Food & Nutrition Department

Quick Links

School Cafe
Breakfast & Lunch Menus
Meal Payments
Free & Reduced
SEP Meal Guidelines
Contact
Resources

Feeding the Future

The Southeast Polk Food Service and Nutrition Department serves approximately 7,000 nutritious meals per day at a reasonable price to students and faculty members and guests. The Department’s team efforts help sustain students during the school day, helping to enhance learning and growth.

Food served at Southeast Polk school cafeterias is prepared and served by well-trained staff who meet all local, state and federal regulations to meet USDA nutritional requirements and ensure food safety.

Our nearly 60 skilled staff members prepare meals to help fuel our students to excel in school. Southeast Polk students rely on the healthy meals provided daily to succeed.

Schoolcafe badge
School Cafe App – All School Menus and More!

  • Most up-to-date school menus for all buildings
  • Nutritional information for menu items
  • Build-a-tray feature- Calculates the total nutritional value for a full meal
  • Can register or view menus as guest

Parents and students can download the free school cafe app to any mobile device

Students Can:
  • View account balance
  • View breakfast and lunch menus
  • Rate and share feedback on menu items
Parents can:
  • View account balance
  • View purchase history
  • Set spending limits
  • Set low balance notifications
  • View breakfast and lunch menus
  • Meal eligibility application can be completed on the app

Meal Payments

Setting Low Balance Notifications
How to make an online meal deposit
Online Meal deposit auto – replenishment

Free & Reduced Meals at SEP

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free lunches to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

Families can apply for Free/Reduced price meal benefits at any time throughout the school year. If you need assistance paying for meals, please submit an application. Applications are available year-round. If you have a change in income, you can always reapply. Applications are available electronically through School Café.

2 ways to submit:
1. Online from a computer at schoolcafe.com
2. Download the SchoolCafe by PrimeroEdge app for your smartphone *
*We recommend the phone app as the app also allows you to see your child(ren)’s meal purchases, set low balance alerts and set spending limits. You can also see instantly what your child(ren)’s meal eligibility is. After submittal, click on Eligibility Info on the left panel.

A few items you will need to help make the process easy and have a successful submittal:

  1. Your child(ren)’s name and date of birth. Helpful information would be your child(ren)’s school ID and the school they will be attending this Fall. This can be found on your Campus Portal. Most students grades 6 – 12th grade know this number as it is their lunch PIN number.
  2. You must register for SchoolCafe. Here are step-by-step instructions to complete your registration.
  3. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application. English Instructions and Spanish Instructions.

*If you are not able to complete the online application and are needing a paper version, please email [email protected] or call 515-957-3432

Need a different language translation of the application? Follow this link to find 49 translations.

Application Packet Materials

Free and Reduced Guidelines

Children may receive free or reduced price meals if your household’s income is at or below the federal limits that are set each year. If your child/children qualify for free or reduced-price meals, you may also be eligible for food assistance benefits from the State of Iowa, Department of Human Services (DHS).

Once your application has been received by the food service department, please allow up to 10 business days for approval of the application. A confirmation letter of approval or denial will be emailed or mailed once the application has been reviewed.

Breakfast Lunch
Student Meal $1.90 $3.00
Reduced Eligible Student Meal $0.30 $0.40
2nd Full Meal $2.50 $5.00
Extra Entrée $2.70
Adult or guest meal $2.50 $5.00
Milk $0.50 $0.50
Extra lunch fruit or veggie $1.10
Extra lunch dessert/grain $1.10

Breakfast Lunch
Student Meal $2.00 $3.05
Reduced Eligible Student Meal $0.30 $0.40
2nd Full Meal $2.50 $5.00
Extra Entrée $2.70
Adult or guest meal $2.50 $5.00
Milk $0.50 $0.50

Breakfast Lunch
Student Meal $2.05 $3.15
Reduced Eligible Student Meal $0.30 $0.40
2nd Full Meal $2.50 $5.00
Extra Entrée $2.70
Adult or guest meal $2.50 $5.00
Milk $0.50 $0.50

2025-26 A la Carte Pricing

Catering Request

Kitchen Use Request

Catering Price List

SEP Meal Guidelines

School meals are planned to include the appropriate servings of meat/meat alternate, breads/grains, fruits/vegetables, and milk. Meals are set-up as offer versus served, which means the student must select at least 3 and no more than 5 of the meal components offered at lunch and 3 of the 4 offered items at breakfast. Side orders of any components may be purchased “a la Carte” for an additional charge. Menus must follow guidelines set by the federal government and must meet nutritional goals when averaged over a school week.

School Breakfast Fact Sheet
School Lunch Fact Sheet
SEP Food & Nutrition Frequently Asked Questions

Southeast Polk School District Meal Information

Guidelines for Foods Sold During the School Day

The USDA has determined practical, science-based nutrition standards for snack foods and beverages sold to children at school during the school day (Smart Snacks).  The school day is considered 12 midnight the night before to 30 minutes after the end of the school day.  School fundraisers that include food and are sold to students during the school day must now meet the Smart Snacks nutrition guidelines.

Contact the Southeast Polk Food & Nutrition Department

[mo_ldap_directory title='Director of Food and Nutrition' building='Junior High']
Staff Title Phone Email
Brandy Jankowski Administrative Assistant (515) 957-3432 [email protected]
Amy Vitiritto Head Cook
Altoona Elementary		 (515) 967-3771 [email protected]
Mackenzie Boyles Head Cook
Centennial Elementary		 (515) 967-2109 [email protected]
Kellie Edwards Head Cook
Clay Elementary		 (515) 967-4198 [email protected]
Renea Gray Head Cook
Delaware Elementary		 (515) 262-3197 [email protected]
Charity Draper Head Cook
Four Mile Elementary		 (515) 265-1972 [email protected]
Darcy Larson Head Cook
Mitchellville Elementary		 (515) 967-4274 [email protected]
Lori Mcfadden Head Cook
Runnells Elementary		 (515) 966-2068 [email protected]
Amanda Brcka Head Cook
Willowbrook Elementary		 (515) 967-7512 [email protected]
Geraldine Donovan Head Cook
Middle School		 (515) 967-5533 [email protected]
Debra Mcgee Head Cook
Jr. High		 (515) 967-5509 [email protected]
Dawn Hallem Head Cook
High School		 (515) 967-6631 [email protected]