To get the best value for your dollar (or if you receive free or reduced-price meals), students should purchase a complete meal. A meal is defined by the USDA as part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). To better understand that definition, we have created "What makes a meal?" signs, which are posted in each cafeteria. If you have any questions about these documents, please contact us and encourage your child to ask for help from the school cafeteria staff.

As students in District 308 move up from elementary to middle school, their choices in the cafeteria increase considerably. Additional entrees, sides and some snacks (meeting NSLP nutrition requirements) can be purchased as part of a meal or purchased "a la carte" (meaning purchased separately and not part of a meal). We encourage students to make choices that count as a meal so they aren't spending more money than they need to.

High school students have even more decisions to make in the cafeteria. In addition to our made-to-order stations and daily favorites, our menus are constantly updated with new items (at all grade levels). But just like the expanded offerings they experienced in junior high, entrees and sides purchased a la carte will typically cost more than if purchased as a meal.