Child Nutrition Services
- Welcome and Contact
- Menus
- Forms and Policies
- Resources
- Service and Support
- FAQs
- Student Offer vs Serve Video
Welcome and Contact
Fueling Student Success
Solana Beach School District participates in the National School Breakfast & Lunch Programs. Our Child Nutrition Program is dedicated to serving children healthy and nutritious meals. We are committed to ensuring that food choices of high nutritious value and strong customer acceptability are available to students every school day. We support learning by providing healthy habits for lifelong nutrition.
Nutritious & Delicious: Celebrating Healthy Choices in Our School Meal Program
At Solana Beach School District, we believe that nutritious meals fuel academic success. Our lunch program is packed with a wide variety of healthy, delicious, and kid-friendly options that reflect our commitment to student wellness and balanced eating. From global flavors, like Chana Masala Wraps with Cucumber Raita and Sopa de Albondigas, to comforting classics, like Spaghetti Bolognese (with a tofu option!) and Grilled Ham & Cheese, every student can find something to enjoy.
Thanks to our new Central Kitchen, we've expanded our scratch cooking, bringing more freshly prepared meals made with care and quality ingredients. We proudly use local organic produce and natural, hormone-free meats whenever possible, ensuring our students get the very best on their lunch trays.
We offer daily vegetarian selections, fresh salads, like the Asian-Inspired Chop Salad and California Cobb Salad, and seasonal favorites, like our Cinnamon French Toast with Turkey or Veggie Sausage. Many items are freshly prepared by our Central Kitchen or assembled onsite with high-quality ingredients for maximum freshness and flavor.
With whole grains, fresh produce, plant-based proteins, and culturally diverse meals on the menu, our school lunches support healthy habits and happy bellies—one bite at a time!
Child Nutrition Services
We are pleased to announce that Universal Meals legislation has been renewed. Solana Beach School District will be providing all students daily breakfast and lunch at no charge for the 2025-26 school year.
The Solana Beach School District (SBSD) participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. At SBSD, all students will receive nutritious meals free of charge every school day. The meal programs we participate in are supported by federal and state reimbursements that are based on household income and eligibility. Although meals are free of charge, families are encouraged to submit a meal application. The information collected on the meal application ensures our schools receive adequate funding and can offer your family additional benefits such as discounted fees. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free meals. If there are more household members than the number of lines on the application, attach a second application. Visit titank12.com for more information(External Website).
The Child Nutrition Services team remains committed to offering freshly-prepared and healthy meal options to all students. Meals include entree, fresh fruits and vegetables, and milk. Menus can be found on both the District and individual school websites. Visit the Lunch Menus page at sbsd.net.
Breakfast Service will be available during the Morning Recess period and Lunch Service during scheduled lunch time. All students are encouraged to participate.
Please check the school website for the daily schedule.
Department Contacts
Lorretta Farlow
CNS Coordinator -
CNS Coordinator -
Solana Highlands, Solana Pacific, Solana Ranch, & Solana Vista
Phone: (858) 794-7178
Email
Menus
Next Month's Menus
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MENU ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. Please note, not all allergens may be included or excluded from the menu listing. If dietary concerns are an issue, please check back frequently for any potential changes.
BREAKFAST: ** All Breakfasts include fresh fruit and low-fat or no-fat milk **
Monday: 1/5: Strawberries & Cream Mexican Breakfast Bread; 1/12 & 1/26 Pancake Bar (D)
Tuesday: Whole Grain Cereal & Milk (D)
Wednesday: Mexican Concha Breakfast Bread (D/E)
Thursday: Yogurt & Cinnamon Snack Crackers (D)
Friday: BeneFIT Breakfast Bar (D/E)
** Hard Boiled Eggs Available Daily **
LUNCH for Carmel Creek, Skyline, Solana Highlands, Solana Pacific, Solana Ranch, Solana Santa Fe, Solana Vista: January 19-23
LUNCH for Carmel Creek, Skyline, Solana Highlands, Solana Pacific, Solana Ranch, Solana Santa Fe, Solana Vista:
January 19-23
Monday: Martin Luther King Holiday - No School
Tuesday: ** See appropriate school for daily menu items **
Carmel Creek / Skyline / Solana Highlands / Solana Santa Fe: Cheese Pizza (D/V) OR Tuna Salad Sandwich (F)
Solana Pacific / Solana Ranch / Solana Vista: Cinnamon French Toast Sticks, Turkey Sausage Vegetarian Option: w/Veggie Sausage (D) OR Tuna Salad Sandwich (F)
Featured Salad of the Day: Asian Cucumber Salad (S/V)
Wednesday: Crispy Chicken Tenders, Homestyle Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Green Beans (D) OR Vegetarian Chili, Shredded Cheese, Cornbread (D/V) OR Avocado Caprese Wrap (D/V)
Featured Salad of the Day: Cilantro Pasta Salad (D/E/V)
Thursday: ** See appropriate school for daily menu items **
Carmel Creek / Skyline / Solana Highlands / Solana Santa Fe: Cinnamon French Toast Sticks, Turkey Sausage Vegetarian Option: w/Veggie Sausage (D) OR Turkey Club Sandwich (D)
Featured Salad of the Day: Mexican Quinoa Salad (D/V/GF)
Friday: Teriyaki Chicken Bowl, Sticky Rice, Edamame, Matchstick Carrots, Shredded Red Cabbage OR Mexican Albondigas Soup (Beef Meatball), Tortilla Chips (D) OR California Cobb Salad, Dinner Roll (D/E)
Featured Salad of the Day: Broccoli Salad (D/E/V/GF)
Fresh Salad Bar Available at Each School Daily
D - Dairy, E - Egg, F - Fish, S - Sesame, SF - Shellfish, V - Vegetarian, GF - Gluten Free, GF* - Can be served Gluten Free
All Recipes are Nut Free.
For other Food Sensitivities and/or Dietary Observances, Hummus Box or Fruit & Yogurt Box meals are available.
Forms and Policies
Meal Applications
Meal Applications are now being accepted for the 2025-26 school year.
For online applications see here.
The Solana Beach School District (SBSD) participates in the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. At SBSD, all students will receive nutritious meals free of charge every school day. The meal programs we participate in are supported by federal and state reimbursements that are based on household income and eligibility. Although meals are free of charge, families are encouraged to submit a meal application. The information collected on the meal application ensures our schools receive adequate funding and can offer your family additional benefits such as discounted fees. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated. You or your children do not have to be U.S. citizens to qualify for free meals. If there are more household members than the number of lines on the application, attach a second application.
Wellness Policy
For more information on the Wellness Policy and Triennial Assessment, please click here.
For more information on our District Wellness Committee or Board Policy on Student Wellness, please contact Lauren Leahy, Executive Director Student Services, at 858-794-7187 (laurenleahy@sbsd.net) or John Paul Kachaluba, Director of Child Nutrition Services, at 858-794-7121 (johnpaulkachaluba@sbsd.net) for more information.
SBSD Meal Prices
The SBSD Child Nutrition Services (CNS) proudly provides fresh, delicious lunch menu selections daily.
Price List
Adult breakfast: $4.50
Adult lunch: $6.25
Explore our CNS web pages to view school menus.
Payments and Refunds
Online Payment Information
No Payments are being accepted at this time. Students may receive a meal for breakfast and a meal for lunch and they will not be charged.
Refund Requests
Requesting a refund for any unused lunch money is simple. Please email Child Nutrition and type Refund Request on the subject line of the email.
Please include:
- Child’s name
- Amount of refund requested, if known
- Mailing address
Child Nutrition Services will verify remaining balances and a refund check will be processed if a remaining balance exists. Please allow at least 15-20 business days for the refund check to be processed.
Civil Rights Complaint Policy Procedures
Resources
Letter to Households for Free and Reduced-Price Meals (California Universal Meals
Food Assistance Partnerships
Healthy Classroom Celebration Resources
- Healthy Birthday Ideas in English and Spanish
- Classroom Party Ideas (University of California Cooperative Extension and the Children's 5 a Day-Power Play! Campaign)
- Food Free Celebrations (Massachusetts Public Health Association)
- Healthy Celebrations (Connecticut State Department of Education)
- Healthy Halloween Alternatives
- Ghoulishly Great Ideas for a Healthy Halloween (Center for Science in the Public Interest)
- Healthy School Snack Ideas from the Center for Science in the Public Interest
- Alternatives to Food as a Reward
Earned Income Tax Credit
View Earned Income Tax Credit Document(PDF, 58 KB)
State Validation Review
Currently, California Department of Education chooses 25% of the schools state-wide to conduct a School Nutrition Meal Pattern Validation Review, which partially consists of the following:
Meal Observation:
Schools must be able to identify the components of a reimbursable meal, offering the five components consisting of milk, fruit, vegetables, grains, and meat/meat alternate. Of these, they must select ½ cup fruit or vegetable component. Students are allowed to decline up to two of these components.
Lunch Meal Documentation:
The state agency assess menu compliance with the daily lunch components requirements, and also the types of milk offered. Menu production records must include daily type and quantity of food used, number of meals planned and served.
Lunch Certification Documents:
Menu assessment, worksheets, and nutrient analysis submitted for certification along with manufacturer nutrient data sheets of convenience food items.
The Solana Beach School District was randomly selected for the validation review, which was conducted the week of February 3, 2025.
We report that the Solana Beach School District received an excellent Validation Review and was found to be in compliant in all areas tested with a comment received from our State Reviewer, “Congratulations on an excellent review.”
Summer Meals Promotional Flyer
Service and Support
FAQs
Child Nutrition Services
2025/26
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why are students encouraged to take a certain amount and variety of foods?
As a participant in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), which provides funding for Solana Beach School District (SBSD) meal program operations, SBSD must abide by certain requirements and restrictions. The USDA has developed guidelines and recommendations concerning proper and appropriate meal pattern requirements for students. In order for the district to receive funds for each student’s meal, the meal must include 3 of the following 5 components: protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. All meals must include a fruit or vegetable. Click here for a visual on meal component requirements.
Why are school meals free?
California was the first state in the nation to provide free meals for all. Currently every student in the state of California may receive a free meal at breakfast and at lunch.
Click here for more information on Universal Meals.
If school meals are free, why am I still asked to complete a Free/Reduced Meal application if my family falls below a certain income threshold?
Federal and State requirements for the National School Lunch Program mandate school districts collect income information. For families meeting the qualifications, it allows for additional benefits (after-school programs, access to internet, scholarships, etc.). Click here for meal applications.
How do I find the menu and how often do menu items change?
Menus are available weekly and found on the SBSD website or via individual school site pages with the ‘Lunch Menus’ link. SBSD / Carmel Creek / Skyline / Solana Highlands / Solana Pacific / Solana Ranch / Solana Santa Fe / Solana Vista Menu items are added and rotated each month.
How are meals prepared?
Meals are prepared fresh daily at each school site based on standardized recipes and nutritional requirements using local ingredients when available.
Are vegetarian meals available?
Vegetarian entrees are frequently available and are noted on the menu. SBSD salad bars are available daily.
What do I do if my child has food allergies or other health related diagnoses?
Food allergens are listed on the weekly menus. If your child has a specific need, please contact the CNS office at (858) 794-7121 as well as the school site to discuss the possible options.
Do any meals contain nuts?
CNS does not serve food that contains nuts, however, we are not a true nut free
facility. Items may be processed in facilities that also process nuts and other allergens. In the instance a recipe contains seeds or coconut, that will be noted on the weekly menu.
Can my student still bring meals from home?
Yes. Students may always bring meals from home.
Can the kitchen heat my child’s meal brought from home?
Unfortunately, the kitchen staff is unable to reheat meals brought from home.
What if my child isn’t a fan of what’s on the menu that day?
If your child doesn’t favor a particular menu item, we encourage a home prepared meal be sent to school that day.
Why does SBSD serve chocolate milk?
USDA requires that schools offer at least two types of milk. CNS serves both 1% low-fat white milk and nonfat chocolate milk.
Can SBSD serve a milk alternative?
SBSD is required to serve ‘dairy’ milk. If your child has a specific need, please contact the CNS office at (858) 794-7121 as well as the school site to discuss the possible options.
Why does SBSD serve juice?
100% fruit juice fulfills the USDA mandated fruit requirement. While we encourage the consumption of whole fruit items and offer a selection daily, a 4 ounce serving of 100% fruit juice is available to students.
Is water available?
Fresh water is available at filling stations adjacent to most cafeterias. Students are encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to school.
If my child is still hungry, how can they get more food?
Every student may receive, and the district is reimbursed for, one free breakfast and one free lunch entrée daily. These meals are based on recommended portion size and nutritional requirements. In addition, salad bars offer an unlimited selection of fresh fruits and vegetables and protein packed items such as legumes, hard boiled eggs and quinoa. Students are welcome to bring additional food items from home as desired.
How do students provide menu input?
Students are encouraged to ask questions and share opinions on the menu through daily interaction with kitchen staff, taste tests, point of purchase surveys, and during CNS supervisor site visits.
Why do students have to scan a meal card?
Schools are required to provide proper accounting for the Universal Meals program. An accurate number of meals served must be maintained for funding purposes. This is managed through the Point of Service system by entering or scanning a student’s ID number.
Student Offer vs Serve Video
Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, marital status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA (not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing deadlines vary by program or incident.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the State or local Agency that administers the program or contact USDA through the Telecommunications Relay Service at 711 (voice and TTY). Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program discrimination complaint, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, AD-3027, found online at How to File a Program Discrimination Complaint and at any USDA office or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by: (1) mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; (2) fax: (202) 690-7442; or (3) email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.