Frequently Asked Questions

Olentangy Schools is a sponsor of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast program (SBP). The meals served must meet federal nutrition standards which include:

• Age-appropriate calorie limits
• Appropriate servings of vegetables and fruits (students must take at least one serving of fruit or vegetable)
• A wide variety of vegetables, including dark green and red/orange vegetables and beans/peas.
• Fat-free or 1% milk (flavored milk must be fat-free)
• Whole grains
• Less sodium

The monthly breakfast and lunch menus can be found on the Olentangy Food Service Department web-site under menus and nutrition.

A breakfast meal consists of 4 items: grain(s), protein, fruit/vegetable, and milk. According to the School Breakfast Program (SBP) students must select at least 3 of the 4 items, one of which must be either a fruit or a vegetable.

A lunch consists of 5 components: an entree, which is 2 components (protein and grain), fruit, vegetable, and milk. According to the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), students must select at least 3 of the 5 components, one of which must be either a fruit or vegetable. At the elementary and middle school levels students can select up to 2 servings of vegetables and 1 serving of fruit and at the high school level students can select up to 2 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit.

To access your child’s meal purchases you can log into your PowerSchool parent account under the navigation area click on “Lunch and Fee Payments”, if you have one child in the district it will default to that child, if you have more than one child you will select which child’s account you would like to view, once selected click on “History” on the “Lunch Balance” bar to view their purchases. You can also contact your child’s individual school or the Olentangy district Food Service Department at 740-657-4053/5057 or olsd_lunchaccount@olsd.us to receive a transaction history.

There are three ways to add money to your child’s account:

1. Online payments – Access the online payment system through PowerSchool parent account. Contact your child’s school building with any PowerSchool account login questions.  At this time, you cannot make payments through the Olentangy or PowerSchool mobile app.
2. Cash –Cash payments must be in an envelope specified “lunch account” with the child’s first and last name, student ID number, and teacher’s name.
3. Check– Make checks payable to “Olentangy Food Service” with your child’s name, ID number, and phone number.  If making a deposit for more than one child, note the amount that should be deposited into each child’s account.  Counter checks cannot be accepted for payment.

You can apply on-line or by paper application for free and reduced-price meals.  To fill out an application on-line follow these steps:

• Go to www.lunchapplication.com
• Click on "apply now.”
• Select your state (Ohio) and then your School District (Olentangy Local)
• Click "continue”
• Follow the easy to use, step-by-step screens to enter student and household information
• Click "apply" to submit your application for meal benefits.

If you would like to complete a paper application, you can find the paper application on-line on the Olentangy food service web-site “Meal Assistance” or request one from the food service district office or your school office.

If you would like to limit purchases on your child’s account, please contact your child’s individual school or the Olentangy district Food Service Department at 740-657-4053/5057 or olsd_lunchaccount@olsd.us for assistance.

Seconds/extras are offered to students in second grade through twelfth grade. Seconds/extras are at an additional cost per item. Students must have funds in their account or cash to make these purchases.

Yes, all snacks available to purchase meet the federal nutritional standards, Smart Snacks in Schools. Snacks are available daily at the Middle School and High School buildings in which purchases can be made on the student’s meal account or with cash. At the Elementary level snacks must be purchased with cash only. Please contact your elementary school food service manager as to the specific day your building offers snacks.

We will allow students to “charge” a predetermined amount of meals, but will not allow seconds/extra items/snacks to be charged.  Please see Board of Education Administrative Guidelines 8500D for Olentangy’s meal charge procedure. Prompt payment of negative balances is appreciated.  

Parents must deposit money in advance to pay for their child’s lunch as the student meal account is a debit card system, not a credit card system. The debit card system helps to serve your children more efficiently by speeding up the lunch line.

Yes, parents may still choose to pay with cash on a daily basis. However, the debit card system helps to speed up the lunch line and helps end the days of children forgetting their lunch money.

You may view your child’s balance through your PowerSchool parent account at any time. Low balance (under $10.00) and/or negative balance notifications are sent by email throughout the week.

Yes, your child's balance at the end of the school year will roll over to the following school year. The balance will even roll over if they change Olentangy buildings.

Please email olsd_lunchaccount@olsd.us to request a refund.  Please include your child(ren)’s name, student ID number (if known), and the address to send the refund check.

Please email olsd_lunchaccount@olsd.us to either request a refund of the meal balance or to transfer the balance remaining to a sibling.  Please include your graduated child’s name, student ID number (if known), and the address to send the refund check or the name and student ID number (if known) of the sibling to transfer the balance.

If your student has a food allergy, yes, Olentangy schools will provide accommodation.  Please have your medical provider fill out the “OLSD Food Allergy, Disability, Special Dietary Needs Form” and send it into your child’s individual school. It is also highly recommended you contact the food service manager at your child’s school to further discuss.