Food Services
Research has shown that there is a crucial relationship between nutrition and academic performance.
We strive to offer quality meals to set our students up for success every day. We provide a complete breakfast and lunch program, which meets or exceeds the nutritional requirements established by the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program. Breakfast and lunch are served at all schools.
Meals are free at three campuses in 2024-25
Elger Bay Elementary, Church Creek Campus, and Stanwood Elementary have qualified for free meals to all students in the 2024-25 school year under a new state law. However, this qualification is reassessed each year based on Free and Reduced-Price Meal applications.
In order for the free meals to continue next year, we request families complete our Free or Reduced Meal application because it will determine if this benefit continues in future years as well as other federal and state funding for the district. It also unlocks student and family benefits in the district and community, such as lower utility bills.
Don't know if you'd qualify? Take our easy online quiz to help determine your eligibility!
See your school's breakfast and lunch menus
- Meal Pricing
- Payment Options & Guidelines
- Menu changes
- Free & Reduced Price Meal Program
- FAQs
- Health & Wellness
- Nutritional Information
- School Health Inspections
- Summer meals
- Contact Us
Meal Pricing
Payment Options & Guidelines
Students have the opportunity to pre-pay for the meals they purchase from the cafeterias by sending cash or a check (made payable to Stanwood Camano School District or SCSD). Please make sure your child's name and account/pin number are on all correspondence and payments.
Parents can also make payments online through SKYWARD Family Access by selecting Food Service and Add payment. Money received is placed on your child's dining account and as meals and other food items are purchased, the cost will be appropriately deducted. Funds remaining on an account at the end of the school year will automatically roll to the next school year.
To make an online payment click on this link: Make A Payment
For more information about how to make payments, click HERE
Charging Guidelines
Our practice is that no child goes hungry. These guidelines are in place at all schools in our district and we have procedures in place to ensure we are communicating with the parents and/or guardians on file regarding their lunch account.
Parents and/or guardians are responsible to maintain their student's accounts throughout the entire school year. Family Access is the best method for this, as well as, a current email address and phone number. We use an automated system that notifies the parent and/or guardian via phone and email when your child's lunch account goes in the negative.
Elementary Students: Student accounts will be charged for meals if the student account is low on funds. Charges are for reimbursable meals only. No ala carte items are allowed to be charged, including milk.
Secondary Students: Student accounts will be charged for meals if, the student account is low on funds. Charges are for reimbursable meals only. No ala carte items are allowed to be charged, including milk.
Adults/Staff: The Washington Constitution prohibits state and local governments from giving or loaning public funds to individuals, companies, or associations. (Article VIII, sections 5 and 7). The district encourages staff to place funds on their account and/or pay with cash.
Low Balance: We encourage every family to set-up for Low Balance notifications through Family Access. To set up low balance notifications you can either utilize "A Guide to Food Service Family Access" that is available on the left-hand side of this webpage at the bottom or follow the following instructions: Log into Skyward/Family Access and select My Account at the top right corner of your Skyward/Family Access window. In the Account Settings view, at the very bottom, check the box next to Receive Emails when Food Service Balance is under $6.00 and then SAVE the settings. To stop receiving the low balance emails, simply uncheck the box and again SAVE the settings.
Negative Balance: Households are notified of any negative balances when a student's account reaches $-0.40, with an automated phone call and/or email. (Please note: the data used to generate these calls is from the end of the previous day and may not reflect payments made over the past 24 hours.) These messages are provided as a service to the family to ensure that negative charges do not accrue drastically before a parent/guardian is notified. Negative balances of -$10.00 or more will also be sent a letter to notify the parents and/or guardians of the outstanding debt. Please note unpaid charges will be carried over year to year from school to school in the district.
Seniors: Seniors must complete Senior Checkout and accounts must be in a positive status before graduation. Funds left on a Senior's food service account will be distributed to siblings, if applicable unless otherwise specified. Refunds available upon request.
Refunds: To request a refund please email Jennifer Dahl at jdahl@stanwood.wednet.edu. Please note: the refund will be written to the primary guardian on file (the first name listed in Family Access), regardless of who made the payment to the account. Processing of refunds may take up to 10 days.
Menu changes
Our Food Service Program continues to face supply chain issues. As a result, we may alter our posted menus with little to no notice.
These changes are due to limited product availability, nation-wide transportation challenges, and supplier labor shortages. We are working closely with our distributors and manufacturers to secure food and supply items needed to support our program.
While we plan to serve posted menu items each day, continued supply issues may not make this possible. We will attempt to substitute the scheduled menu with similar items to the extent we are able to do so.
Please know that all students will continue to be offered meals that meet menu requirements, nutrition standards, and student acceptability.
Thank you for your cooperation and understanding during these challenging times.
Free & Reduced Price Meal Program
Your child or children may qualify for free meals or for reduced-price meals. Qualification is determined by a number of factors including:
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Income guidelines based on Gross Wages (Before Taxes)
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Receipt of Assistance Program benefits (SNAP, TANF, FDPIR)
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McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
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Foster Child Placement
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Migrant Status
To find out if you qualify, you must fill out a Current Year National School Breakfast and Lunch Application (one application per family). You will find the application in any school office or you may download and print the application here: Free and Reduced Information.
In addition, we offer online applications through SKYWARD Family Access. Family Access log-in information can be obtained by contacting your school secretary. Please remember a new application must be completed each year if you would like your student considered for the National School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
Learn much more about the benefits of applying for the program on our Free and Reduced Meals webpage. Benefits include reduced fees for school sports, discounts on their Snohomish PUD bills, and much more!
Completed applications can be returned to your child's school or mailed to the following address:
Stanwood-Camano School District Attn: Food Services 26920 Pioneer Hwy Stanwood, WA 98292
Questions?
Please call the Food Services Department at 360-629-1200
FAQs
How does a family apply for free or reduced-price meal benefits for a student? Food Services utilizes both online and paper applications to determine a student's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. The online application is available to families beginning annually in mid-August via SKYWARD Family Access. If you need Family Access login information, please contact your school's secretary. Applications can also be found at the district office, your child's school or printed from our web page. Printable applications in English and Spanish, as well as, a link to other languages can also be found online at Free & Reduced Applications and Information. Paper applications can either be turned into your child's school, the District Office or mailed to SCSD Food Services at 26920 Pioneer Highway Stanwood, WA 98292 for processing.
Do I need to fill out an application for each child? No, complete one Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application for all students in your household. We cannot approve an application that is not complete, so be sure to fill out all the required information. If you receive assistance through DSHS, please make sure to mark the appropriate box and include your case number. Return the completed application to your child's school or the SCSD Food Services Department, which is located at 26920 Pioneer Highway Stanwood, WA 98282 for processing
Will the information on my application be verified? Yes, we may ask you to send written proof, through the verification process.
May I apply if someone in my household is not a U.S. Citizen? Yes, by law we cannot ask for citizenship.
Can a student qualify for meal benefits (free or reduced-price) without completing a school meal application? Yes. The Food Services Department directly certifies students for meal benefits through a data matching process with DSHS. Families who receive assistance benefits from programs such as Basic Food, TANF, or FDRIP are automatically qualified for free meals through this matching process which occurs several times during the school year. Students eligible for Medicaid benefits may qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Additionally, free meals are extended to students who are certified as McKenney Vento (Homeless), Migrant, or Foster. However, to ensure your children qualify for free or reduced meals, a complete application with a case number is encouraged. Please note: Families are responsible for the cost of meals provided to a student prior to eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals being established.
How are families informed if they qualify for free or reduced-price meal benefits? Once processing is completed, our department first utilizes email (if available) to notify families of eligibility status. If no email address is available, a letter will be mailed home identifying the student's eligibility for free, reduced, or paid meals to the address on file. We also post eligibility letters on SKYWARD Family Access to the primary parent and/or guardian's account on file. Processing of meal benefit applications may take up to 10 days. Families are encouraged to complete the online application, as early as possible, to ensure that a student's eligibility status is properly established for the school year. Families requesting replacement eligibility letters can find them on SKYWARD Family Access or can contact Food Services at (360) 629-1411. Please note: Families are responsible for the cost of meals provided to a student prior to eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals being established.
Do families need to complete an application for free or reduced-price meal benefits each year? Yes, if you are wanting free or reduced meals. Students returning to a school in the Stanwood Camano School District start the first 30 days of the school year retaining their prior year's eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. Families are encouraged during this initial time period to submit an application for the current year for processing. Families who do not have a current year application for their student processed during the first 30 school days will "roll over" to the paid status on the 31st school day, which is typically mid-October. Please note: Families are responsible for the cost of meals provided to a student prior to eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals being established.
Can a family submit an application for school meal benefits anytime during the year? Yes, while applications for the current year are typically processed from August to October, if a family's income or household size changes during the year, an online or paper application can be submitted (or resubmitted) to determine eligibility for free or reduced-priced meals. Application processing closes on the last day of the school year. Eligibility will not be backdated, it begins the day the application was processed.
What is included in a meal? Breakfast - In schools where a breakfast program is offered, all students, regardless of their eligibility for free, reduced, or paid meals, are offered a variety of entrée options each day. In addition to entrees, students may select from a variety of fresh, canned, or dried fruits, 100% fruit juice and pick their choice of milk (1% white milk, non-fat chocolate milk). In order to count as a reimbursable USDA school meal - of the four food groups offered (milk, fruit, grain, meat, or meat alternate) students must take what amounts to three items out of the four groups, a ½ cup fruit serving is required to be one of the three items. Lunch - All students, regardless of their eligibility for free, reduced, or paid meals, are offered a variety of entrée options each day. These entrée options are served through the "mainline" in the cafeteria. In addition to entrees, students in the mainline may select from a variety of fresh, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables on the salad bar and pick their choice of milk (1% or non-fat white milk or non-fat chocolate milk). In order to count as a reimbursable USDA school meal - of the five food groups offered (milk, fruit, vegetable, grain, meat, or meat alternate) students must take what amounts to three servings out of the five groups. A ½ cup serving of fruit and/or vegetable is required to be one of the three choices. A la Carte Options - In addition to the "meal," Food Services provides students with the opportunity to purchase additional food or beverage items through a la carte choices available on the mainline or via the a la carte Line in the Middle & High Schools. A la carte items may be purchased with cash or through a student's school meal account. A la carte may not be charged to a student's account if they do not have money. Examples of items sold a la carte include bottled water, carbonated fruit juices, bottled juices, chips, cookies, fresh fruit cups, a single slice of pizza, bagel and cream cheese, yogurt parfaits, etc.
How can I pay for school meals? Food Services offers a variety of convenient ways to pay for school meals. Checks and cash are accepted by the Lunchroom Cashier, either as a pre-paid deposit to a student's account or for purchasing individual meals, milk, or other a la carte items. If sending cash, insert cash into a sealed envelope with your student's name, and the lunch number clearly printed on the front of the envelope. If sending a check, include your student's name and lunch number in the notes section of the check. Checks should be made payable to Stanwood Camano School District (or SCSD). Student meals may also be paid for with a credit card online through SKYWARD Family Access via RevTrak. RevTrak charges users a payment transaction of $1.50 per transaction. Parents may monitor their student's account history and view purchases without a fee. Click here for directions on how to make a payment.
What are the school meal prices for the current school year? Elementary: Breakfast $1.50 and Lunch $3.25 Middle School: Breakfast $1.75 and Lunch $3.50 High School: Breakfast $1.75 and Lunch $3.50 Adults at all schools: Breakfast $3.00 and Lunch $5.00 Milk is $0.50 Juice is $1.00
How does a family request a refund on their student's school meal account? A refund request can be made at the child's school through your child's cafeteria, their school's Main Office or by emailing jdahl@stanwood.wednet.edu or calling Jennifer Dahl @360-629-1411. Refunds are made to the primary guardian on file, regardless of who made the payment to the account. Processing of refunds may take up to 10 business days. Cash refunds are offered through your child's school if the balance is less than $10. Credit card refunds are not available at this time.
Is it possible to move funds between the school meal accounts of two siblings? Yes, requests for transfers between student accounts may be made via phone or in-person in your child's cafeteria by, or by contacting Jennifer Dahl @ 360-629-1411 or jdahl@stanwood.wednet.edu or Don Venetti @360-629-1208 or dvenetti@stanwood.wednet.edu
Where can I find a school breakfast and lunch menu? Menus for elementary, middle, and high schools can be found by are available on the left-hand side of this page towards the top, under Elementary Menus, Middle School Menus, and High School Menus.
My child has a special dietary need. May they still participate in the school meal program at their school? Yes. Parent Information: Special Dietary Needs Accommodations in Child Nutrition Services(English) & Parent Information Special Dietary Needs Accommodations in Child Nutrition Services (Spanish). We may request a Special Dietary Accommodations form (English), Special Dietary Accommodations (Spanish) form completed by the child's physician, to be submitted to Food Services first to ensure that proper foods are provided. Families and students can access nutritional facts and allergen information on Nutritional Information Website.
Our family is vegetarian. Are vegetarian lunches available? Meatless choices are available every day. Some of the lunch choices available include salad bar, yogurt parfaits, giant pretzels, toasted cheese sandwiches, cheese pizza, macaroni and cheese, and vegetable lasagna with tomato sauce. Families following strict vegan regimes may need to provide lunch from home.
How do I open a lunch account for my student? When you enroll your student in school, they are automatically issued a Food Services meal account. They are given a seven-digit student ID number (lunch number) which they keep throughout their years in the Stanwood Camano School District. Students enter their seven-digit student ID into a keypad to access their meal account. Each student is encouraged to memorize their own number so that students move quickly and efficiently during the meal periods. Families are expected to maintain positive balances on their students' accounts.
Can parents eat with their students? We welcome parents to eat with their student(s). Adult meal prices are $3.00 for breakfast and $5.00 for lunch at all schools in the Stanwood Camano School District.
What if I forget to send lunch money to school? Students will not be denied a meal. Please send lunch money to cover the cost of the meal as soon as possible.
If my student changes schools, does their money go with them? Yes, if they change schools within the Stanwood Camano School District their money and free/reduced status will follow them. If your students plan to move out of the Stanwood Camano School District, please request a refund.
What if my child is moving from a CEP (Community Eligibility Provision) or Provision 2 school? If your child or children are moving from a CEP or Provision 2 school, please notify the Food Services Department immediately so that we can help you navigate the Free & Reduced Lunch Program available in our district.
Health & Wellness
Local Health & Wellness Board Policy: 6700 Local Health and Wellness
School Board Policy & Procedures: 6700P Local Health and Wellness Procedure
Triennial Health & Wellness Assessment 2022
Health and Wellness Topics and Resources
Healthy Parties & Celebrations
Classroom Physical Activity Breaks & Indoor Recess
Alternatives to Withholding Physical Activity for Discipline
Non-Food Fundraising Ideas
Non-Food Rewards in School
Nutritional Information
Please find the nutritional information for the foods we serve your children in school on our Nutritional Information webpage.
School Health Inspections
Food Services is proud of our clean and sanitary kitchens and the staff who work hard at maintaining them. Here are the most recent Health Inspection Reports from each of the schools in our District.
- Cedarhome Elementary School Health Inspections September 2024
- Elger Bay Elementary Health Inspection October 2023
- Stanwood Elementary Health Inspection March 2024
- Twin City Elementary School Health Inspection September 2024
- Utsalady Elementary Health Inspection March 2024
- Lincoln Hill High School Health Inspection September 2024
- Port Susan Middle School Health Inspection March 2024
- Stanwood Middle School Health Inspection March 2024
- Stanwood High School Health Inspection March 2024
Summer meals
This federally-funded program is sponsored by many organizations throughout our state. Children may participate in summer meals programs outside of their communities.
To find a site near you, please use a Summer Meals Locator at nokidhungry.org or text "food" or "comida" to 304-304.
In addition, the Stanwood-Camano Food Bank offers food for all families with school-aged youth.
Look for more details about the Summer 2024 meals program in spring 2025.
Contact Us
Donald Vennetti
Food Service Director
26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292
Phone: 360-629-1208
FAX: (360) 629-1209
Jennifer Dahl
Food Service Secretary: Applications, account balance, transfers, eligibility
26920 Pioneer Hwy, Stanwood, WA 98292
Phone: 360-629-1411
FAX: (360) 629-1209
Email: jdahl@stanwood.wednet.edu
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/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.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:
1.mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or 2. fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or 3. email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.