No Lunch Money Procedure
M E M O R A N D U M
FROM: Jane Zentko MS, RD, LD/N Executive Director Contract Compliance-Food Service
TO: Principals; Food Service Managers; Chartwells/Thompson (for Distribution)
SUBJ : 2025-2026 NO LUNCH MONEY PROCEDURE
DATE: August 11, 2025
The District has instituted a procedure at Non-CEP Schools that allows students in grades Pre-K to 12 to run a maximum negative balance equivalent to one paid lunch ($4.00 elementary; $4.25 secondary) if they do not have money to purchase their meal.
All Duval County Public School Students
Students approved for free meals cannot be denied a meal, even if they have a negative balance on other cafeteria purchases
No student will be overtly identified during their meal purchase as receiving free, reduced-price or paid meals.
A copy of this policy is posted on the Food Service website and a written copy is available upon request.
Grades PreK-5
Students can receive free lunches if they have no money to purchase a lunch without accruing any negative charges during the first 30 days of school OR until meal eligibility is determined (whichever comes first).
Lunch: If the student reaches the maximum negative balance amount of $4.00 (paid lunch equivalent) after the first 30 days of school OR after meal eligibility has been determined, the student will receive a non-reimbursable “substitute meal” at no charge for lunch; the student will receive this “substitute meal” until the balance in their account has been cleared or until cash is brought to purchase a lunch.
Breakfast: Duval County Public Schools provides Universal Free breakfast to all students.
No students will be allowed to charge Ala Carte items.
Grades 6-12
Students can receive free lunches if they have no money to purchase a lunch without accruing any negative charges during the first 30 days of school OR until meal eligibility is determined (whichever comes first).
Lunch: If the student reaches the maximum negative balance amount of $4.25 (paid lunch equivalent) after the first 30 days of school OR after meal eligibility has been determined, the student will receive a non-reimbursable “substitute meal” at no charge for lunch; the student will receive this “substitute meal” until the balance in their account has been cleared or until cash is brought to purchase a lunch.
Breakfast: Duval County Public Schools provides Universal Free breakfast to all students.
No students will be allowed to charge Ala Carte items.
Miscellaneous
“Negative Balance” letters will be emailed to the parents from the Food Service Office by Food Service staff.