**Please note Oct. 2 and 21 are PAC hot lunch days and will be unavailable on the Lunch Lady ordering system. Please go to https://ri.deltasd335.upanupstage.com/munchalunch/ to order lunch on these days.
Universal Lunch Program Letter
Starting Sept 21 2026, we are piloting a new School Meal Program at our school, in partnership with The Lunch Lady.
The Program is designed to ensure every student has access to nutritious, balanced meals during the school day, so that they are better able to learn, focus and thrive at school. Each meal includes a protein, a grain, and a serving of fruit or vegetables. Meals follow Canada’s Food Guide and the B.C. School Food Toolkit guidelines.
Each day, families can choose from the following meal options: Regular, Vegetarian, or Halal
Limited funding is available through Feeding Futures Program to support students who need it most. If your family is experiencing food insecurity or financial hardship and your child requires a meal during the school day, subsidized meals are available. Families who are unable to pay the full daily cost are encouraged to contribute what they can. Families who choose to use the School Meal Program for convenience rather than provide lunches from home are expected to pay the full daily cost.
Two Easy Ways to Order
Method #1
- Sign Up for a Pay-What-You-Can account at https://order.lunchlady.ca
- Order online for your child(ren) as little or as often as you like, anytime, with 2 school days’ notice
- At checkout, you will have the option to pay:
- The full price of $5.75 for a standard size meal or $6.75 for a larger portion
- An alternate price of your choosing (minimum $3.00 per meal)
Method #2
- Request a confidential Fully Subsidized Account – please reach out to your school principal to apply
- Your child(ren) will be guaranteed a wholesome meal each day the program is offered at no cost.
- Once you have registered, there is no further action on your part. r child(ren) will be guaranteed a wholesome meal each day the program is offered
Lunch Delivery
All meals, regardless of payment method, will be individually portioned, delivered together, and look identical, ensuring students cannot tell which meals are subsidized.
As the district changes its approach and aligns food supports to best meet students’ needs during the school day, some previous supports, such as gift cards, may be phased out. Families experiencing food insecurity at home are encouraged to access community-based supports available here.
If you have any questions about this change, please contact Kirsten Hermanson, Feeding Futures Manager, at khermanson@deltaschools.ca
If you have any questions regarding ordering meals, please contact your Lunch Guy Vim at deltalunch@thelunchlady.ca
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to inspire and nurture thriving, future-ready learners.
Elementary School Lunch Program – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the school lunch program?
Our lunch program provides fresh, daily meals to all students through a trusted external catering partner, The Lunch Lady. The program is designed to be inclusive, convenient, and accessible for every family. The Lunch Lady is a Canadian organization that has been providing nutritious, high-quality meals to students in Canada for more than 30 years. To learn more, visit thelunchlady.ca
2. Who can participate in the lunch program?
All students are welcome to participate. This is a universally accessible program, meaning no student is excluded based on financial circumstances.
3. How does the payment system work?
We use a sliding scale model to ensure affordability for all families:
- Full Pay – Families who can pay the full cost of meals
- Pay What You Can – Families choose an amount that fits their budget (minimum of $3.00 per meal)
- Full Subsidy – Meals are fully covered for families who need financial support
All payment selections are handled confidentially. For a full subsidy, contact your school principal.
4. How do I enroll my child?
Families can register for an account at https://order.lunchlady.ca. If your family requires a subsidy, please contact the Principal..
5. What meal options are available?
We offer a variety of meal choices to meet dietary needs and preferences: Regular, vegetarian or Halal
Menus are shared in advance so families can review options.
6. Can my child switch meal options?
Students receiving subsidized meals are asked to choose between a regular, vegetarian or halal-friendly option for all meals as part of the registration process. This helps keep the program running more efficiently and smoothly.
7. Are the meals healthy?
Yes, all meals are planned to meet nutritional guidelines appropriate for elementary-aged children, focusing on balanced portions and wholesome ingredients.
8. How is food safety handled?
Our catering partner follows strict food safety and handling standards. Meals are prepared, packaged, and delivered in compliance with health regulations.
9. What kind of packaging is used?
All meals are provided in recyclable containers to support environmentally responsible practices. We encourage students to dispose of empty containers in designated recycling bins and take home any food that was not eaten.
10. What if my child has allergies?
- Method #1 – Please complete the Lunch Lady allergy form during registration as instructed
- Method #2 – Please indicate any allergies to the school office when registering for a Fully Subsidized account .
Please note that while The Lunch Lady operates peanut and tree nut free facilities, other allergens are present in the kitchen. Families should review menu items before ordering if they have specific meal concerns. While the Lunch Lady can make some accommodations, nothing can be guaranteed 100%. If your child has a life-threatening complex allergies, they should not participate in the school meal program.
11. What happens if my child is absent?
Your child’s meal will be kept in the school refrigerator for the next day. We cannot provide any refunds.
12. What about PAC Hot Lunch?
The school meal program will not operate on PAC Hot Lunch days. Please sign up for lunch on those days if your child requires lunch. If your family is receiving a full subsidy for the school meal program, your child will receive a PAC Hot Lunch.
13. Why are you introducing this new School Meal Program?
The provincially funded Feeding Futures Program was introduced in 2023, initially for three years, to help ensure that students have reliable access to nutritious food throughout the school day. When students have consistent, healthy meals, they are better able to learn, focus, and thrive at school. The program’s mandate is to meet students’ food needs in a way that is inclusive, accessible, non-stigmatizing and nutritious.
Delta schools have been using this funding in various ways to provide food support to students. Now that the Annual Feeding Futures funding is expected to continue, the Delta School District, after reviewing research and best practices from across the province, has decided to adopt a more consistent, sustainable, and efficient approach by partnering with a trusted external catering provider, The Lunch Lady.
14. Who do I contact for help or more information?
For questions about registration, payments, or menu options, please contact Vim at The Lunch Lady at deltalunch@thelunchlady.ca