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FAQ

Updated

2025–2026 season at a glance

  • Registration & lunch orders open: September 8
  • First day of service: September 24, 2025

General information

What is the mission of the School Lunch Association?
To operate a non-stigmatizing program that provides a hot, nutritious lunch for school children, regardless of their family’s financial situation.

How many meals does SLA provide each day?
We serve over 6,700 lunches each school day.

How many schools participate?
SLA currently supports 46 schools across Newfoundland & Labrador.

Is SLA a registered charity?
Yes. Donations to SLA are eligible for tax receipts. (Note: meal payments are not donations and are not receiptable.)

Where can I learn more?
Explore programs, impact, and ways to help at schoollunch.ca.

Registration & accounts

When does registration open, and is there a fee?
Registration opens September 8. A one-time annual fee helps cover startup costs: $10 (one child), $15 (two children), $20 (three or more).

How do I register?
Go to schoollunch.ca and create an account with your email. If you don’t have internet access, call 709-754-5323 (ext. 221) and we’ll assist by phone.

How do I create an ordering account for my child?
During registration, add your child’s name, school, and grade. You can manage additional children under the same login.

Ordering & deadlines

When do menus open for ordering?
Menus open monthly with a posted deadline. Check the Meal Ordering Calendar on the site for open/close dates, holidays, and no-service days.

How do I get reminders?
We email a notice when menus open, a mid-week reminder, and a deadline-day reminder. You can also opt in to text reminders by emailing [email protected].

How do I order?
Sign in at schoollunch.ca → Menus / Order, select your school’s monthly menu, and choose the days you want.

Can I change my order after submitting?
Yes—until the posted deadline. After the deadline, changes are limited because food is procured in advance.

What if I miss the deadline?
We’ll try to accommodate late orders, but availability may be limited. If we can’t start the first week, we aim to begin in week two or three of the month.

Why was a PD Day listed as orderable?
PD Days can be set by schools after menus are published. If a PD Day affects an order, we ask families to consider it a donation; if that’s a concern, you can adjust the total on your next order.

Payments & financial assistance

How much does a meal cost?
Requested price is $5/day, but SLA operates Pay-What-You-Can—from $0 up to the full amount. Your contribution is confidential.

How do I pay for meals?

  • Online: Visa, Visa Debit, Debit Mastercard (Pay-What-You-Can is supported at checkout).
  • Email Money Transfer (EMT): send to [email protected]. Include your child’s name and school in the subject.
  • If your family cannot pay right now, select the “unable to pay” option—your child will still receive lunch.

I’m paid after the ordering deadline—how do I settle up?
Send an EMT to [email protected] with your child’s name + school in the subject line.

Are there refunds for weather closures or other school closures?
Generally no. Food is ordered and on site in advance. We ask families to consider the payment a donation. If this presents a hardship, adjust the total on your next order at checkout.

What if my child is sick and misses their ordered lunch?
The meal is donated to another child that day.

Reminder: Meal payments are not donations and do not receive tax receipts. Charitable donations made through our Donate page do receive tax receipts.

Day-of-service issues

My child was supposed to get lunch but wasn’t on the list—why?
This is rare. Our teams prepare a few extra meals daily. Please call us the same day and we will investigate and ensure your child is fed.

Food & nutrition

Where can I find ingredients and nutrition info?
See Ingredients in the top menu (or the mobile hamburger menu). We also link the Provincial School Food Guidelines there.

Do you offer gluten-free, dairy-free, or vegetarian options? Why only one option per day?
Not at this time. To meet guidelines and manage storage, staffing, and equipment across schools, we offer one daily option. Review the monthly menu with your child and only select the days they’ll eat.

Do you serve pork?
No. Pork is not included in any menu item.

How are meals prepared and served?
Meals are prepared and served in-school by trained SLA staff, following provincial nutrition and food-safety guidelines.

My child has allergies—what should I do?
Check the Ingredients list and contact us with details so we can advise and note the allergy.

Donations & community support

How can I donate, and will I get a tax receipt?
Use the Donate button on schoollunch.ca. We accept major credit cards and Interac debit; Apple Pay/Google Pay may be available. Charitable donations receive tax receipts. (Again, meal payments are not donations.)

Other ways to help?
You can donate, volunteer, or organize a fundraiser. Every bit helps us keep lunches non-stigmatizing and accessible.

Staying informed & contact

How do I stay up to date?
Follow our social channels, watch for menu emails, and opt into text reminders (email [email protected]).

How do I contact SLA?

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