School Lunch Information

The Child Nutrition department is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, well being and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.

Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.

Paying for Lunch

This school year, healthy meals will be offered every school day to all students at no cost. Typically, a student’s household must meet income eligibility requirements to qualify for free or reduced-price meals. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance that allows schools to offer meals to all students at no cost for the 2021-2022 school year.

While no application or eligibility determination process is required for a student to receive free meals this school year, the income eligibility requirement will likely resume in the 2022-2023 school year.

Families will still get a form to complete.

Even though child nutrition does not need the income eligibility to feed free meals this year, the district does still need this information. Families will be asked to complete an income information form for Richardson ISD at all campuses.

Meal service will proceed as usual.

Students will go through the serving line as usual and select the food items of their choice. The meal pattern requirements have not changed! We will continue to use the point of sale for records keeping and a la carte sales. Parents can put money on their student's meal account if they want them to be able to make purchases.

Reimbursable meals are free, not extras!

Reimbursable meals will be at no cost to persons 18 and under. Second entrees, extras and a la carte items will need to be paid for by students with cash or money on their account via PayPAMS.

PayPAMS was designed to provide parents with a safe and convenient way to prepay for student's meals online. Parents can set up automatic payment plans, view balances and account history, and receive automated notification on balance status. Click here to set up/access your account. Your child will receive a pin and be taught how to use it at school.

School Menu and App

RISD is pleased to announce a Mobile Menu App that offers an easy way to view menus and nutrient information for products right from your smart phone. The menus may also be found here.

The new "Web Menus" mobile App includes:

Interactive Nutritional Menus
- Daily menus
- Menu item nutrient information
- Menu item description
- Menu item photos
- Menu item allergens
PDF Documents
Link to Online Payment Provider
Link to Nutrition Services website
Info section “All About School Lunch”