Welcome to the lunch program for all Hudsonville and Jenison Elementary Schools. This information sheet will help to answer the most frequently asked questions about the lunch program that is offered in your building. If you have any additional questions about this program, please call 457-2400 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Elementary
What are the 2022-23 Meal Prices?
All A la Carte items are priced separately and students must have money in their accounts to purchase any extras.
|
|
Breakfast |
Lunch |
Lunch Includes:
Choice of Entrée (includes protein & whole grains) Fruit and Vegetable Side Dishes Milk
|
|
Elementary |
$1.25 |
$2.50 |
|
|
Reduced Price Meals |
FREE |
FREE |
|
|
Milk Only (all meals) |
$0.50 per carton |
$0.50 per carton |
How do I deposit money for my child?
Each child has an account just for them, with their 5-digit student ID as their account number. Elementary Students are assigned a White ID card and a Blue ID card. The ID cards stay at school. You can deposit any amount of money into your child’s account(s), but please be sure that there is money in your child's account at all times.
- Money can be deposited at school any day by 10:00am. Check with your school to see where money should be dropped off!
- Online deposits are made at Family Portal ; all you need is your child’s 5-digit account number. The money is available in the account within 15 minutes!
- Please note that there is a fee ($1.50 fee for E-checks and $2.95 per $100 for credit cards) that covers our cost of offering this service. You only pay this fee if you make a deposit online. It is free to check balances.
- Send checks (made out to Jenison/Hudsonville School Food Service) or cash with your child in a sealed envelope with a deposit slip and the child's first and last name and teacher on the outside of the envelope.
- You can use one envelope and one check for more than one child but please be sure to include a deposit slip for each child so we know how to divide the money.
- Print a Deposit Slip here!
How does my child get lunch?
- Each morning your child’s teacher will ask the children to choose what item they want from the menu. Each teacher will have a method of ordering that works in their classroom.
- The count is then sent to the kitchen at your school, where the food is prepared.
- Your child takes their White or Blue ID card down to the lunch area to pick up their food. (The White card is for the W item and the Blue card is for the B item.)
- First up is the food bar, where they choose which fruits and vegetables they want.
- Then, each child goes to the serving window, where the server will give them the item they ordered. The child leaves their B or W ID card with the server.
- At the end of the lunch period, the server scans their card and returns it to the classroom. Lunch costs are deducted from your child's account when the server scans their ID card. If your child does not come down for lunch, no money will be deducted from their account.
How does my child receive milk only?
Your child will take their White ID card to the area where they pick up the milk only. They drop the card in the “milk only” drop box, and the $0.50 charge will be deducted by the server at the end of the lunch period. No need to pre order milk!
What if my child loses or damages the ID card?
Your child's teacher will let the server know when they have a lost or damaged card. Original cards are made for us by Geskus; replacement cards are made by Food Service. They're not quite as fancy but they get the job done.
What do I do if the balance in my account differs from what I believe my child ate?
First, monitor their account online! Go to Family Portal to view the activity. You will need your child’s 5-digit account number (which remains the same every year) to set up the account; email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the main food service office at 457-2400 to get your child’s ID number. The account history will let view purchase and deposit history. If you have a concern after receiving this report, please call 457-2400 to resolve the problem. If you wish to transfer money from one child’s account to another child’s account, please put the request in writing with specific instructions on where the money is coming from and where it is going.
How do I know if my child has a negative balance?
We will send home 2 notes (1st green, 2nd red) when your child’s balance becomes negative. You must pay the negative balance in order for them to continue to order lunch. It is your responsibility to regularly check your child’s account balance to ensure that they have enough money to purchase meals. For account balances, you can visit Family Portal, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the Food Service office Monday through Friday at 457-2400.
Emails will go out each night at 8pm; you will not get more than 2 emails per week.
A reminder that this lunch system is not a charge account.
What if I pack a lunch for my child and then they order lunch at school?
Have a conversation with your child about how you want them to use their account. This ordering system gives greater convenience to parents but it also allows greater freedom to children. If you need some help in guiding your child in this area, please call 457-2400 and we will try to work on a solution with you. Ultimately, though, if your child comes through the line with a lunch, the account will be charged.
Can I apply for free and reduced lunches online?
Yes!! You can go to https://www.familyportal.cloud/ to fill out an application online. Choose "GUEST" to fill out an application. This can be done at anytime during the school year. A new application needs to be filled out each school year and will be available after July 1. Paper applications are also available at any district building. Your benefits will begin immediately upon approval and a confirmation letter will be sent to you. You can contact Food Service at 457-2400 if you have any questions concerning free or reduced status.
Secondary Lunch Program
How much do meals cost?
|
|
Breakfast |
Lunch |
Lunch Includes:
Choice of Entrée (includes protein & whole grains) Fruit and Vegetable Side Dishes Milk
|
|
Secondary |
$1.50 |
$3.00 |
|
|
Reduced Price Meals |
FREE |
FREE |
|
|
Milk Only (all meals) |
$0.50 per carton |
$0.50 per carton |
How do I get a menu and nutritional information?
A complete menu, and nutrition information is available at Nutrislice.
How does my student use their Food Service Account?
Every student has an account, accessed with their student ID number. Each register has a keypad for students to punch in their ID number. Students must have money in their account in order to use it. All outstanding balances from your student’s elementary account must be paid before they can use their account at the secondary level.
How do I deposit money?
- Online deposits are made at Family Portal ; all you need is your student’s 5-digit account number. The money is available in the account within 15 minutes! Please note that there is a fee ($1.50 fee for E-checks and $2.95 per $100 for credit cards) that covers our cost of offering this service. You only pay this fee if you make a deposit online. It is free to check balances.
- Send checks (made out to Jenison/Hudsonville School Food Service) or cash with your child in a sealed envelope with a deposit slip and the student’s first and last name on the outside of the envelope. You can use one envelope and one check for more than one student but please be sure to include a note so we know how much money to put in each account.
- We recommend that you try to keep at least $5.00 in your student’s account so that they can make purchases without worry!
- We don’t cash checks through Food Service.
How do I see what my student is buying?
- Monitor the account online! Go to Family Portal to deposit money, view account histories, or place restrictions on the account.
- Contact us with questions about your child’s account at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call our office at (616) 457-2400. We can provide an account history so you can see deposits and purchase activity.
- Restrictions can be placed on each account, according to your wishes. Call our office or email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and we can discuss your options!
How will I know when they run out of money?
- You can set up an account online at Family Portal to monitor activity.
- You will also get a low balance email through the district's SchoolMessenger system when your child's account is at $3.00 or less for full pay lunches.
- Your child can also ask for their balance at the register. It is ultimately your responsibility to track your child's lunch balance.
What if my child forgot their lunch and has no money in their account?
- If you have other children in the district, we can transfer money between them. Or you can deposit funds online – money is available within 15 minutes of the online deposit.
- We will allow emergency charging of up to 2 school meals. After that, students must visit the school's office for approval. No a la carte items can be charged.
Free/Reduced Meal Benefits - how does it work?
- A NEW application must be filled out every year
- If your family receives SNAP (food stamp) benefits, no application is necessary; you will receive a letter confirming your benefits.
- Apply online at You can go to https://www.familyportal.cloud/ to fill out an application online. Choose "GUEST" to fill out an application. It is fast and easy to apply online! Paper applications are available at each school and will be approved within 5 business days.
- Once your application is approved, benefits begin immediately. We will also notify you via mail.
- Students who qualify for meal benefits use their account just like everyone else!
- Any item purchased beyond a school meal is a la carte and they must have money in the account to purchase those items.
- All meal benefit information is confidential!
How can I contact the Food Service Office?
We are open Monday through Friday 7:30 until 4:00pm. (Closed on school breaks and holidays)
Jenison/Hudsonville Food Service
2140 Bauer Road
Jenison, MI 49428
Phone: (616) 457-2400
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Website: www.jenhudfood.org
