ParentSquare
PHM School Meal Program 2025-2026
P-H-M school meals are healthy, well-balanced and tasty as well as providing students the nutrition they need to succeed at school. School menus are posted here and at Schoolcafe.com.
School meals offer students milk, fruits and vegetables, proteins and whole grains, and they must meet strict limits on saturated fat, sodium and portion size. A detailed analysis of lunch entrees can be found on Schoolcafe.com.
Breakfast Programs are offered at all PHM schools. The breakfast price is $1.50 for elementary students and $1.75 for secondary students. Free lunch students receive free breakfast. Reduced Breakfast is $.30.
Lunch Program – Students in all schools are offered many choices that they can combine into a complete lunch. The complete lunch includes 1 Entrée, fruit, vegetable, and milk. Students must take at least 1 fruit or vegetable but may take both or 2 fruits or 2 vegetables. Students not selecting a minimum of 3 items will be charged Ala Carte for the items chosen. Students choosing more than 1 Entrée and 3 sides will be charged on an Ala Carte basis for the additional items. Meal prices are $2.65 for elementary, $2.90 for middle and high schools. Approved free students will receive lunch for free and reduced lunch is 40 cents. Elementary students are required to purchase a complete lunch unless the student has brought their lunch from home.
Snack Purchases – A variety of snacks and drinks meeting the new “Smart Snacks” regulation are offered to students. Snack purchases are limited in the elementary and middle schools as follows: Elementary students are limited to one snack and one additional drink per day. Middle School students are limited to two snack purchases and one additional drink per day. Parents can block snack purchases by going to Schoolcafe.com when putting money on their child’s debit card. Snack prices at the elementary range from $.50 to $1.50. Ala-carte at the middle and high schools is from $.50 to $3.50.
Debit Cards – This is an easy to use option so your child does not need to bring money daily. You may pay online at Schoolcafe.com or send cash or check into the school. Please specify your child’s name and “lunch money” on the envelope. You may register your child on Schoolcafe.com to monitor their purchases. Please keep in mind that per district policy, refunds are only made for $20.00 or more. We are always happy to move money between student accounts.
Free/Reduced Meal and Textbook Applications can be complete online at SchoolCafe.com. You can access this by computer or mobile device. After the application is approved, you can print off confirmation letters from the website. If you are unable to complete an online application, paper applications are available at each school.
Meal Charges – Please make sure your child has meal money daily. Charges are not allowed for à la carte items that are packaged. Please click here to see the Meal Charge policy for details.
SchoolCafe
Breakfast
*See the list above to see what P-H-M schools serve breakfast.
- Elementary: $1.35
- Middle and High School: $1.60
- Reduced Price for all eligible students: $0.30
- Click Here for Free/Reduced Application
- Adult Price: $2.50
Lunch
- Elementary: $2.50
- Middle and High School: $2.75
- Reduced Price for eligible students: $0.40
- Click Here for Free/Reduced Application
- Adult Price: $4.60
Snacks & À la carte
Snacks at the elementary range from $.50 to $1.50 each.
À la carte purchases at the middle and high schools range from $.50 to $3.50.
Payment Options
You can pay for child’s meals online using a debit or credit card or by cash or check at the school. Click here for more details on the payment options.
Meal Charges Guidelines
The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) requires school food authorities to establish written administrative guidelines for meal charges. Penn Harris Madison School Corporation will adhere to the following meal charge guidelines:
- Cafeteria purchases are to be prepaid before meal service begins or at the Point of Sale either by credit or debit card or EFT using the foodservice online payment system, by cash or check at the point of sale or in the individual school office.
- A student may charge up to three (3) meals maximum (one charge per meal) as long as they establish and maintain a good credit history of making payments on their foodservice accounts.
- A staff member may charge up to $3.00 as long as they establish and maintain a good credit history of making payments on their foodservice accounts.
- A student who has charged a meal may not charge or purchase “ala carte” item(s), including extra main entrees.If they do take extra food from the serving line that is not pre-packaged your students account will be charged and you are responsible for the charges.
- Schools may deny a meal to a student who pays reduced or full price and who does not provide the required payment for that meal following three charged meals. The student and the parent must be notified at least 48 hours in advance that future meals will be denied. The Site Leader will keep a record of notifications.
- The Site Leader or other school personnel will coordinate communications with the parent(s)/guardian(s) to resolve the matter of unpaid charges.
- If food and nutrition services staff suspects that a student may be abusing this policy, written notice will be provided to the parent(s)/guardian(s) that if he/she continues to abuse this policy, the privilege of charging meals may be refused.
- The Site leader will send home or email letters at least once each week to parents of students who have negative balances. The site leader will also make phone calls at least twice a week to all parents of students who have negative balances. Families may also check balances on SchoolCafe.com
- All accounts must be settled at the end of a school year. Letters will be sent home approximately five (5) days before the last day of school to students who have any negative balances. Negative balances of more than $10.00 not paid in full thirty (30) days prior to the start of the following school year will force the District to take action to collect unpaid funds by means of collection agencies, small claims court, or any other legal method deemed necessary by the District. The United States Department of Agriculture does not allow school nutrition programs to write-off debt.
- Refunds of meal account balances will be made through a check mailed to the student address on record. To request a refund call or email the Food Service Office at 574-254-2814 or mjaroch@phm.k12.in.us. Refunds will only be processed for balances of $20.00 or more unless the student is approved for free or reduced meals. You may request a transfer of any amount to be moved to another student account.
- This information will be shared with parents on the PHM website and through the first day of school packet. It will also be shared with appropriate school staff.
