School Meals
A hungry student can’t focus on their future. The Cedar Rapids Community School District is a proud participant in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, ensuring every student has access to the high-quality nutrition they need to thrive in the classroom.
Contact Our Team
Have questions about menus, dietary restrictions, or meal applications? We are here to help.
- Phone: 319-558-2305
- Email: foodservice@crschools.us
Key Contact
Fueling Academic Excellence
Healthy eating is directly linked to student achievement. Our food and nutrition team prepares 15,000 meals every day that meet the rigorous Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Research shows that students who eat school meals experience:
- Higher Academic Performance: Greater gains in standardized test scores, especially for those eating school breakfast.
- Better Attendance: A healthy diet correlates with fewer sick days and fewer trips to the school nurse.
- Healthy Habits: Balanced portions of protein, dairy, grains, fruits, and vegetables help students maintain a healthy weight and steady energy levels.
What’s on the Menu?
Our meals are carefully designed to provide the right nutritional balance for every age group. From kindergarten to high school, we ensure students get the exact portions they need to stay energized and focused throughout the school day.
Dietary meal modifications
If a physician has determined that your student has a medical condition that requires meal modification, you must complete a diet prescription form. This form is available through your school health clinic and the resources below.
School Breakfast: A Strong Start
A healthy breakfast is the foundation for a productive school day. Our National School Breakfast Program provides students with one-fourth of their daily recommended intake of essential nutrients—including protein, calcium, iron, and vitamins A and C.
What’s on the Tray?
To ensure variety and nutrition, every breakfast offers a minimum of four food items across three core categories. We empower students with a choice, allowing them to decline one item while still receiving a complete, balanced meal.
Every breakfast includes:
- Fresh Fruits & Vegetables: A daily serving of whole fruit, vegetables, or 100% juice.
- Whole-Grain Rich Items: A focus on healthy grains to provide sustained energy.
- Fluid Milk: A daily serving of low-fat or fat-free milk for essential calcium.
- Daily serving of fruit, vegetable, or 100% fruit/vegetable juice
- Daily minimums and weekly ranges for grains with a focus on whole-grain rich items
- Daily serving of fluid milk (Low-fat/fat free)
School Lunch: Balanced for Growth
Our school lunch program is designed to provide one-third of a student’s daily nutritional needs. Each meal is a power-packed combination of protein, calcium, iron, and essential vitamins (A and C) to keep students energized for an afternoon of learning.
Building a Healthy Plate
We provide a wide variety of choices across five core food components. To ensure a balanced meal, students select at least three of these components, including at least one-half cup of fruits or vegetables.
A typical lunch includes:
- Fresh Fruits & Garden Vegetables: Daily servings of colorful produce, including a weekly variety of dark greens, red/orange vegetables, and protein-rich legumes.
- Lean Proteins: Daily servings of quality meats or meat alternatives to support growth and focus.
- Whole-Grain Rich Items: Hearty grains that provide the fiber and energy needed for a full school day.
- Cold, Fluid Milk: Choice of low-fat or fat-free milk with every meal.
- Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Schools for the 2025-26 school year.
- Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP)
- USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
- Iowa Nondiscrimination Statement