Welcome to FHPS Food Service!
Food is a big part of everyone’s well-being, and Forest Hills Public Schools’ students need a place to eat where they can connect with others, recharge, and enjoy a sense of happiness in their school. That’s why we serve food kids love to eat and create programs that encourage fun and discovery.
Our foodservice team is passionate about using fresh, nutritious, minimally processed and locally sourced ingredients, and we foster a sense of adventure in students through experiential learning activities – all with healthier students, healthier communities and a healthier planet in mind.
Our goal every day is to make sure that Forest Hills Public Schools’ students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than when they came in!
Learn more about the National School Lunch Program and view real life comparisons in this easy to read document: Welcome to the School Nutrition Program.
Important Updates from Food Service
FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH FOR ALL STUDENTS!
For the 2024-2025 school year, Forest Hills Public Schools is joining the Michigan School Meals Program. Students in all FHPS school buildings can get one free breakfast meal and one free lunch meal each day. Breakfast will now be available at all schools when the doors open for students to enter each morning until the start of the school day. See your school’s website for times when students are allowed to enter the building.
Although meals are free, qualifying families should still apply for free or reduced price meals. These applications are critical in determining the funding our school receives from a variety of State and Federal Supplemental programs, including, but not limited to: Instructional Supports, non-Instructional services, professional learning for staff, parent and community engagement supplies and activities, and technology. Your family may also receive benefits outside of school such as reduced fees for activities, discounted internet service, and more.
Please go to this link for more information about food assistance in Michigan: Michigan Food Assistance Program Information for Families.
What to Expect for Breakfast
Before going to class in the morning, your child can stop by the cafeteria for a breakfast consisting of healthy whole grains, hearty proteins and a variety of fresh or dried fruit. White or chocolate low-fat milk and a second option of fresh, dried, frozen or canned fruit will be available for your child to add to his/her meal at no cost. Check out our updated breakfast menu at https://fhps.nutrislice.com/
- K-4 & K-5
- K-4 & K-5 students will receive an ID barcode card that will be placed in a plastic card holder and attached to the student’s backpack. Students who want breakfast should come to the cafeteria when they arrive at school.
- NOTE: It is important for students to have their backpack with them in the cafeteria for breakfast so the attached ID barcode card can be scanned by a food service employee. This process is for meal-claiming purposes only and will not charge your child’s account for breakfast.
- High School, Middle School & 5/6 students should take their student ID badge with them to the cafeteria to help expedite the lines.
- Goodwillie & Transitions students will pre-order breakfast a week at a time. Breakfast pickup will be at a designated location in your school.
What comes in a lunch?
K-4 & K-5 Elementary Schools – Your child will have a choice of three main entrees every day, including a hot vegetarian option. Each lunch comes with a choice of white or chocolate low-fat milk, and a variety of fresh and prepared fruits and vegetables. NOTEWORTHY: Choice #3 now changes daily to offer students more variety throughout the week!
5/6 Schools, Middle Schools and High Schools – Students in these grade levels have many options from which to choose! The 2Mato station includes homemade pizza by the slice, hot-baked pasta dishes and flakey croissants stuffed with gooey cheese, pepperoni, ham or meatballs. Students can enjoy alternative meat options such as Impossible burgers and Vegan Chik’n nuggets on the Grill station, where they will also find crispy chicken tenders, Bosco sticks and a variety of hot sandwiches such as fresh grilled burgers, chicken sandwiches and daily specialty sandwiches such as Monte Cristo and Philly Cheesesteak. The On the Go includes fresh prepared items, such as fresh baked sub sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, salads and yogurt parfaits. The Create station includes a variety of home-style meals, pasta dishes, and Global cuisine. Our Sono line (available at all high schools and EMS) serves made-to-order tacos, nachos, burritos and rice bowls. All meals include a choice of a variety of fresh and prepared fruits and vegetables, and a choice of low-fat milk.
What about a la carte?
A la carte items are available for purchase at 5/6 buildings, middle schools and high schools. Such items include bottled beverages, homemade chocolate chip cookies, assorted varieties of packaged chips and snacks and cartons of milk* ($.65).
One free breakfast and one free lunch is available to each student per day. Additional meals may be purchased a la carte using funds in the student’s account. Students will not be allowed to purchase a la carte items if funds are not available on their account.
All of our a la carte offerings meet the USDA Smart Snacks Standards for food and beverages.
*Please note that milk is included in a reimbursable meal. Charges for milk only apply if milk is chosen without a reimbursable meal or if an additional milk is taken with a meal.
Meal Magic Family Portal
The Meal Magic Family Portal https://foresthills.familyportal.cloud/ is your one-stop site for managing your child’s meal account. Once you’ve created your personal account, you will be able to apply for free and reduced price meal benefits.
Although breakfast and lunch is free for all students this school year, you are still encouraged to apply for free or reduced price meals. This information is critical in determining the amount of money that our school receives from a variety of State and Federal Supplemental programs, including, but not limited to: Instructional Supports, non-Instructional services, professional learning for staff, parent and community engagement supplies and activities, and technology. Your family may also receive benefits outside of school such as reduced fees for activities, discounted internet service, and more.
The best way to get started is by going https://foresthills.familyportal.cloud/ where you can log in to your current account, or create a new account. Click on “How-To Videos” or “Instructions” for help.
After creating your account and completing the meal application, you will also be able to:
- View your child’s detailed purchase history
- View current account balance
- Make an online deposit
- Transfer funds between your children
- Access and change parental controls, such as a daily spending limit and low balance reminders
To deposit funds into your child’s account using a credit or debit card, you must have a Meal Magic Family Portal account. You may also add funds to your child’s account with cash or check in your school’s office or at the Food Service Office (160 Alta Dale Ave SE, Ada MI 49301). Make sure all cash or check deposits are clearly marked “Food Service” and include your child’s name and student ID.
If your child has funds remaining at the end of the school year, these funds will transfer with your child to the next grade level for as long as your child remains in the FHPS district.
If you have any questions or concerns relating to meal account deposits, please contact the Food Service Office at foodservice@fhps.net or 616-493-8774.
Interactive School Menu
Visit fhps.nutrislice.com for menus and nutritional information
The way you access your student’s school menus is by using the above Nutrislice interactive website. In addition, you may download a free app for a smartphone or mobile device to view things when you’re on the go. The website and app allow you to see menu item descriptions and photographs, filter common food allergens, translate the menus into another language, view calories, calculate carbs and much more.
Did you know free meals are available over the summer?
Inclement Weather
When school is canceled due to inclement weather, the meal that was scheduled to be served on the inclement weather day will be served on the return day of school.
Example: Tuesday is an inclement weather day. Tuesday’s menu will be served on Wednesday, the return day.
Quick Links
Check out our Chartwells Discovery Kitchen at Home site! It includes recipes for you and your family to try, fun activities, and tons of information about chartwells!
Financial Assistance
You can apply online on the Meal Magic Family Portal. When using this site, you will no longer need to send in the paper application. Once the application is reviewed, you will receive a letter indicating if the application was approved as free, approved as reduced price, or denied. Please be aware that any benefits will begin only after the food service representative has reviewed your application. Benefits cannot begin immediately as a determination of eligibility must be made. Any charges to the account before the application is approved will be your responsibility.
Although meals are free, qualifying families should still apply for free or reduced price meals. These applications are critical in determining the funding our school receives from a variety of State and Federal Supplemental programs, including, but not limited to: Instructional Supports, non-Instructional services, professional learning for staff, parent and community engagement supplies and activities, and technology. Your family may also receive benefits outside of school such as reduced fees for activities, discounted internet service, and more.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can fill out a paper application. Paper applications are available in school offices, or you can print one using the links provided below. Once completed, mail your application to:
Forest Hills Public Schools Food Service Department
160 Alta Dale Ave SE
Ada, MI 49301
Our goal is to serve up Happy and Healthy meals to all students. Please call the Food Service Office at (616) 493-8774 for CONFIDENTIAL help in applying for free or reduced-price meals.
- Apply for financial assistance
- Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application
- Child Nutrition and Education Benefits Application in other languages
- How to apply for MI School Meals
- FAQs about MI School Meals
- Sharing Information with Other Programs
Meal Charge Policy
All students will be allowed to purchase a reimbursable meal regardless of their lunch account balance. If a child’s lunch account balance is zero or below, we will offer a reimbursable meal; however, they will not be allowed to purchase any à la carte items. This will create a negative balance on their account. Negative and/or low balance reminders will be emailed twice weekly to the email address on file. Parents and/or guardians are responsible for the negative balance accrued on their student(s) accounts.
Special Dietary Needs
Please contact Dawn Mosey, email: dmosey@fhps.net, or call 616-493-8783 if you have questions or concerns about a student’s dietary needs. If your student has a special dietary need due to a disability or medical issue, special dietary accommodations can be made. Please complete the Medical Statement to Request Special Meals and/or Accommodations and mail to the Food Service Office:
160 Alta Dale Ave SE
Ada, MI 49301
Wellness Policy
Catering Options
Forest Hills Public Schools Food Service Department Catering helps you make sure your event is perfect—from planning to the presentation! We have an experienced and passionate team dedicated to your event, and for your convenience, our chefs have created menus with popular, seasonal and perfect pairings. This is just a sample of what we offer, so don’t hesitate to share your ideas—we’re here to make them happen.
Whether your plans call for a small reception or a gourmet dinner, our catering team will work with you every step of the way.
And the icing on the cake: yes we do fabulous desserts, but also ordering through FHPS Catering means you’re doing something great from the start—proceeds from the event go directly back to Forest Hills Public Schools.
Interested in placing a catering order? Use our online order form!
Executive Chef:
Jason Crim (jcrim@fhps.net)
Phone: 616-493-3370
Fax: 616-493-8784
Food Service Employment
Forest Hills Public Schools is looking for qualified employees to serve as school nutrition professionals! If you are a reliable and trustworthy person that would like to serve the students and staff of the district on a full or part-time basis, please consider applying for a food service position. You can start your online application and view our available positions on TalentEd, and visit the Human Resources homepage for more information.
Consider the benefits of joining the food service team:
- Work the same schedule as your children – summers, nights and weekends off
- Paid time off including holidays, personal time and sick time
- Priority school of choice for out of district families
- Continued paid training, including ServSafe Manager course and certification
- Free shift meal
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USDA Non-Discrimination Statement
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877- 8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
- mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or
- fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or
- email: program.intake@usda.gov
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
USDA Civil Rights Complaint Link: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf
Forest Hills Public Schools is proud to partner with Chartwells K12 to serve up happy and healthy meals!
