Food and Nutrition Services

  • Apply for free and reduced meals, 2024-25

    Our Mission

    The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District 's Food and Nutrition Services Department's mission is to actively contribute to the learning and health of children, district staff, and other eligible customers by preparing, marketing and serving foods that follow dietary guidelines for Americans, as published by the California State Department of Education (1985). Nutritious meals will be offered at a reasonable price while maintaining a financially accountable program.

    Mission Statement adopted by Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education on August 25, 1986.

    NEW! Every student may receive one free breakfast and lunch meal daily per the California Universal Meals Mandate. 

    K-12 LUNCH AND BREAKFAST MEALS

    • A monthly calendar will be posted online for elementary sites
    • A weekly menu is posted online for secondary sites
    • Students can choose an entrée from several choices, milk, fruit and/or vegetables, for lunch.

    SMMUSD Follows all the nutritional guidelines set forth by the USDA Dietary Guidelines and National School Lunch Programs (NSLP).

    Our foods and beverages are:

    • 100% Whole grain
    • Less than 30% fat
    • Less than 10% saturated fat
    • 0 grams of trans fat

    Offered daily:

    • Fresh fruit and vegetables
    • 1% milk or non-fat chocolate milk
    • Lower sodium food items
    • Vegetarian options

    We implement an “offer vs. serve”, allowing students to choose their meals. We provide all students with access to a variety of foods that meet their nutritional needs.

    CHARGING POLICY

    • We do not extend credit for second meals or à la carte items. If you would like your child to purchase extra items, you can add money to your students account or students can pay in person.

    À LA CARTE ITEMS

    • Only secondary school sites have à la carte items available.

    MEAL PRICES

    • 2024-25 school year: all students may receive one free breakfast and lunch meal daily

    Regular price applies to second meal(s).

    • Grades TK-5: Breakfast $2.00 and Lunch $4.00
    • Grades 6-12: Breakfast $2.25 and Lunch $4.75
    • Adults: Breakfast $4.50 and Lunch $6.00

    FREE & REDUCED-PRICE MEALS APPLICATION

    • While all meals are free for students regardless of income, SMMUSD encourages families that may qualify for free or reduced-price meals to complete a Meal Application. Approved students may qualify for other assistance programs. Students receiving SNAP or Medi-Cal may automatically qualify for free or reduced-priced meals. Other educational benefits and qualifications for Title 1 benefits for some schools are also impacted by submission of these applications.

    PAYMENT SYSTEM

    • Prepay your child’s account online at MySchoolBucks.com. There is a fee of $2.75 for e- checks or $3.25 for credit cards per transaction associated with MySchoolBucks.
    • Check payments accepted. Please make check payable to SMMUSD, and be sure to include your child’s name, ID number, and school on the check.
    • Cash payments accepted.
    • Payments can be made in person at the cafeteria or at the District Office, Food Services, 1717 4th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.

    ACCOUNT REFUND

    • For refunds, please contact the accounting technician at (310) 450-8338 ext. 70-309.
    • For balance transfers, please contact office staff at (310) 450-8338 ext. 70-309 or 70-228.

    7/1/24: Free and Reduced-Price Meals for SMMUSD Students Notification: School Year 2024-25


    In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.

    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the agency (state or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.

    To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call 866-632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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
    (2)       Fax:    202-690-7442
    (3)       E-mail: program.intake@usda.gov

    This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

Food Services Staff