Universal free school meals for all students is now permanent in Massachusetts! Here is more information on Wellesley Public Schools lunches for the 2023-24 school year, and how best to take advantage of the universal free meals program.
For all levels, parents and students can access daily menus through FDMealPlanner.com, search for “Wellesley,” and select the appropriate school. Each lunch or menu item includes full nutritional information, including allergens. The site has a tool that allows for narrowing your selections based on allergens or dietary information.
All elementary school lunches are free. In order to get a free school meal at the middle and high school levels, students must take a complete meal that meets all nutritional requirements. Otherwise, a la carte prices apply. More information by level:
- Elementary School: Lunches are free, but if a student wants just milk or juice, a $0.75 charge will apply.
- Middle and High School: Only complete lunches and breakfasts are free. For example, a full pizza lunch (pizza slice, appropriate side, milk) is free, but just pizza purchased by the slice is $3.50. Students who bring their lunches can purchase milk or water. At the high school, select lunches carry an additional fee – see menus at FDMealPlanner.com. Signage is present at both WMS and WHS to help students make selections.
Wellesley Public Schools recommends that any charges be paid through an account at MySchoolBucks.com, though WPS also takes payments by check. At MySchoolBucks, each student has an individual account. Parents may make a deposit that applies to as many of their children as they like. Each deposit requires a $2.75 program fee.
Whitsons Culinary has increased its organic and local offerings in recent years, including free range eggs, organic yogurts and granolas, and when possible, fruits and vegetables grown within 400 miles.
Director Matt Delaney, who has managed the Whitsons program since it started at WPS ten years ago, is committed to continuous improvement. “We want to make an impact nutritionally for the kids – keep them nourished so they can learn better when they go back to the classroom,” Delaney said.
Open Positions at Whitsons
The expansion of the universal free school meals program since the start of the pandemic has significantly increased demand for lunches at WPS, and Whitsons is in need of additional employees. Part-time positions are available at both the elementary and middle school levels.
These school-year positions are for approximately five hours a day between 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., with some flexibility on start and end times. Ideal candidates enjoy interacting with students and supporting their well-being with nutritious meals. Interested individuals should contact Matt Delaney of Whitsons at (781) 446-6210 Ext. 5708, or mdelaney@wellesleyma.gov.