
If you do not receive your P-EBT card by mid-June and you have not been contacted, call (804) 726-7000.
SodexoMAGIC
Roanoke City Public Schools is a proud partner with SodexoMAGIC to provide nutritious meals for students. Please visit here for more information and employment opportunities. Follow them on Twitter @StarCityCafes.
Where can I find Nutrition Information? 
SodexoMAGIC uses So Happy...the app that tells you what's on the menu today in your school's cafeteria. Check out the menu items-including calories, nutritional information, and allergens.
SO HAPPY is available as a free download on the app store and Google play.
What is the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP)?
The Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) is a provision from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 that allows school and local educational agencies (LEAs) with high poverty rates to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. CEP eliminates the burden of collecting household applications to determine eligibility for school meals, relying instead on information from other means-tested programs such as the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families.
Which schools qualify for CEP?
Fairview Elementary
Fallon Park Elementary
Fishburn Park Elementary
Garden City Elementary
Highland Park Elementary
Hurt Park Elementary
Forest Park Academy
Lincoln Terrace Elementary
Lucy Addison Middle
James Breckinridge Middle
James Madison Middle
John P. Fishwick Middle
Monterey Elementary
Morningside Elementary
Patrick Henry High
Preston Park Elementary
Noel C. Taylor Learning Academy
Roanoke Academy of Math and Science (RAMS)
Round Hill Elementary
Virginia Heights Elementary
Wasena Elementary
Westside Elementary
William Fleming High
Woodrow Wilson Middle
How do students at these schools get free breakfast and lunch?
No paperwork is required, no money is exchanged. The student must enter their ID number at the cash register as normal.
What about snacks and other a-la-carte items?
Students will still pay to purchase items like chips, ice cream, and other Smart Snacks. At the middle and high school level, students will pay for bottled drinks but free milk will still be provided with the meal.
My child goes to a CEP school but I still want to pay for their meal. Can I?
CEP means every child at that school gets free breakfast and lunch. If you still want to pay, we encourage you to make a donation to the Department of Food and Nutrition. Contact 853-2863.
Which schools don’t qualify for CEP?
Crystal Spring Elementary
Grandin Court Elementary
If my child attends a school that didn’t receive CEP, can they still qualify for free and reduced lunch?
Yes. If you haven’t filled out a free and reduced lunch application for the 2019-2020 school year, you may apply online beginning August 14, 2019 at MySchoolApps or you can pick up printed application at your child’s school. The deadline to re-apply for free and reduced lunch is October 2, 2019. Applications are accepted throughout the school year. Students who do not qualify for free and reduced lunch will pay the full cost of any meals they purchase. This year, lunches are $2.55. Breakfast is $1.25. Reduced price breakfast is $0.30 and reduced price lunch is $0.40.
What if I have more questions?
Please call Food and Nutrition at 853-2863.
Manage student accounts online
Please visit MySchoolBucks.com to set up an account to view and manage your student's breakfast and lunch purchases.
Apply online for Free and Reduced Meals!
Free and Reduced Meal Applications must be updated each year. Last year's application will expire October 2, 2019. New students are charged full price, $2.55 until an application is processed by the Department of Food and Nutrition. You may apply here online. Applications are also available at your child's school and online to print and send to the Department of Food and Nutrition. Every child is sent home an application on the first day of school. Contact the Department of Food and Nutrition at 853-2863 for more information.
Applications in 33 languages are available.