Breakfast & Lunch
Well-nourished students are ready to learn.
At Matoaca High School, we believe that healthy meals fuel great learning.
Our Food and Nutrition Services team plays an essential role in every student’s success providing balanced, affordable, and delicious meals that promote lifelong healthy eating habits.
We proudly follow the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans and operate under the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs to ensure every meal meets top nutrition standards.
Introducing SchoolCafe : Your All-in-One Meal Platform for 2025-26
Starting with the 2025-26 school year, Chesterfield County Public Schools will move to the new SchoolCafe platform the single app for everything related to school meals.
This modern tool replaces three separate apps MealViewer, MySchoolBucks, and MySchoolApps giving families one convenient place to manage menus, payments, and meal applications.
With SchoolCafe, you can:
- Make online payments for school meals
- View breakfast and lunch menus anytime
- Track your child’s cafeteria purchases
- Set spending limits for peace of mind
- Receive balance alerts before funds run low
Getting Started Is Easy
- Visit www.schoolcafe.com or download the free SchoolCafe app on your phone.
- Create an account using your child’s student ID number (found in ParentVUE or by contacting the school).
- Add funds and set your preferences.
(Any money from your previous MySchoolBucks account has already been transferred to SchoolCafe.)
If you have questions or need assistance, call 866-442-6030 (toll-free) or click the purple help icon at the bottom of the SchoolCafe page to chat or view FAQs.
Important Links and Forms
Starting with the 2025–26 school year, Chesterfield County Public Schools will use SchoolCafe, a single web platform and mobile app for everything related to school meals.
This new system replaces the three separate apps previously used for meal management MealViewer, MySchoolBucks, and MySchoolApps combining all their features into one convenient and easy-to-use tool.
Forms and Resources - English
Formularios y Recursos - Español
Free and Reduced-Price School Meals
Families can apply for free or reduced-price school meals through the USDA National School Breakfast and Lunch Programs. These programs help ensure that every student has access to nutritious meals that support learning and growth.
A new application must be submitted each school year, and it must be completed in full to be reviewed and approved.
The easiest and fastest way to apply is online through the official application platform.
If you prefer a paper form, printed applications are available upon request from your school’s front office or through the Food and Nutrition Services department.
At schools that participate in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students automatically receive free meals. Families with children attending CEP schools do not need to complete an application.
A list of Chesterfield County schools covered under this provision is available in the dropdown menu below.
Families are encouraged to apply for meal benefits if their household income is at or below the federal income eligibility guidelines.
Students automatically qualify for free school meals if their families receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or participate in other federal assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).
Children may also qualify if their family is eligible for unemployment compensation or participates in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Under the USDA Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), all students enrolled at 43 Chesterfield County schools automatically receive free breakfast and lunch.
Families at these schools do not need to complete an application for free or reduced-price meals.
Schools covered under this program include:
- Elementary Schools: Bellwood, Bensley, Beulah, Bon Air, Chester Early Childhood Learning Academy, Chalkley, Marguerite Christian, Crenshaw, Crestwood, Curtis, Davis, Ecoff, Enon, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Gates, Harrowgate, Hening, Hopkins, Jacobs Road, Matoaca, Providence, Reams Road, Salem Church, Elizabeth Scott, Alberta Smith, and Wells.
- Middle Schools: Bailey Bridge, Carver, Elizabeth Davis, Falling Creek, Manchester, Matoaca, Providence, and Salem Church.
- High Schools: Bird, Carver College and Career Academy, CTC@Courthouse, Thomas Dale, Matoaca, Manchester, Meadowbrook, and Monacan.
Chesterfield County Public Schools proudly provides free after-school snacks and supper at more than 30 schools for students participating in after-school programs and activities.
The list of schools offering after-school snacks and supper for the 2025–26 school year will be announced soon.
Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program
The Food and Nutrition Services team proudly offers the Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program (FFVP) at the following elementary schools: Bellwood, Bensley, Chalkley, Christian, Ettrick, Falling Creek, Harrowgate, Hopkins, and Salem Church.
Through this program, students enjoy a fresh fruit or vegetable snack three days a week during the school day.
Program Goals
The Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program aims to:
- Create healthier school environments by offering nutritious food options and supporting nutrition education.
- Expand children’s taste experiences by introducing a wider variety of fruits and vegetables.
- Promote lifelong healthy habits by improving students’ diets and supporting their present and future well-being.
How It Works
Snacks are served in the classroom, accompanied by fun, educational activities led by teachers and staff.
Students are encouraged to try the fruit or vegetable of the day, though participation is always optional.
Parents are encouraged to support their child’s involvement in this program it’s a wonderful opportunity for children to explore new flavors, learn about nutrition, and make healthy food choices that can last a lifetime.
Adding Money to Your Child’s Account
Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, Chesterfield County Public Schools will transition to SchoolCafe, the new web platform and mobile app for managing all school meal information.
Returned Checks
Food and Nutrition Services partners with Envision Payment Solutions to manage services related to returned checks.
A $50 fee will be charged for each returned check, in addition to the check amount.
For assistance or questions, please contact Envision Payment Solutions at 855-832-5226.
Information About Nutrition and Menus
Chesterfield County Public Schools is committed to serving healthy, balanced, and delicious meals every day. Each breakfast and lunch includes milk, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains while following strict federal nutrition standards for portion size, calories, and saturated fat.
Our schools proudly meet the goals of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, ensuring that every meal supports students’ well-being and readiness to learn.
School Meal Requirements
School meals meet federal standards that require:
- Age-appropriate calorie limits
- Larger servings of fruits and vegetables (students must select at least one)
- A wider variety of vegetables, including dark-green, red/orange vegetables, and legumes
- Fat-free or 1% milk
- More whole grains (at least half of all grains must be whole-grain)
- Minimum and maximum levels for grain and protein servings
- Reduced sodium levels
Healthy Menu Practices
To make meals both nutritious and appealing, our cafeterias use:
- Whole-grain rolls, biscuits, buns, and pizza crusts
- Cupped fruit in natural or extra-light syrup
- Reduced-fat salad dressings
- Oven-baked fries (no deep-frying in elementary or middle schools)
- Whole-grain breading on chicken and nuggets
- 100% beef and reduced-fat burgers
- A daily vegetarian meal option
How to View School Lunch Menus
Beginning in the 2025–26 school year, Chesterfield County Public Schools will use SchoolCafe a single online platform and mobile app for all school-meal information.
SchoolCafe replaces MealViewer, MySchoolBucks, and MySchoolApps, combining menus, meal payments, and applications for free or reduced-price meals in one convenient place.
For details or to get started, visit www.schoolcafe.com
Food Allergies
Parents can complete the Food Allergy / Food Modification Medical Statement Form online or request a copy from the school nurse or cafeteria manager.
The form must be signed by a Licensed Healthcare Provider and returned to the school nurse, who will share it with the cafeteria manager and Food & Nutrition Dietitian to arrange necessary meal accommodations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. All school meals meet strict nutrition standards set by the USDA and the Government Accountability Office. Meals include balanced portions of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.
Parents are encouraged to remind their children to eat all meal components and limit a la carte snacks for the best nutritional benefit.
Not usually. Studies show that home-packed lunches often contain more snack foods, fewer fruits and vegetables, and rarely include milk.
School meals, on the other hand, provide higher nutritional value at a lower cost.
Yes. You can contact the food service manager at your child’s school to request purchase limits, or simply write “meals only” on your payment check.
Yes. All snacks sold on school campuses follow the USDA Smart Snacks Nutrition Standards, which require:
- Fewer than 200 calories per item
- 35% or less of total weight from sugar
- 35% or less of total calories from fat
- 10% or less of total calories from saturated fat
- No more than 200 mg of sodium
For beverages (other than water):
- Maximum 8 oz in elementary schools
- Maximum 12 oz in middle and high schools
- High schools may offer 20 oz containers if they contain fewer than 5 calories per 8 oz
If a student cannot drink milk for medical reasons, the federal program requires a medical statement from a licensed healthcare provider.
Currently, lactose-free milk is the only approved substitution.
For other allergy concerns, please contact the Food and Nutrition Services Department.
Yes. Families must submit a new application each school year, listing all school-aged children in the household.
Applications are only processed when all required information is included.
Applications are denied if the household income exceeds the eligibility limit or if the form was incomplete.
You may reapply at any time if your household income or circumstances change.
Non-Discrimination Statement
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital or family status, income from public assistance, political beliefs, or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any USDA-funded program.
Individuals with disabilities who need alternate communication formats (such as Braille, large print, audiotape, or sign language) should contact their local program office or call 711 (TRS). Information is also available in other languages.
To file a discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027) online or request a copy at 866-632-9992.
Submit the form or letter by:
- Mail: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410
- Fax: 202-690-7442
- Email: [email protected]
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.