Cafeteria FAQs

Question: What is a reimbursable breakfast or lunch? Answer: A breakfast or lunch in which the proper choices are made according the guidelines set up by the State of Texas.
Breakfast • A meat/meat alternate or Bread/Grain (A) • A meat/meat alternate or Bread/Grain (B) • fruit or fruit juice (4oz) • milk From the list above a student on our free or reduced program needs to make the proper choices, they only need to choose 3 or 4 items. But, one of the items must be a milk, juice, or fruit. Example: 2 pancakes and milk is a tray 1 pizza and juice is a tray		Acceptable for free / reduced lunch Acceptable because fruit is included
Question: What if the student only wants a pizza for breakfast? Answer: Then that child will be charged ala carte price, regardless of the fact that they are on a food program. If the child gets a pizza only, they will be charged 75 cents. This is the breakfast pizza price.		Acceptable because milk is included

Lunch • A meat/meat alternate • (A) A vegetable or fruit • (B) A vegetable or fruit • A bread/grain • Milk From the list above a student needs to choose 3, 4, or 5 items. A child does not have to have milk at lunch, except with sack lunches! Out of the choices offered, a student cannot choose two potato items or one will be charged ala carte price.		Acceptable - includes meat / meat alternative, vegetable, fruit and milk
Question: What if the child just wants a chick filet sandwich? Answer: That child will be charged a $1.25 Question: How will the student know what counts for two items or one? Answer: There are some items that count for two items. Included, but not limited to the list are: pizza, chick filet (regular or spicy), burgers, hoagie sandwiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, hot dogs, breakfast pizza, and breakfast taco.		Not acceptable - does not include 3 - 5 items, including milk
When in doubt, ask the servers, cashiers, assistant managers, and managers. As you can see, making the right choices at meal times can make a difference when it comes to spending money. By law we cannot tell children what to eat or what food to choose, but when we find out that they are on a food program we do ask the students would they like to make another choice. If they decline, they must be charged ala carte prices. You are more than welcome to pick up a menu. All of the above information is listed on the menu with other helpful advice throughout the year.		Acceptable - counted as 3 items, as pizza counts for 2; includes milk Not acceptable - charged ala carte price for pizza
Question: Do middle schools send charge cards home? Answer: No. It is now the student’s responsibility to keep up with how much they are spending and when they run out of money. Question: Does the cafeteria allow charging? Answer: No, Zachry Middle School is a no charge school. Question: My child was free/reduced Monday and today is Tuesday They were told they had to pay money. Why? Answer: Program statuses change daily. Here on campus, the food manager has nothing to do with that. Once it is downloaded from the Free and Reduce office, unless you update your application or provide the necessary documents, nothing can be done on this side. The food manager will try to assist as best she can. Her first question will be “have you updated your application for the current year and did you turn in all necessary documents?” If you answered "yes", her next step would be to call Free and Reduced Lunch office; they would pull your account up and see what the status is.		Acceptable - counted as 3 items, as Chick Fillet counts for 2; includes milk Acceptable - counted as 3 items, as Chick Fillet counts for 2; includes fruit
Question: I was told on sack lunch days the student has to select milk and the student does not drink milk. Answer: Because of policies of NISD, yes, on sack lunch days each child must select milk. If there is a medical reason why the student should not have milk, this must be documented by a physician. I need a note from the doctor’s office stating the child cannot have milk, that note is to go to the nurse’s office, then it comes to me and the child’s account will be noted that they do not have to have milk. Without the note, the child will be required to pick up a milk.