Q: How can I find out what my child’s account balance is?
A: Simply call your schools cafeteria and ask the kitchen staff to print a meal history and send it home with your child or have faxed it to you. You may also call the Food Service Office at 323-5155, we can print one and either mail, fax or e-mail it to you.

Q: Is the fresh food bar available to all students who purchase lunch?
A: Yes, the food bar is available to all students who purchase a lunch from the school that day. The fruit of the day is always placed on the food bar and a small salad can be substituted for the vegetable of the day. The food bar is filled with salad mix, fresh vegetables, fresh and canned fruit, as well as trail mix.

Q: I see Chicken Nuggets and French Fries on the menu, are you frying foods in my child’s school?
A: No, all elementary foods are either baked, steamed or cooked in a steam jacketed kettle (depending on the item). Potato products are all baked.

Q: Where can I get an application for free and reduced meal benefits?
A: Your school office has applications, or you may obtain one from this website. On the Food Group home page, select the Free and Reduce Meal Application link. You can print the application, then fill it out and mail it to the Food Service Department at 8111 S. Westnedge Ave., Portage, MI 49002 or drop it off at your child’s school office. Only signed original applications are accepted. Faxed or e-mailed applications are not allowed by law.

Q: When can I expect to hear whether my child will receive meal benefits?
A: Meal benefit applications are processed in the order that they are received. If you have not received a letter from our office providing you with this information, you should continue to pay for you child’s lunch. Any meals consumed prior to approval of meal benefits are the financial responsibility of the parent or guardian.

Q: My child qualifies for meal benefits at lunch, they offer breakfast at our school, does that mean my child can eat breakfast at the same benefit level?
A: Yes, their lunch benefits also apply at breakfast, and we would love to have your child eat breakfast with us.

Q: My child receives meal benefits. What are they entitled to?
A: With meal benefits, your child receives one reimbursable meal for breakfast and one for lunch. If they would like additional meals, entrees, juice or milk, they may purchase those at the published price.

Q: What is “offer vs serve”?
A: Portage Public Schools participates in an “offer vs serve” format through the National School Lunch Program. With this program, of the 5 components offered daily (entrée/protein, bread, vegetable, fruit and milk) students are required to choose at a minimum of 3 components. Students are encouraged to choose all 5 items to provide a balanced meal.

Q: What is a Balanced Choice Meal?
A: This is our signature comprehensive wellness program, teaching students and the school community how to make sound choices for a healthy lifestyle. This award-winning program provides nutrition education and a meal guidance system for students which assist them in making the most nutritious options when selecting meals, snacks, and beverages at school. Each meal selection meets precise nutrition criteria and incorporates more whole grains, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables and low-fat options into the menu.