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Frequently Asked Questions

Home → Services → Nutrition Services → Frequently Asked Questions

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How does a family apply for free or reduced priced meal benefits for a student?

Nutrition Services utilizes an online application to determine a student’s eligibility for free or reduced priced meals. The online application is available to families beginning in mid-August annually. More information can be found on the Free & Reduced Priced Meals page.

Applications in other languages: USDA provides applications for school meal benefits in nearly 50 languages. Foreign language applications can be downloaded from the USDA website . Paper applications should be mailed to Nutrition Services at 12037 NE 5th St Bellevue, WA 980005 for processing.

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Can a student qualify for meal benefits (free or reduced price) without completing a school meal application?

Yes. The Nutrition Services Department directly certifies students for meal benefits through a data matching process with DSHS. Families who receive assistance benefits from programs such as Basic Food, TANF or FDRIP are automatically qualified for free meals through this matching process which occurs several times during the school year. Students eligible for Medicaid benefits may qualify for free or reduced priced meals. Additionally, free meals are extended to students who are certified as McKenney Vento (Homeless), Migrant, Foster, or ECEAP.

Families whose students qualify for free or reduced priced meals through systems other than the online application, should complete the Consent to Share School Meal Eligibility Form if they are interested in pursuing Fee Waivers or are interested in being connected with the Family Connections/Health Services Centers. The Consent to Share Form is mailed to families along with their eligibility letter notifying them of the student’s qualification for free or reduced price school meals. Families may additionally contact the Nutrition Services Department at (425) 456-4507 or nutrition@bsd405.org to access the form.

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How are families informed if they qualify for free or reduced price meal benefits?

Once processing is completed, families are mailed a letter identifying the student’s eligibility for free, reduced or paid meals. Processing of meal benefit applications may take up to 10 days. Families are encouraged to complete the online application as early as possible to ensure that a student’s eligibility status is properly established for the school year. Families requesting a replacement eligibility letter for sports or academic purposes may contact Nutrition Services at (425) 456-4507 or nutrition@bsd405.org.

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Are there other benefits to signing up for free or reduced priced school meals?

If your student(s) qualifies for free or reduced-price school meals, they may be eligible for additional services, waived or discounted fees to participate in other school activities or programs through the District’s Fee Waiver Program.  Available programs include:

  • Family Connections /Human Services Center – Connects families with information about support services & resources in the community such as the Backpack Program (school supplies); Operation School Bell (clothing); Breaktime-Mealtime (food), Backpack Meals (food); and Shoes that Fit.
  • Fee Waiver Program – Offers waived fees for IB, AP and World Language tests; extracurricular activities such as ASB dues, event registrations, field trips, performances, social event/dances, sporting events, transportation fees, athletic fees, required uniforms; discounted summer school tuition.

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How do I sign up for the District’s Fee Waiver Program?

Step 1: Complete the Annual Application for School Meal Benefits to determine if your student qualifies for free or reduced priced school meals.

In the “Sharing Information” section (Part 5 of the online application or Part 7 of the paper application), select that you consent to share your student’s school meal eligibility information with the Fee Waiver Program.

If you previously completed the annual application and did not select the Fee Waiver Program in the Sharing Information section OR you were notified that your child was directly certified for free or reduced priced meals, you will need to complete and return the Consent to Share Form.  Allow 3-5 business days to be activated in the Fee Waiver Program.

Contact Nutrition Services at 425-456-4507 for application assistance.

Step 2:  Once activated in the Fee Waiver Program, access your student’s account on the BSD Online Payment Site https://wa-bellevue.intouchreceipting.com/.  Please contact your school office for assistance.

Step 3:  Add items you need to the shopping cart.  Items that are eligible for a fee waiver will show as $0.00 at purchase.  If it is not showing as a $0.00 amount, contact your school office for assistance.

Fee waivers are not applied retroactively, and fees paid prior to becoming active in the Fee Waiver Program are not refundable.

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Do families need to complete an application for free or reduced price meal benefits each year?

Yes. During a traditional school year, students returning to a school in the Bellevue School District start the first 30 days of the school year retaining their prior year’s eligibility for free or reduced priced meals. Families are encouraged during this initial time period to submit an application for the current year for processing. Families who do not have a current year application for their student processed during the first 30 school days will “rollover” to the paid status on the 31st school day which is typically mid-October. Families are responsible for the cost of meals provided to a student prior to eligibility for free or reduced priced meals being established.

The Rollover Date (30th day) of school for the 2022-23 school year is Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022.

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Can a family submit an application for school meal benefits anytime during the year?

Yes. While applications for the current year are typically processed from August to October, if a family’s income or household size changes during the year, an online application can be submitted (or resubmitted) to determine eligibility for free or reduced priced meals. Application processing closes on of the day prior to the last day of school each year.

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What is included in a meal?

Lunch

All students, regardless of their eligibility for free, reduced or paid meals, are offered a variety of entrée options each day. These entrée options are served through the “main line” in the cafeteria. In addition to entree’s, students in the main line may select from a variety of fruits and vegetables on the salad bar and pick their choice of milk (1% or non-fat white milk or non-fat chocolate milk). In order to count as a reimbursable USDA school meal – of the five food groups offered (milk, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat or meat alternate) students must take what amounts to three servings out of the five groups. A ½ cup serving of a fruit and/or vegetable is required to be one of the three choices.

Breakfast

In schools where a breakfast program is offered, all students, regardless of their eligibility for free, reduced or paid meals, are offered a variety of entrée options each day. In addition to entree’s, students may select from a variety of fresh, canned or dried fruits, 100% fruit juice and pick their choice of milk. In order to count as a reimbursable USDA school meal – of the four food groups offered (milk, fruit, grain, meat or meat alternate) students must take what amounts to three items out of the four groups, a ½ cup fruit serving is required to be one of the three items.

Snack Bars & A la Carte Options

In addition to the “meal”, Nutrition Services provides students with the opportunity to purchase additional food or beverage items through a la carte choices available on the main line or in the Middle & High School Snack Bars which are operated by the department. Signage is displayed in the serving area which identifies the cost for each item. A la carte or snack bar items may be purchased with cash or through a student’s school meal account. Snacks may not be charged to a student’s account if they do not have money.

Examples of items typically sold a la carte or through the snack bar during lunch include bottled water, carbonated fruit juices, bottled juices, chips, cookies, fresh fruit cups, a single slice of pizza, bagel and cream cheese, yogurt parfaits, etc.

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How do you pay for school meals?

Nutrition Services offers a variety of convenient ways to pay for school meals. Checks and cash are accepted by the Lunchroom Cashier either as a pre-paid deposit to a student’s account or for purchasing individual meals, milk or other a la carte item. Checks should be made payable to Bellevue School District (or BSD).

Student meals may also be paid for with a credit card online or by phone using PayPams. PayPams requires the Student’s ID number or meal account pin number (provided by the school) to create an account. PayPAMS will charge a $2.40 fee per family, rather than per student for online payments. Parents may monitor their student’s account history and view purchases without a fee.

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What are the school meal prices for the 2022-23 school year?

  • Elementary: Breakfast $2.25 and Lunch $3.75
  • Middle School: Breakfast $2.50 and Lunch $4.00
  • High School: Breakfast $2.50 and Lunch $4.00

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How does a family request a refund on their student’s school meal account?

A family may request a refund of their student’s school meal account by completing the Request for Account Adjustment Form (PDF). Forms are available from the Lunchroom Cashier or Kitchen Manager. Forms may additionally be requested from the Nutrition Services office at (425) 456-4507 or nutrition@bsd405.org. Processing of refunds may take 14-21 days. Cash refunds or credit card returns are not available.

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Is it possible to transfer funds between the school meal accounts of two siblings?

Yes. If you have a PayPams account, you may log in to your account and select “Transfer Funds”. Select the student account you are transferring FROM, enter amount, then select student you are transferring TO. Enter both students’ ID numbers and click submit. If you do not have a PayPams account, requests for transfers between student accounts may be made by completing the Request for Account Adjustment Form (PDF). Forms are available from the Lunchroom Cashier or Kitchen Manager. Forms may additionally be requested from the Nutrition Services office at (425) 456-4507 or nutrition@bsd405.org.

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Where can I find a school breakfast and lunch menu?

Menus for elementary, middle and high schools are available on the Menus & Nutritional Information page.

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Which schools offer breakfast?

  • Elementary: Ardmore, Lake Hills, , Phantom Lake, Sherwood Forest, Stevenson and Wilburton. Clyde Hill is launching pilot breakfast program beginning 4/3/23
  • Middle: Chinook, Highland, Odle and Tyee.
  • High: Interlake, Newport and Sammamish.

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A child has a special dietary need. May they still participate in the school meal program at their school?

Yes, but a Diet Prescription, completed by the child’s physician, must be submitted to Nutrition Services first to ensure that proper foods are provided. Families and students can access nutritional fact and allergen information on the Nutrition Services website.

Diet Prescription forms may be downloaded from the Food Allergies & Special Dietary Needs page.

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How do I contact Bellevue’s Nutrition Services Department?

Nutrition Services office hours are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

Nutrition Services
12037 NE 5th St.
Bellevue, WA 98005
(425) 456-4507
(425) 456-4586 fax
nutrition@bsd405.org

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Nutrition Services
The Bellevue School District acknowledges that we learn, work, live and gather on the Indigenous Land of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Duwamish and Snoqualmie Tribes. We thank these caretakers of this land, who have lived and continue to live here, since time immemorial.