Food and Nutrition
For questions regarding the lunch program, please email lunch@mpcsd.org.
Menlo Park City School District offers free breakfast and lunch to all students through the Universal Meal Program for the 2025-2026 school year. Students may bring lunch from home or enjoy a school meal - no pre-ordering required.
Meals are provided by The LunchMaster using a “grab and go” bulk order format. Menu items are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but all participating students will receive a meal. Popular selections are offered daily, and menus are selected by MPCSD staff based on each school site's preferences.
Please note that not all menu options will be available at every campus, so students should come prepared with backup choices and be flexible with what's offered. If you're concerned your child may not eat the available options, consider packing a lunch from home.
MPCSD's lunch program relies on volunteers to help serve lunch every day. Beginning November 1, 2025, lunch volunteers will need to be fingerprinted to continue volunteering. Please read more at Volunteering and Coaching in MPCSD.
Families that have students in the Early Learning Center should see the ELC menu calendar directly, as ELC campuses have different choices available..
FAQ
How does the grab-and-go lunch program work?
- Menu selections DO NOT need to be made in advance. Families do not order via the LunchMaster website.
- Daily selections will include vegan and gluten free options. The daily menu will be posted at school.
- Students will enter the lunch line and select what they want to eat on that day. Students will enter the first three letters of their last name when checking out a lunch. Younger students will have assistance as needed.
- Choices will be available on a first come, first served basis. Please note we always have a compliant meal of cereal, fruit and milk available.
Why is the district using the bulk order format?
Bulk ordering allows the district to reduce food waste, ease the ordering burden for families, and reduce the amount of required volunteer hours to keep the program running successfully.
What do parents/guardians need to do for their child to access the Optional School Lunch Program?
Nothing! Please tell your child to go to their school’s food line. All students have access to breakfast and lunch meals each day through this program, free of charge.
My child has allergies. How will they know what foods they can and can not have?
The Optional School Lunch Program is a free and optional lunch program that is run by school staff and parent volunteers. Given that the law prohibits schools from sharing student health information, including allergies, with volunteers, it's important to educate your child on their food allergies. Allergens will be listed on the daily menu for students to view. Kitchen staff is there to assist students with choices suited to their needs.
My child has never used the school’s lunch program. Can they start now?
Yes. Your child may come to the food line during breakfast and lunch hours and choose their meal for that day.
Are there any nuts in any of the lunches?
The LunchMaster is a nut-free facility.