Debt Collection & Charging Meals

🍽️ Free Meals for All Students — Every Day!

East Valley School District proudly participates in the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), allowing every enrolled student to receive:

✅ One full breakfast
✅ One full lunch
Every school day — at no cost to families.

🚫 Charging Is Not Allowed for Certain Items

The district does not allow charging for the following:

À la carte items (e.g., extra entrées, snacks, milk-only purchases)
Second meals
Adult or guest meals

⚠️ Why this matters:
Charging for these items creates financial strain on the Child Nutrition Program and is not permitted under our current meal policy.

💳 How to Make a Payment (for extra items or adult meals)

If you wish to purchase extra items, second meals, or meals for adults, payment must be made in advance or at the time of purchase.

Payment Options:

Online: Pay securely by credit card via your Skyward Family Access account
In Person: Cash or check payments may be made during school hours
Send with Student: Payments can be brought to the cafeteria by your student

📌 Food Service staff are not permitted to give change, so please provide exact amounts when paying in person.

📬 Unpaid Meal Debt Policy

Although all students now receive free meals under CEP, some student accounts still have unpaid balances from before CEP began. Families are responsible for repaying this prior debt.

Notifications:

Families with a negative Food Service balance will receive regular communications from the Food Service Department
These notifications may include phone calls, emails, or letters requesting payment

Support & Understanding:

The Food Services team may work with:

School principals
Counselors
Teachers
...to better understand each family's situation and provide support or payment options on a case-by-case basis

🧾 What Is Considered Uncollectable Debt?

Meal debt will be considered uncollectable if:

The student is no longer enrolled in the district for at least one full month, and
The Food Service Department has made at least two documented attempts to contact the household via phone, email, or mailed letters

Questions?

If you need assistance with your student’s account, setting up a payment plan, or viewing your balance in Skyward, please contact:

Ivone Zuniga – Food Service Secretary
📞 (509) 573-7466
📧 [email protected]