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Meal Accounts & Payments

The state’s Free School Meals program begins the 2023-24 school year. Every K-12 student may receive one breakfast and one lunch at no cost during the school year. Minnesota’s Free School Meals program and federal funding will cover the cost of breakfast and lunch for in-person students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as for pre-kindergarten students who attend elementary schools.

Families will still need to submit an application for educational benefits, now called the Alternate Application for Educational Benefits, to receive additional benefits. 

Apply for Educational Benefits

All families are encouraged to submit an Alternate Application for Educational Benefits to determine if students qualify to receive reduced or waived athletic and activities fees, reduced transportation fees, discounts on internet service, emergency food benefits, and more.

 The application is also available in school buildings. Families will be notified whether or not they qualify for benefits. Until an application is approved and notice has been received, parents/guardians are responsible for providing meals from home or money for school meals.

Make a Payment

All food, beverage, and meals are to be pre-paid before service begins. Once a student's meal account falls below $0 (zero dollars), we will follow the Student Unpaid Meal Charges Procedure. We are committed to ensuring all students can succeed at school, therefore we will not deny a student a meal, even if their meal account is below $0.

Pay Online

Depositing money into accounts is best accomplished using PayPAMS. It takes between 24 and 72 hours to get funds into the student account at the school. There is no fee to parents/guardians for using the online payment system.

Pay by Check

Checks may also be sent to school with your student and placed in the check deposit box or given to the Food Service Manager. Checks should be made out to ISD 191 Food Service. Please write the name of the student and their PIN on the memo line of your check. Cash may also be sent with your student, however, we discourage this practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Unpaid Meal Accounts

Contact Us

AMY TERWILLIGER

ACE L4 ADMIN ASST/SPECIALIST

School Meals

Learn about nutritional information and meal pricing.

Meal Pricing Info

PIN Pads

When a student registers in District 191, the Food and Nutrition Services department creates a meal account for the student with a unique personal identification number (PIN). The student enters this PIN into a keypad at the cashier station in the cafeteria to pay for meals and a la carte foods and beverages. Students keep the same PIN from year to year while enrolled in the district.

Practice using a PIN Pad for school meals.

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