Festus R6 School District

Food Service Program Goal
It is the goal of the Festus R-VI Food Service Program to provide wholesome and appetizing school meals to district students.  School meals contribute to good nutrition, which is vital to mental and physical growth during the formative years.

The school food service program operates on a non-profit basis and is self-supporting.   Local food service revenue is local district revenue used to offset program expenses.  Parents are responsible for their child's balances.

Food Service Account Information

Meal prices for the 2025-2026 school year are

Breakfast

Grades K-6: $1.70

Grades 7-12: $1.75

Reduced meal price: $0.20

Lunch

Grades K-6: $3.05

Grades 7-12: $3.10

Reduced meal price: $0.40

Ala carte items, when available, and extra milk or juice cost extra.

Students with a negative lunch balance will receive a meal, but will NOT be allowed to buy extra items.  Lunch balances are expected to be paid in full as soon as possible.  Students will not receive their diploma after their senior year unless lunch balances are paid in full.

The Food Service Department and the child's building attendance center will work with any family having financial difficulty who expresses such and establishes an agreed upon time line to makeup payments that may be in arrears. 
 

Food Service Account & Notification Efforts
Students will be provided with their balances at the register upon request.  Students may inquire as to the status of their food service account balance anytime.  Parents may access their child’s food service account and other pertinent information in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.   When a student’s lunch balance reaches $5 or below an automated message will be sent via ParentSquare every Wednesday.  Negative balance conversations and any correspondence will be handled with discretion.

Principals are encouraged to assist in the collection of charges or to communicate any known information that may be of assistance to the Food Service Department.
        After three written and/or verbal notifications to parents regarding delinquent accounts with no response or deposit of funds, the Division of Family Services may be contacted.
        A Free and Reduced Meal benefit application will be offered to any child who exceeds the accumulated charge limit or who demonstrates consistent payment difficulties.  A Free and Reduced Meal application may be submitted anytime during the school year.

Food Service Payment Information
 All student money deposits should be brought to the child's school attendance center in envelopes.  The envelope should have the students name, grade, teacher, and amount of money written on the outside of the envelope.  Grade K-3 students should give their money to their teacher at the beginning of the school day.  Students in grades 4-12 should turn their money into the food service cashier in the morning before school begins.  High school students must turn their money into the cashier by 9:00am in order to be given credit on their account that day.  Payment may be made in the form of cash, check(post dated checks will not be accepted),money order or cash, however sending cash is discouraged.   The school is not responsible for money sent with your child, especially cash.  Checks or money orders should be made payable to Festus R-VI Food Service.  When making deposits to a meal account the entire amount of the check or cash will be deposited to the student’s meal account.  No portion of the deposit can be given to the student or entered into another school account.  The district parent portal also offers an online payment option as another means for depositing funds into your childs account.

You must have the following to pay online:

·         Parent Portal Account

·         Internet Access

·         Debit/Credit Card/check account information

**online payment is available using the Infinite Campus Parent Portal**

 Please contact the Food Service Office if you have questions regarding Parent Portal Access or using the online payment.

In the event a check is returned for insufficient funds, the person responsible will be contacted.  Arrangements will need to be made to repay the insufficient funds check either by cash payment or money order, there is a $15.00 fee for each check that is returned.   This payment will need to be made directly to the District Food Service Office located in the Elementary building.  Failure to take care of an insufficient funds check will result in the check being turned over to the prosecuting attorney's office.

In order to maintain service, money cannot be deposited into students accounts during lunch.  Money deposits received after the days deposit is complete for the day will be entered into the students account the following morning.

At the close of the school year, any credits or debts will be carried into the next school year.  In the event that a student leaves the District, the parent may request a refund of the student's balance.  A check will be mailed to the parent from the Central Office.  Seniors with credit will be refunded on their last day of attendance unless the parent requests that any remaining funds be transferred to a sibling.
 

Free and Reduced Meal Application Process
Parents are encouraged to apply for free or reduced priced meals.  Every family that completes a Free and Reduced Meal Application will recieve free Chromebook insurance.  Approval is determined by household size and income.  A Free and Reduced Meal application may be submitted anytime during the school year.  All information contained in the application is considered confidential.  Applications may be obtained through any building attendance center or the Food Service Office in the Elementary School or in the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

Contact

Questions regarding the Festus R-VI Food Service Program may be directed to the Food Service Department located in the Elementary Building. 

Phone:  636-937-7747