Frequently Asked Questions

#1 General Information

How can I learn more about The School Lunch Association?

For more information, visit our website at https://schoollunch.ca. Our website provides detailed information about our programs, impact, and ways to get involved.

How many meals does the program serve each day? - 2023

The program serves over 6,700 meals each day, ensuring that school children have access to a nutritious lunch.

In how many schools does The School Lunch Association operate?

The program operates in 43 schools across Newfoundland, reaching a wide range of students in need.

What is the mission of The School Lunch Association?

The mission of The School Lunch Association is to operate a non-stigmatizing program that provides a hot, nutritious lunch for school children, regardless of their families' financial situation.

Is The School Lunch Association a registered charity?

Yes, The School Lunch Association is a registered charity dedicated to improving the lives of school children by providing them with nutritious lunches.

Charity # 13591 2319 RR0001

Does The School Lunch Association rely on donations to fund its programs?

Yes, the Association relies on generous donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to fund its programs and ensure children receive a hot, nutritious lunch every day.

#2 Online Registration, Ordering and Payments

How do I register my child?

Click "Register/Order" on the top of this website.

How do I know when ordering is open?

When you visit the “menu” section on our website, you will see a calendar that outlines the school year. Dates for ordering open/close, statutory holidays, and school closure dates are listed. We also send email reminders, including mid-week reminders and on the day of the ordering deadline. You can opt into text message reminders by emailing [email protected]. Follow us on social media for updates.

What happens if I miss the deadline to order?

While we strive to accommodate late orders, it can be challenging due to advance food procurement. If you miss the deadline, we’ll do our best to provide lunches during the second or third week of the month.

What if I don’t get paid until after the deadline to order?

If you've already ordered but need to pay after the deadline, we prefer you send an Email Money Transfer (EMT) with your child’s name and school in the subject line.

Does The School Lunch Association rely on donations to fund its programs?

Yes, the Association relies on generous donations from individuals, businesses, and organizations to fund its programs and ensure children receive a hot, nutritious lunch every day.

#3 Refunds and Cancellations

What happens if my child is sick and misses their ordered lunch?

Your child’s meal will be donated to another child if they miss a day for which you have ordered.

Will lunches be refunded on days when school is closed for inclement weather and other school closures?

Generally, we do not issue refunds in these instances, as our food product was already procured and on site and we respectfully request that you consider the payment for the lunch as a donation to our charitable program.  However, if this does present a concern for you, we request that upon placing your next order you adjust the total when in the payment window and subtract the amount you believe you are owed.  All payment options provide the ability for you to “Pay-What-You-Can” as our mission is to provide a lunch for children regardless of their family’s financial situation

just learned that my child’s school has a Professional Development Day (PD Day) for teachers and school is closed but I ordered for that day.

Why was this day an option to order if the school had a PD Day?

PD Days differ from school to school and while our staff maintain consistent contact with all school administrators, PD Days can often be scheduled by the school after our menus have been published.  As such, we kindly ask that you consider donating the proceeds of what you paid for the day to the program. However, if this does present a concern for you, we request that upon placing your next order you adjust the total when in the payment window and subtract the amount you believe you are owed.  All payment options provide the ability for you to “Pay-What-You-Can” as our mission is to provide a lunch for children regardless of their family’s financial situation.

#4 Meal Options and Ingredients

Can you supply an ingredients list?

A list of ingredients for each menu item is available on the top menu bar of our website, along with Provincial School Food Guidelines.

Do you have gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian options? Why is there only one meal option each day?

We currently do not offer gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian options. Due to storage and staffing limitations, we only provide one meal option daily. We suggest reviewing the menu with your child before ordering.

Do you serve pork?

No, pork is not served in any of our meal options.

#5 Donations and Support

Where can I donate and can I receive a receipt for tax purposes?

Donations can be made by clicking the “Donate” button on our website. You will be prompted for your information and can request a tax receipt.

#6 Contact Information

How can I contact you?

For any questions, please contact us at 709-754-5323 or via email at [email protected].