Free School Breakfast and Lunch at Muhlenberg School District

The district's food service department follows the regulations of the National School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program and the Summer Food Service Program, and participates in the Community Eligibility Provision. A letter to households about the Community Eligibility Provision is posted on the Food Services page in English and Spanish.

Meals follow a traditional menu with Offer vs Serve. Students are offered daily 1 serving of meat or meat alternate, 2 servings of fruits and vegetables, 1 serving of bread or bread alternate and 1 serving of milk. Students are encouraged to take at least 3 of these 5 components to qualify as a meal. One serving of each item is included in the price of the meal. Separate or individual items are charged at ala carte prices. Monthly menus for the high school and for kindergarten through grade 12 are posted on the Food Services page at muhlsdk12.org.

Because student meals are free, no money is needed for a child's breakfast or lunch. The district still operates all cashier functions under a computerized Point of Sale System, and all students have individual accounts and are identified with an identification number and picture, which families can use for ala carte purchases. Money may be deposited into a student's account by check or cash, with checks made out to Muhlenberg School District Cafeteria Account. Credit card deposits may be made at myschoolbucks.com, where you can also check your child's cafeteria account balance. All payments must be made using a cafeteria envelope, which can be obtained at any school office, cafeteria or the Administration Building, and all deposits must be returned for each student individually to that student's school building. Money left over at the end of the school year is automatically rolled over to the next school year.

There is a $20.00 returned check fee, which is payable 30 days from receipt of non sufficient funds notice, and the original amount of the check is deducted from the student's meal account at notice of non sufficient funds. If the district receives two returned checks from the same family, it will only accept cash payments. If a student has any charges on their account, they may not purchase any ala carte items until all charges are paid in full. The district will provide an alternate lunch if a student has no means to pay for their meal.

Staff breakfast costs $3.05 and staff lunch costs $5.05.

Meals are served at the district's four schools: Muhlenberg Elementary Center, C. E. Cole Intermediate School, Muhlenberg Junior High School and Muhlenberg High School. The page does not say what time meals are served.

With questions, you can reach Carey Kline, Director of Food Service and Nutrition, at (610) 921-8000 ext. 3524 or klinec@muhlsdk12.net, or Cathy Salesky, Food Service Business Administrator, at (610) 921-8000 ext. 3514. Food service managers are Julie Haas at the high school, (610) 921-8078 ext. 4284; Bobilyn Gehris at the junior high school, (610) 921-8034 ext. 3243; and Sherry Hoffman for the elementary and intermediate schools, (610) 921-8028 ext. 6114. The district's general number is 610-921-8000, with a Spanish line at 610-921-8000 x5535, and the Administration Building is at 801 Bellevue Avenue, Reading, PA 19605.

The district also takes part in the Giant Feeding School Children program, and the page notes that summer feeding programs may also be available in the area.

Source: muhlsdk12.org/departments/food-services, read October 28, 2026.

The details

In Muhlenberg School District’s words

Our food service department will provide nutritious meals for our students and staff in a courteous and professional manner. We follow the regulations of the National School Breakfast Program, the National School Lunch Program, Summer Food Service Program, and participate in the Community Eligibility Provision.

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