Food & Nutrition

ADDING MONEY TO STUDENT ACCOUNTS

School Breakfasts

Breakfasts include three of the following components regulated by federal guidelines:

• Whole grains - e.g., pancakes, french toast or breakfast pastries
• Lean protein - e.g., cheese stick, yogurt or egg
• Fruit/Vegetables - e.g., fresh whole fruit, low sugar canned fruit, sliced apples, baby carrots
• Milk - an 8 oz. serving

The USDA strictly specifies portion size, as well as allowable calories, saturated fat and sodium content of each breakfast.  Students must choose at least 3 items, one of which must be a fruit or vegetable, to receive school breakfast pricing. Above examples are not all encompassing, nor are they served every day.

School Lunches

Lunches include five components regulated by federal guidelines:

• Whole grains – e.g., rice, barley, quinoa, a hamburger bun, pizza crust
• Lean protein – e.g., chicken, beef, turkey, cheese, beans, yogurt, soybeans, or peanut butter
• Fruits - e.g., fresh whole fruit, low sugar canned fruit, sliced apples
• Vegetables – e.g., romaine, kale, baby carrots, or grape tomatoes
• Milk – an 8 oz. serving.

The USDA strictly specifies portion size, as well as allowable calories, saturated fat and sodium content of each school meal. Students must choose at least three components, one of which must be a fruit or vegetable, to receive school lunch pricing, but we encourage them to choose all five. Above examples are not all encompassing, nor are they served every day. 

Snack & Beverage Program

We offer a snack and beverage program for grades Young 5-6. You may select:

• Beverage (white or lowfat chocolate milk, 100% fruit juice, or water) $100 per year
• Snack (fresh fruit, string cheese, or wholegrain crackers) $100 per year
• Combination Snack and Beverage: $180 per year.

Snack & beverage programs may be purchased by the full year only. Signups are due by September 14, 2025. If payment is a financial hardship, please contact the Student Accounts Manager at 734-424-4185 to arrange a payment plan.

• DCS Wellness Policy (updated August 2024)
• Wellness Policy Assessment

BACK-To-SCHOOL FORMS/SIGN-UPS

MEAL PRICES 2025-2026

• Letter About Meal Pricing Uncertainty

• Students must have funds in their accounts to purchase a la carte items.
• Parents can set limits on the types and quantities of a la carte purchases allowed for individual students by contacting Food & Nutrition: fandn@dexterschools.org or 734-424-4186.

All student meal account balances roll from year to year throughout their career with Dexter Community Schools. If you are in need of a refund from your student’s meal account due to a move or graduation please complete the Refund Request Form.

• Email: fnaccts@dexterschools.org
• Mail: Dexter F&N, 2704 Baker Rd, Dexter, MI 48130

Funds can be transferred to sibling accounts at any time via Dexter.FamilyPortal.Cloud or by contacting F&N at 734-424-4185.

All requests must be received within six months of your student’s departure from
the district. After six months, any funds remaining in accounts of students who have left the district
will be transferred to a sibling account or to the Dreadnaught Meal Scholarship Fund.

FAQ: Does your student want more than what is included in the free lunch? 

If your student wishes to purchase extra items at breakfast/lunch, they can still do so (depending on their grade) with funds deposited into the Family Portal, or by sending cash/check (payable to DCS F&N) in an envelope with your child’s name on it to the school office.

Food allergies should be communicated to the District Nurse, who will work with families to coordinate an allergy action plan and inform all the staff who need to know. This happens through PowerSchool forms. 

Complete the Health Information form at enrollment or the Health Information Update form for students who are already enrolled. To access these forms, log into your PowerSchool parent account. On the left side of the screen, click on the Forms link. Scroll down to Section 4: Student Info Update Forms to update health information. 

Here are detailed instructions for working with forms.