School Meal Information

Select a topic below to learn more.

Student Meal Accounts

Each school cafeteria has a computerized debit system which allows parents to deposit money on their child’s very own cafeteria account. Students enter their assigned pin number at the cashier’s station where meals and à la carte purchases are then subtracted from the student’s account. Cash is always accepted, although parents may also make deposits online utilizing LINQ Connect. LINQ Connect is an online payment service that provides parents & guardians the ability to securely pay for meals, monitor student cafeteria purchases and receive email notifications for low account balances. This site is free to use, however, please note that there is a fee assessed when using this service to deposit funds into an account.

LINQ Connect

Student Meal Account Refund Request

Meal Pricing

Breakfast	Reduced-Price Breakfast	Elementary Lunch	Secondary Lunch	Reduced-Price Lunch	Student Milk
$1.65	$0.30	$2.65	$2.80	$0.40	$0.55

Nutrislice Menus and App

Insufficient Meal Funds Procedures

What happens if my student arrives at school without food or money to purchase a meal?

(Excerpt from Administrative Procedure 4305.1 Regarding the Child Nutrition Program)

We appreciate having the opportunity to serve your students. To help us serve them efficiently, Parents/Guardians are expected to ensure meal account funds are kept current. To assist parents/guardians with monitoring student account purchases and balances, they are strongly encouraged to register online at LINQ Connect. This site also has a low balance notification service (free), allows parents/guardians to set spending limits (free), and provides the ability for one-time or automated meal account payment options (fee applies).

THE PROCEDURE BELOW APPLIES EVERY DAY SCHOOL IS IN SESSION

CCPS strives to provide nutritionally balanced meals to students daily, even if they occasionally run out of money on their account or forget to bring money to purchase a meal. As a courtesy, students who have insufficient funds on their account will be allowed to borrow for the regularly scheduled meal as listed on the menu. There will be no borrowing for à la carte/snack purchases.

When borrowing occurs, the primary contact on file for the student will be notified via an automated email message. Messages will be sent via the Cafeteria meal management system and will include information about the amount borrowed as well as a reminder that the parent/guardian is responsible for repaying the amount owed as soon as possible. The amount owed is to be repaid directly to the cafeteria and may be done via check, cash, or by depositing funds online at LINQ Connect.

Students may always purchase a meal with "cash in hand" regardless of the amount owed.

As a courtesy, students will be notified by the cashier when their account balance drops below $5.00. Parents/guardians may also set up their own low balance notifications online at LINQ Connect

Households are encouraged to submit a meal benefit application each year to see if they qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits. Both free and reduced-price meal benefits provide meals at no cost to families. Meal benefit applications are welcome anytime throughout the year.

If occurrences become excessive and the debt remains unpaid, school administration in conjunction with the Student Services Department, will work with the family or local agency regarding follow-up.

School administration or designee will work with parent/guardian to reclaim unpaid debt by the end of the school year.

Information regarding the CCPS Insufficient Meal Funds will be provided in writing to households upon request (443-550-8680) and is available on the Child Nutrition department section of the Calvert County Public Schools website.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Free and/or Reduced Price Meal Eligibility (FARMs)

Some students may qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Eligibility is typically determined by household size and income. Household Meal Benefit Applications are sent home with each student at the beginning of the school year and are available on the school system website. Parents need only submit one application per household if they believe their children qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Please feel free to submit a Free and Reduced Meal Benefit Application any time during the year!

Please note: Applications will not be accepted for an upcoming school year until July 1. Do not complete an application for an upcoming school year before July 1.

Contact Us

Questions, suggestions, or comments? Please email them to the Child Nutrition Department.

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