Food Services
Healthy Meals. Healthy Minds.
Pickerington Schools Food Services is made up of dedicated child nutrition professionals focused on supporting our children's education one meal at a time! Feeding students healthy, nutritious food is key to their learning. A nutritious breakfast and healthy lunch nourishes the body, improves brain function, and allows children to concentrate on schoolwork. This is our recipe for success!
Meals, foods, and beverages sold or served in Pickerington Schools meet state and federal requirements based on U.S. Department Of Agriculture (USDA) Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with healthy and fun food options, including salad bars and fresh-made pizza.
- Easy Ways to Pay for Meals
- Special Meal Accommodations
- Non-Discrimination Statement
- SUN Bucks
- Pre Payment Options
- Nutrition and Fitness
- Nutrition Education
- Wellness Policy
Easy Ways to Pay for Meals
- For the quickest way to pay, visit www.mypaymentsplus.com. You may use a credit card, debit card, or checking account to add funds to your learner's Cafeteria Account. Account setup is free and allows daily purchase history as well as AutoPay.
- My PaymentsPlus Helpline: 1-877-237-0946: Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. est.
- MyPaymentsPlus app is available on the AppStore for Apple iPhone and iPad. The Android App can be downloaded from Google Play Store. Sign up for Mobile Push Notification Alerts!
- Mail a check to Pickerington Food Service Department, 90 North East St., Pickerington, OH 43147. Include your child's name and student identification number on the check.
- Give a check or cash to the Food Service Cashier. Write the check to: Pickerington Food Service Department and include your child's name and student identification number on the check.
Special Meal Accommodations
MEAL SUBSTITUTIONS FOR MEDICAL OR SPECIAL DIETARY REASONS
Some children have special nutritional, dietary and feeding needs, including allergies and other dietary restrictions. Parents of children with special dietary needs should fill out the Special Diet Accommodation Form, and submit it to their school.
Some menu items may contain potential allergens. If you have a question concerning a food item, please call our office at 614-833-3645 for ingredient listings.
USDA Regulation 7 CFR Part 15b requires substitutions or modifications in school meals for children whose disabilities restrict their diets. A child with a disability must be provided substitutions in foods when that need is supported by a signed statement from a licensed physician.
In Cases of Food Allergy
Generally, children with food allergies or intolerances do not have a disability as defined under either Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or Part B of IDEA, and the school food service may, but is not required to, make food substitutions for them. However, when in the licensed physician’s assessment, food allergies may result in severe, life-threatening (anaphylactic) reactions, the child’s condition would meet the definition of “disability”, and the substitutions prescribed by the licensed physician must be made. Parents of children with intolerances please fill out the form.
School food service may make food substitutions, at their discretion, for individual children who do not have a disability, but who are medically certified as having a special medical or dietary need. Such determinations are only made on a case-by-case basis. This provision covers those children who have food intolerances or allergies, but do not have life-threatening reactions (anaphylactic reactions) when exposed to the food(s) to which they have problems.
Medical Statement for Children with Special Dietary Needs
Each special dietary request must be supported by a statement explaining the requested food substitution and must be signed by a recognized medical authority. The Medical Statement must include:
- An identification of the medical or other special dietary condition which restricts the child’s diet;
- The food or foods to be omitted from the child’s diet; and
- The food or choice of foods to be substituted.
Non-Discrimination Statement
Non-Discrimination 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 which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, 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:
- mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or - fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or - email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov
SUN Bucks
This summer, Ohio is offering a new program called 2025 Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) to help families buy food when school is out. If your household income is below 185% of the federal poverty level, your child may be eligible for this benefit.
How It Works:
- Each eligible child will receive a one-time $120 payment on a benefit card mailed to you.
- The card can be used to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other approved locations.
- If you receive more than $120 per child, do not use the extra benefits and call 1-866-244-0071, option 1 to report the error.
How to Apply:
- Apply online at sebt.ohio.gov by August 16 to receive benefits.
- You will need to provide your child’s name, school, date of birth, household members, household income, and mailing address.
- You do not need to provide documents when applying, but you may be asked to verify your information.
- This program will not affect your family’s immigration status.
Other Free Summer Meal Options:
Children under 18 can also receive free summer meals at meal sites near you. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or 1-877-8-HAMBRE, or text 914-342-7744 with the keyword “summer meals” to find a location.
If you have questions, contact the Summer EBT Helpline at 1-866-244-0071, option 1
Pre Payment Options
Pre-Payment Options
Please take advantage of the options to prepay your student's meal accounts. Prepaid meal accounts help the lunch lines go faster and gives students more time to eat, relax, and play. It also gives you the peace of mind of not having to worry about looking for lunch money every day or worry that it might get lost, stolen or used for other things other than lunch.
Please note that the My Payments Plus system will not be activated until approximately August 13, 2023.
If you don’t have an account yet
If you do not currently have a My Payments Plus account, take a moment and create a free account at www.MyPaymentsPlus.com. Obtaining a free parent account will give you 24/7 access to information such as the balance in your student’s school meal account and record of what they have purchased in the cafeteria.
Place money on your “MYPaymentsPlus” account
Go online or call (877) 237-0946. For a $2 fee, through MyPaymentsPlus, you are able to deposit funds directly into your student’s cafeteria account. Deposits can take place both on the MyPaymentsPlus website and via the mobile app.
If you prefer auto-payments, you have that ability as well. The system will even allow you to set the parameters for when you would like an auto-payment to take place.
Parent help line
The MyPaymentsPlus Support Team can be reached Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. EST at (877) 237-0946 or via email at: support@mypaymentsplus.com if you require assistance.
We also accept checks for meal payments
Pickerington Schools also accepts checks for payment of meals. Make checks payable to Pickerington Food Service Department. Please include the child’s name and ID# on the check.
If you have submitted a Free and Reduced Application once it is processed, you will receive an email from "Solana" with eligibility.
What Happens When the Account Has a Negative Balance?
Negative balance notices are sent home with elementary and middle school children weekly. Balances may also be checked at any time at www.MyPaymentsPlus.com or by calling the Food Service Office at 614833-3645. You will need your student’s pin number to check balances.
In addition to paying for student meals through MyPayments Plus, Pickerington Schools also accepts checks and cash for payment of meals. Make checks payable to Pickerington Food Service Department. Please include child’s name and ID# on the check.
While high school, junior high and middle school students are not permitted to charge, children in grades 1 thru 4 may charge up to $9.75 which is equal to 3 lunches. No extra items may be charged and no breakfast may be charged. Parents are strongly encouraged to pay off negative balances as they appear on their child's account.
Helpful Tips for My Payments Plus Student Meal Account
Setting up low-balance email notifications and auto payments online
Step one: Log-in to your account at: www.MyPaymentsPlus.com
Step two: Each of the customized settings have a button pertaining to that setting. Those buttons are “Low Balance Notifications,” “Auto Pay,” “Online Payment History,” and “Purchase History.”
Step three: By clicking either the “Low-Balance Notifications” button or the “Auto-Pay button,” you will then enter the dollar amount that you want to outline as the “lowest amount” your student’s account will hit before a low-balance e-mail notification or auto-payment is processed.
Step four: If your school offers both “Meal” and “General” accounts for their cafeteria deposits, be sure to click the box for the desired account in which you are referring to. (As a reminder, Meal accounts allow for one plated meal per lunch/breakfast, whereas the General account enables the student to eat multiple meals and a la carte options.)
Step five: Be sure to click “Save Changes” when you are finished.
Online Payments
Online payments are a simple, safe and secure way to make payments to your students account 24 hours a day at your convenience.
Send Check or Cash
You can always bring money personally or send it with your student. Please place it in an envelope marked clearly with your student's name, their ID #, their teacher's name, the $ amount and the check #. Turn in prepaid deposits to the cafeteria cashier(s) or school office.
Download and Print Out a pre-formatted #10 Envelope for making Deposits
If you choose to bring money to school personally or send it with your student, please put it in an envelope clearly marked with the student's first and last name, their ID #, their teacher's name, and the amount enclosed.
Nutrition and Fitness
Nutrition and Fitness
The winning recipe for a healthy lifestyle includes a combination of both good nutrition and physical activity. Your body needs a variety of nutrient rich foods to grow and prevent illness. And your body also needs to move and exercise every day.
Key things you need to know about leading a healthy lifestyle are:
- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
- Control portion sizes and never "supersize"
- Get active for at least 60 minutes, five times a week for ages 6-18
- Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs all together
Well-nourished students have higher test scores, increased school attendance, improved concentration, and improved classroom behavior. Students, who are physically fit, sleep better and are better able to handle the physical and emotional challenges that they encounter during the day.
Nutrition
Good nutrition leads to great academic performance
Your body needs healthy fuel to perform, to grow and to ward off illness and disease. Would you feed a million dollar racehorse junk food & soda? Of course not, so think about what you eat...because you are worth far more than a horse!
Good nutrition has a positive and direct impact on your ability to do well in school. When your nutritional needs are met, you have the cognitive energy to learn and achieve. You will be better prepared to learn, more likely to attend school, and are more apt to take advantage of learning opportunities.
Protein – Choose a variety of foods with lean protein
Protein is an indispensable nutrient and can be found throughout every tissue in our body. Protein is a vital source of energy but the most important function of protein is building and repairing tissue. We also need protein for our immune function, proteins transport vitamins and minerals throughout our body.
Grains – Make half of all the grains you eat whole grains
Eating grains, especially whole grains, provides health benefits. Dietary fiber from whole grains, may help reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes. Grains are important sources of many nutrients, including several B vitamins, magnesium and selenium.
Vegetables - Make at least half of your plate fruits and vegetables
Eating vegetables provides health benefits — people who eat more vegetables and fruits as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Vegetables provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.
Fruits – Make at least half of your plate fruits and vegetables
Eating fruit provides health benefits — people who eat more fruits and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet are likely to have a reduced risk of some chronic diseases. Fruits provide nutrients vital for health and maintenance of your body.
Dairy – Always choose fat-free or low-fat (1%) milk
Milk and dairy products are especially important to bone health during school aged years, when bone mass is being built. It provides important sources of calcium, potassium and vitamin D, and help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and help to lower blood pressure in adults.
Sports Nutrition
School aged athletes need to energize their bodies with good nutrition if they hope to perform their at their best. Whether it's playing football, swimming or jogging, athletes need to eat a nutritious, balanced diet to fuel their body. Good nutrition, like any sporting event, has basic ground rules and nothing affects your ability to compete more than good nutrition.
Eating the right foods helps you stay physically fit and reach your optimum performance. To reach your highest potential and maintain a winning edge, all of your body systems must be perfectly tuned using proper nutrition.
Eat a variety of Healthy Foods and stay Hydrated. The young bodies of student athletes are still growing. It is important to nourish that growth and fuel the demands of strenuous exercise and organized sports.
That translates into eating a variety of foods every day - grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, lean meats, and low fat dairy products. The base of the diet should come from carbohydrates in the form of starches and sugars. Fluids, especially water, are also important to the winning combination. Dehydration can stop even the finest athlete from playing his or her best game.
Eat enough Energy, Protein, Vitamins, Minerals and Fiber.
- Choose lots of brightly colored Fruits and Vegetables.
- Get plenty of Calcium. Calcium helps build healthy bones.
- Iron is important. Iron helps carry oxygen throughout the body. Iron-rich foods include red meat, chicken, tuna, salmon, eggs, dried fruits, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains.
- Protein for strength. Protein can help build muscles, along with regular training and exercise. Protein-rich foods include fish, lean red meat and poultry, dairy products, nuts, soy products, and peanut butter.
- Smart Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates or "carbs" provide energy for the body and are an important source of fuel for young athletics. However, there is no need for "carb loading" before a big game. Choose carbohydrates in whole-grain foods that are less processed and high in fiber, like pasta, brown rice, whole-grain bread, and cereal. Fiber also helps lower cholesterol and may help prevent diabetes and heart disease.
- Water, and staying properly hydrated, is key to an athlete’s success.
Without the right foods, even physical conditioning and expert coaching aren't enough to push you to be your best.Good nutrition must be a key part of your training program for you to succeed.
Fitness
60 Minutes of Activity a Day...do it for life!
Fit "Fitness" into your busy day - It is important to your health and success. Whether it is walking the dog, running, or riding a bike... make physical activity one of the healthy habits in your daily life.
Get out and get active - limit sedentary activities. Student's lifestyles today are very different from their parents'. TV, video games, texting and online social networks are now replacing the neighborhood kickball game. Kids and teens are spending more time sitting and less time running, jumping and playing. Commit to staying active.
What are the Benefits? Students who are physically fit will...
- Find it easier to maintain a healthy weight
- Sleep better
- Have higher self-esteem and self-confidence
- Be more attentive in class and perform better in school
- Have proper growth with stronger bones, muscles, and joints
- Feel less stressed
- Reduce their risk of chronic disease
- Decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes
- Have lower blood pressure
- Have lower LDL "bad" blood cholesterol levels, and raise HDL "good" cholesterol levels
- Feel happier and have a better outlook on life!
More on Fitness
Nutrition Education
Nutrition is for Everyone
Proper nutrition in the school age years can reinforce lifelong eating habits that contribute to a student's overall well being. This will help them to grow and learn to their fullest potential... and then go on to lead a long healthy life.
Nutrition for Students is Fun!
Nutrition for Students is Fun!
| Your body needs nutritious foods to grow and stay healthy, so make sure you take care of your body by eating the right food and getting plenty of exercise. Whether you are grabbing breakfast before school or choosing a snack after sports practice, now is time to start learning to make healthy choices. Your body and brain need healthy fuel to perform, to learn, to grow, and to ward off illness and disease. You will look better, feel better and do better in school and at play. Develop the healthy eating habits today that will last a lifetime. Eat a balanced diet from each of the 5 food groups everyday... Grains, Vegetables, Fruits, Milk and Meat & Beans... and go light on the junk! Test Your Skill at these Fun Nutrition and Fitness Games
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Nutrition for Teachers
Nutrition for Teachers!
Students must be healthy to learn...
but they also need to learn to be healthy.
We encourage and support health and nutrition education in the classroom. Teaching nutrition to students will help them to grow and learn to their fullest potential and we believe it is the key to promoting lifelong health and wellness. Nutrition Education establishes the basic skills for making healthy eating and lifestyle choices that will carry them into adulthood.
Our school’s breakfast and lunch programs help students to establish the healthy eating habits that they need to grow, learn and play. School lunches contain 1/3 of the recommended daily nutrient allowance and school meals include nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and calcium rich low fat milk.
Nutrition Resource Materials for the Classroom |
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| Guide to Good Eating |  |
| Tips for Teachers - Physical Activity | |
Lesson plans by SuperKids Nutrition Founder, Registered Dietitian, and Creator of the Super Crew®, Melissa Halas-Liang, MA RD CDE
Activities for Pre-K and Kindergarten |
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| Picture to Letter Matching | Andy's Super Foods! | Penny's Speed Race |
Power Point Nutrition Lessons |
Learn to Read a Nutrition Label |
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| Integrating Nutrition and Fitness into Curriculum | Click on the "Label Guy" icon and download a complete lesson from the USDA on how to read a Nutrition Label. |  |
| Learning about Trans Fat | ||
| 5 a Day the Color Way with Fruits and Veggies | ||
| Learning about Whole Grains | ||
| Learning about Disease Prevention | ||
Focus On Girl's Health |
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| Girl's Health Focus - Calcium | Calcium and Bone Health Worksheet |
| Girl's Health Focus - Iron | Iron Health Worksheet |
| Girl's Health Focus - Get Active | |
Nutrition for Parents
We have put together some learning tools and resources to help you promote fitness and nutrition at home. We want to help you to encourage and reinforce lifelong nutrition and fitness practices that will support healthy lifestyles for you and your kids. Click the Nutrition at Home link to the left to learn more.
Wellness Policy
Our District has developed a Wellness Policy that is focused on improving the health of students. The policy was developed by the health and wellness advisory council that includes teachers, parents, administrators, and the district nurse.
Sharing the Message of Wellness
One of our goals is to share the message of nutrition and wellness via our department's Web site that emphasizes the importance of nutrition AND fitness. Our site provides information on the nutrition and fitness for teachers, parents, and students, as well as, a variety of learning tools.
Key Areas of our Wellness Policy
Balance is essential for any Wellness Policy. Key areas include:
- Nutrition Education
- Physical activity
- Other school-based activities that are designed to promote student wellness.
STUDENT WELLNESS PROGRAM The District promotes healthy schools by supporting wellness, good nutrition and regular physical activity as a part of the total learning environment. The District supports a healthy environment where children learn about and participate in positive dietary and lifestyle practices. Throughout the District, healthy eating habits and lifelong physical activity patterns are promoted. All students shall be exposed to the knowledge and skills necessary to make nutritious and enjoyable food choices for a lifetime. The wellness plan shall make effective use of school and community resources and equitably serve the needs and interests of all students and staff, recognizing the diversity of the community. Nutrition Education 1. Disseminate nutritional information to all students grades K-10. A. Health (Science) is taught in grades K-6. B. Health is a junior high course option in grade 7 or 8. C. Health is taught in high school as grade 10 as required for graduation. 2. Integrate nutritional information into other curricular areas. Examples include Science and Physical Education. 3. Incorporate the nutritional information from curricular areas into other areas of the student’s experience. 4. Distribute accurate nutritional information through the use of school, district and community publications. 5. Demonstrate and promote nutritional health through staff in-service that links the nutritional goals to programs in which the District is currently involved. Examples include: A. athletics; B. pillars of characters and C. after-school activities. Physical Activity 1. Students in high school are required to earn ½ credit in Physical Education in order to meet the graduation requirement. 2. Physical Education courses are offered at the junior high level with optional high school credit. 3. Physical Education Standards are based on National Standards for Physical Education. 4. It is recommended that all Physical Education classes be taught by certified Physical Education Instructors. 5. Recess: students in grades K through 6 are provided with daily recess. Nutrition Standard - Comply with S.B. 210 (state mandated) Any food or beverage sold to students during the school day has to follow the nutritional and beverage guidelines as outlined in S.B. 210. This includes foods sold through the Food Services Department as well as any other organization or person. District nutrition standards apply only to food or beverages sold. Food provided free as refreshment for parties, potlucks, teacher appreciation luncheons or breakfasts, etc, is not subject to District nutrition standards. However, offering foods that meet these standards is highly recommended. Pickerington Local Schools Nutrition Standards are in alignment with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s School Beverage and Competitive Food Guidelines. In an effort to promote healthy nutritional habits, the District: A. follows federal guideline requirements for portion sizes in its lunch programs; B. provides professional development opportunities for its staff, covering the areas of nutrition and healthy eating habits; C. provides a list of “healthy choices” to those individuals planning field trips, afterschool events, meetings, teachers using food rewards, food-related fundraisers, as well as to parents, and school concession stands and D. turns off soda vending machines in student cafeterias and hallways during lunch periods; E. requests that any concession stand operated offer healthy food choices and F. offers healthy choices in school vending machines. Activity The District provides a daily lunch program for its students. The District works to identify any student that qualifies for the lunch program. The District helps promote general awareness of nutrition. Healthy choices are advertised to the students. The District has policies that allow for community usage of its facilities and the community has access to outdoor facilities. To promote healthy choices and opportunities, the District may use its monthly and annual publications and web site to inform the public. CROSS REFS.: EF Food Services Management EFB Free and Reduced-Price Food Services EFF Food Sale Standards IGAE Health Education