Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find menus?
Menus are posted on the main page of the district's website and each school site. Look for the icon located directly below the large photo banner.
What does a full meal include?
Breakfast menus offer a variety of entrees, fruit and milk selections daily and when offered a choice, students must take at least ½ cup fruit and two other items to make a meal.
Lunch menus include entrée choices ranging from hot feature items, grilled favorites, hearty salads, and sandwiches that provide meat/meat alternates and grains plus milk, fruits and vegetable sides.
At USC, we offer a rainbow of produce that includes greens, carrots, fresh broccoli, zucchini sticks and seasonal fresh fruits.
Of the 5 components offered, students MUST take at least ½ cup of fruit OR vegetable and a minimum of two other foods for a reimbursable meal when a choice is offered.
Is all the food served by ARAMARK peanut free?
Yes, the food served is peanut free and prepared in a peanut-free environment.
Yes, the food served is peanut free and prepared in a peanut-free environment.
Is breakfast available for my child?
Breakfast is available at all schools in the district during the following times:
Breakfast is available at all schools in the district during the following times:
- Baker Elementary: 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
- Eisenhower Elementary: 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
- Streams Elementary: 8:15 - 8:30 a.m.
- Boyce Middle School: 8:20 - 8:50 a.m.
- Fort Couch Middle School: 8:20 - 8:50 a.m.
- USC High School: 7:15 - 10:15 a.m.
Can I pay for my child’s lunch online?
School meal payments can be made online at www.schoolcafe.com or by downloading and using the SchoolCafe app from the AppStore or GooglePlay. Please note there is a small convenience fee for online payments. More information about SchoolCafe is available on the district's website.
In addition, money can be added to your child’s account at any time by sending in an envelope with cash or check made out to “USC School Lunch Program.” Your child should give this envelope to the lunch cashier before school.
Remember, the envelope should be clearly marked “USC School Lunch Program” with the child’s name, amount, teacher’s room, and parent contact information in the event of any questions. If the payment is for more than one student, indicate how the money should be split (for example, Johnny = $10.00 and Sally=$15.00). Payment can be made in any amount to best suit a family’s budget.
Your child can also pay cash on a daily basis.
How can I find out what my balance is in my child’s account and his or her purchase history?
The easiest way is to create an account with www.schoolcafe.com. Your child’s purchase history is available one day after the account has been created. This site will even enable you set “low balance reminders” that will generate an email to you when your child’s account falls below your preset amount. Families are aslo encouraged to download the FREE SchoolCafe app from the AppStore and GooglePlay.
All families are strongly encouraged to check the balance of their students’ meal accounts online at www.schoolcafe.com. Due to recent changes in the Pennsylvania Public School Code as well as school district policy, our food service staff is not permitted to provide courtesy reminders directly to students regarding low or negative balances. All communication regarding student meal accounts must occur directly with parents/guardians.
Through our meal payment system – www.schoolcafe.com – families have the ability to sign-up to receive low balance alerts via email and/or text message. We strongly encourage families to sign-up for these no-cost alerts.
The easiest way is to create an account with www.schoolcafe.com. Your child’s purchase history is available one day after the account has been created. This site will even enable you set “low balance reminders” that will generate an email to you when your child’s account falls below your preset amount. Families are aslo encouraged to download the FREE SchoolCafe app from the AppStore and GooglePlay.
All families are strongly encouraged to check the balance of their students’ meal accounts online at www.schoolcafe.com. Due to recent changes in the Pennsylvania Public School Code as well as school district policy, our food service staff is not permitted to provide courtesy reminders directly to students regarding low or negative balances. All communication regarding student meal accounts must occur directly with parents/guardians.
Through our meal payment system – www.schoolcafe.com – families have the ability to sign-up to receive low balance alerts via email and/or text message. We strongly encourage families to sign-up for these no-cost alerts.
Can I restrict the items, quantity and/or frequency that my child can purchase?
Yes. For instance, some families opt to limit snack purchases to only one per week. Should you wish to restrict your student’s ability to purchase items from the nutrition center in any way, please contact Ashley Lindhurst, food services director, at alindhurst@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
Yes. For instance, some families opt to limit snack purchases to only one per week. Should you wish to restrict your student’s ability to purchase items from the nutrition center in any way, please contact Ashley Lindhurst, food services director, at alindhurst@uscsd.k12.pa.us.
What happens if my child forgets his/her lunch?
If your son or daughter happens to forget to bring lunch from home, he/she may choose from the meal plan and you will subsequently be charged.
If your son or daughter happens to forget to bring lunch from home, he/she may choose from the meal plan and you will subsequently be charged.
My family qualified for free/reduced-priced meals last year. Do I need to do anything for this school year?
Yes, every year a new application needs to be completed. Students are grandfathered in from last year for the first 30 calendar days of the school year. To avoid disruption in your child’s status, a new application should be received in the food service by mid September. Click here for information regarding applying for Free/Reduced Priced School Meals.
Family circumstances can change at any time; therefore, please know that applications can be completed anytime during the school year.
Yes, every year a new application needs to be completed. Students are grandfathered in from last year for the first 30 calendar days of the school year. To avoid disruption in your child’s status, a new application should be received in the food service by mid September. Click here for information regarding applying for Free/Reduced Priced School Meals.
Family circumstances can change at any time; therefore, please know that applications can be completed anytime during the school year.
Is there a website for the Food Service Department?
Yes. From the school district’s website (www.uscsd.k12.pa.us), select the “Menus” icon from the horizontal banner located below the rotating photo. This page contains links to each school’s menus, meal prices, wellness program information, nutritional facts, and more.
Yes. From the school district’s website (www.uscsd.k12.pa.us), select the “Menus” icon from the horizontal banner located below the rotating photo. This page contains links to each school’s menus, meal prices, wellness program information, nutritional facts, and more.
Who can I contact for questions about the Food Service Program or to request a tour of the district’s food service operation?
Please contact Ms. Ashley Lindhurst, food services director, at alindhurst@uscsd.k12.pa.us or via phone at 412-833-1600 ext. 2287. Someone will be back in touch with you within 24 hours.
Please contact Ms. Ashley Lindhurst, food services director, at alindhurst@uscsd.k12.pa.us or via phone at 412-833-1600 ext. 2287. Someone will be back in touch with you within 24 hours.