Cafeteria
Student Nutrition Services
OrganicLife is proud to serve as the food service partner for Oak Lawn Community High School District 229. Locally based in Chicago, IL, OrganicLife is dedicated to nourishing young bodies and minds with freshly prepared, nutritious breakfast and lunch options every day.
Meals are planned according to strictly regulated caloric ranges, vitamin and mineral counts, and limits on sugars and fats mandated under federal school program guidelines.
| Meal Category | Standard Student Paid | Reduced Price Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Student Breakfast | $3.50 | $0.30 |
| Student Lunch | $4.25 | $0.40 |
| A la Carte Milk (per carton) | $0.60 | $0.60 |
Oak Lawn Community High School actively participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program, which are federally funded initiatives administered by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and the USDA. These programs ensure that every student has direct access to high-quality, nutritionally balanced, and low-cost or free meals each operating school day.
All school meals meet stringent nutritional criteria designed to keep students energized and focused. Reimbursable program lunches provide approximately one-third of the recommended daily allowances for critical elements including protein, vitamins A and C, calcium, iron, and calories, while adhering to precise thresholds that limit total fat, saturated fat, and added sugars.
To qualify for the standard set breakfast or lunch prices—and to ensure meals are eligible for the Free and Reduced-Price program benefits—OLCHS operates under the federal "Offer Versus Serve" (OVS) provision. This structure empowers students to choose items they prefer, lowering institutional waste while guaranteeing they take required macro-nutrients and fruits or vegetables.
Building a School Breakfast Tray
Four food items are offered daily from within three key foundational components: Fluid Milk, Grains (or optional Meat/Meat Alternatives), and Fruits/Vegetables.
- Students must select at least 3 out of the 4 offered items.
- One of the selected components MUST be at least a 1/2 cup serving of fruit or vegetable.
Building a School Lunch Tray
Five food components are offered daily on the hot line and specialty stations: Meat or Meat Alternatives, Grains (Whole Grain-Rich items), Vegetables, Fruits, and Fluid Milk.
- Students must select at least 3 out of the 5 offered components.
- One of those chosen selections MUST be a minimum 1/2 cup serving of a fruit or vegetable component.
Important Register Notice: Trays that do not meet the minimum component parameters outlined above fail to qualify as a reimbursable federal meal. Incomplete meals must be keyed by the cashier at higher, standalone individual a la carte pricing.
Families can secure free or reduced-price meal benefits through two main pathways during the school year:
- Direct Certification: Households currently receiving assistance via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, as well as children recognized under the legal custody of a foster agency, or designated as homeless, migrant, or runaway, qualify automatically. These families receive a direct approval letter from District 229 and do not need to fill out further applications.
- Household Income Application: Households not covered by direct certification can qualify based on their total gross household income. Applications must list all household members, last four digits of the adult signer's SSN, and all pre-deduction income amounts with their associated payout frequencies.
Federal Income Eligibility Scale (2025-2026)
The following income limits are utilized by school officials to establish funding approvals for the period effective from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026:
| Household Size | Annual Gross Income | Monthly Gross Income | Every Two Weeks | Weekly Gross Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $28,953 | $2,413 | $1,114 | $557 |
| 2 | $39,128 | $3,261 | $1,505 | $753 |
| 3 | $49,303 | $4,109 | $1,897 | $949 |
| 4 | $59,478 | $4,957 | $2,288 | $1,144 |
| 5 | $69,653 | $5,805 | $2,679 | $1,340 |
| 6 | $79,828 | $6,653 | $3,071 | $1,536 |
| 7 | $90,003 | $7,501 | $3,462 | $1,731 |
| 8 | $100,178 | $8,349 | $3,853 | $1,927 |
| Each Add'l Member | +$10,175 | +$848 | +$392 | +$196 |
Families can secure free or reduced-price meal benefits through two main pathways during the school year:
- Direct Certification: Households currently receiving assistance via Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits, as well as children recognized under the legal custody of a foster agency, or designated as homeless, migrant, or runaway, qualify automatically. These families receive a direct approval letter from District 229 and do not need to fill out further applications.
- Household Income Application: Households not covered by direct certification can qualify based on their total gross household income. Applications must list all household members, last four digits of the adult signer's SSN, and all pre-deduction income amounts with their associated payout frequencies.
Applications can be handled digitally or in print form:
- Online: Log into Skyward Family Access, click the "Food Service Applications" tile, and select "Add an Application" in the top-right corner.
- Paper Forms: Select from the official resources listed below to print your Household Eligibility Application (HEA) directly or view federal guidelines:
Seamless Summer Option (SSO) Meal Program
Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 is proudly participating in the Seamless Summer Option (SSO) of the National School Lunch Program for the 2026-2027 school year. During the summer break, healthy and nutritious meals that follow USDA guidelines will be available at OLCHS.
Program Highlights
- 100% Free: Breakfast and lunch will be served free of charge for all children and teens 18 years and younger.
- No Hassle: No application, no registration, and no ID are required to participate!
- Open to All: Participants do not need to be OLCHS students to receive meals.
When & Where
- Dates: Monday through Thursday | June 8th – July 16th
- Breakfast: 7:30 am – 8:00 am
- Lunch: 10:30 am – 11:00 am
- Location: OLCHS Cafeteria. Please enter at the Visitor Entrance, Door #7 (9400 Southwest Highway, Oak Lawn).
Important Note: All meals must be eaten on-site in the cafeteria. "Grab & Go" options are not available under this program.
Summer EBT (SUN Bucks) Program
Summer EBT, or SUN Bucks, is a nutrition program authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to help families buy food for their school-aged children during the summer months. For 2026, Summer EBT will provide a $120 annual benefit to eligible children via an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card issued by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).
How to Check Your Status: The Summer EBT Screener can be used to check whether your child/children will receive benefits automatically or if an application is needed. Go to abe.illinois.gov and click on "Check if I Should Apply for Summer EBT" to access the screener.
There are two primary reasons why an unexpected charge might appear on your statement:
- Incomplete Meal: You may have selected a standalone entree without completing the required component categories. Trays must meet the "Offer Versus Serve" threshold (at least 3 components, including a fruit or vegetable) to register as free.
- Extra Items / A la Carte: Free status covers exactly one complete breakfast and one complete lunch per day. Any additional items, double entrees, or separate snacks must be paid for at the time of purchase.
Yes. Your student ID must be scanned by the cashier for every single purchase. To streamline service, you can use your digital Five Star ID display directly on your school-issued iPad. Cashiers can no longer manually type in ID numbers. Using another student's ID or sharing numbers is a violation of policy and will result in a direct referral to the Dean's Office.
- Cash: Accepted directly at all cafeteria registers.
- Online Credit/Debit: Funds can be securely uploaded via your RevTrak account. Select the "Food Service" tile in Skyward Family Access and click the "Make a Payment" link in the upper right corner or navigate to the OLCHS Web Store and select "Skyward Food & Fees,"
- Business Office: Cash, check, or credit card processing is available in person at the school Business Office (Room 123).
Account balances should be routinely monitored via Skyward. If you spot a pricing discrepancy or charging error, contact Mrs. Hughes in the Business Office (Room 123) or email her directly at ahughes@olchs.org immediately so the accounting log can be reviewed and rectified.
To establish official meal adjustments for special dietary conditions or severe allergies, a signed statement of medical necessity from a licensed physician must be turned in to the school nurse. The Health Office will coordinate accommodations directly with the Office of Food Services.