School Menus & Child Nutrition

Welcome to QCUSD’s Child Nutrition Department!

At the heart of student achievement is good nutrition. The mission of our Child Nutrition Department is to serve healthy, nourishing meals that empower students to thrive academically, physically, and emotionally.

QCUSD Child Nutrition Program - Nourish, Empower, ThriveWe are committed to:

  • Providing access to balanced meals that support student health and development
  • Promoting lifelong healthy eating habits
  • Creating a welcoming, positive food environment
  • Maintaining the highest standards of food safety and quality
  • Partnering with families, staff, and the community
  • Supporting local agriculture by prioritizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients

Together, we’re building strong minds and healthy futures—one meal at a time.

Child Nutrition Inquiry Form

If you have questions about your student’s meal account, our menus, or something else child nutrition-related, please fill out the CN Parent/Guardian Inquiry form. We will get back to you in one business day.

Menus and Nutritional Guidelines

There are two ways to look at our menus:

To view nutrition details for every menu item and filter meals by specific food allergens, visit our LINQ Connect page.

To view/print a copy of the monthly menu, please click on the links below:

Special Diets

If your child has a medical dietary need that requires food to be different or modified, please email our nutritionist, Bailey Hanson. Please have the Special Diet form filled out and signed by your doctor. Please feel free to call our office at 480-987-7485.

Nutritional Guidelines

We proudly participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program (SBP), following all USDA guidelines to ensure our meals are nutritious, balanced, and student-friendly. Our menus are carefully planned to meet strict standards for calories, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and milk, while limiting sodium, saturated fat, and added sugars.

In addition, we are actively working toward meeting Arizona’s new regulations regarding food dyes and other additives in school meals. Our team is reviewing ingredients and collaborating with vendors to offer cleaner, more wholesome options that align with these important health standards.

We are committed to providing meals that support students’ health, learning, and long-term well-being. Visit the USDA Food and Nutrition Service page for more information.

Smart Snacks Compliance

We are committed to supporting the health and well-being of students by ensuring that all snacks and beverages offered through our program meet the USDA Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards. These regulations help promote healthy eating habits by setting limits on calories, sodium, sugar, and fat while encouraging whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy. Our team carefully reviews each product to ensure full compliance and a balanced approach to student nutrition. Please see the Smart Snacks in School flyer for more information.

Free and Reduced-Priced Meal Applications

Completing a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application is a simple but important step that helps ensure your child has access to healthy, nutritious meals at school. These applications also help support funding for educational programs and services that benefit all students.

You can apply online or download and print a paper application using the links below. We encourage all families to apply—even if you’re unsure whether you qualify. All information is kept confidential.

Start your application today and help us continue providing nutritious meals to every student, every day.

Meal Payments, Balances, and Student Refund Form

Parents and guardians can add money to their student’s meal account in two convenient ways:

  • Cash or Check: Send cash or a check with your student to school. Payments can be turned in directly at the cafeteria.
  • Online Payment: Easily add funds online to your child’s meal account through LINQ Connect. Please note that a small convenience fee applies to online transactions. If you are having issues with the LINQ account, please call LINQ Connect at 844-467-4700.

No-Money Meal Policy

We also want to make families aware of the district’s No-Money Meal Policy: each household may charge up to two meals to their account. After that, students will be provided an alternative meal consisting of a cheese sandwich on whole grain bread, fruit, vegetables, and milk.

To help families stay informed, email notifications are sent as soon as a negative balance occurs. To avoid interruptions in meal service, please ensure your child has sufficient funds in their account. Thank you for supporting our efforts to provide healthy meals to all students.

Meal Limits and Restrictions

Parents have the option to limit the amount of money their child can spend or restrict the number of meals or snacks they can purchase. To set these preferences, please update your family account in LINQ Connect or email us at [email protected], and we’ll be happy to set it up for you.

Support a Student in Need

We now offer an opportunity to donate to our Angel Account, which helps cover negative meal balances for families facing financial hardship. If you would like to contribute or have questions, please email us at [email protected].

Thank you for partnering with us to support student health and success!

Student Meal Account Refunds

If you would like to request a refund from your student’s LINQ account, please complete the Student Refund form.

Refunds will be processed upon receipt of your completed form. Approximately two weeks after processing, a check will be mailed to the address you provide.

Local Wellness Policy

We are committed to creating a school environment that promotes the health, well-being, and academic success of all students. Our Wellness Policy outlines goals and guidelines related to nutrition education, physical activity, and the availability of healthy food options during the school day.

We believe that fostering healthy habits in childhood leads to lifelong wellness. Our policy is reviewed regularly with input from parents, staff, and community members to ensure it reflects current best practices and supports the needs of our students.

If you are interested in joining our Wellness Policy Committee and helping shape our district’s approach to student wellness, please email Bailey Hanson.

View our full Wellness Policy to learn more.

View our meeting agendas:

Smart Snacks and Arizona Healthy Schools Act

School Fundraiser Guidelines

All foods and beverages sold or served to students during the school day must comply with USDA Smart Snacks standards and the Arizona Healthy Schools Act. This applies to school meal programs, fundraisers, vending machines, school stores, and school-wide events or celebrations. Single classroom celebrations are addressed separately below.

View the Smart Snack Standards & Arizona Healthy Schools Act Q&A.

Additional Resources

QCUSD has developed lists of compliant foods and beverages that meet USDA Smart Snacks Standards and comply with the Arizona Healthy Schools Act. These resources are intended to support schools, parents, PTOs, and clubs in identifying appropriate items for school-related activities.

Items are categorized into two guides: one for products available for purchase through the Child Nutrition Department and another for suggested items typically available at grocery stores.

The Child Nutrition Department also offers birthday packages as a fun and convenient option for classroom celebrations.

Please use the links below to access these resources:

Final responsibility for ensuring compliance rests with the site or organization.

Per the district’s Local Wellness Policy, all food brought onto campus for student consumption during classroom celebrations must originate from commercial grocery or food service stores or from other commercial kitchens certified to comply with Maricopa County Environmental Service regulations.

Catering

We offer catering for events both inside and outside of the district. Whether it’s a meeting, celebration, or special occasion, we’re here to provide delicious, nutritious meals tailored to your needs.

Catering Menu

View our full catering menu and pricing.

Student Birthday Packages

We also offer birthday packages for students during the school day—a fun and convenient way to celebrate special moments with classmates!

Please provide at least a two-week advance notice for all orders to ensure availability and proper planning.

Cancellation Policy

Please notify us at least 48 hours in advance if you need to cancel your order. Cancellations made less than 48 hours before scheduled delivery will incur a 40% cancellation fee.

Questions or special menu requests?
Contact us anytime at [email protected].

Civil Rights

Free language assistance, auxiliary aids, and/or accommodations are available upon request.

Nondiscrimination Statement

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form online, or obtain a form from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

  1. Mail:
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
  2. Fax:
    (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
  3. Email:
    [email protected]

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This institution is an equal opportunity provider.