How do I pay for my child(ren)'s meals?
There are several ways to make a payment on their meal accounts. Go to www.paypams.com and set up an online account where you can pay from home. Automatic recurring payments, email notifications on balances, pay by phone and other features are available. All of your children will be on one account. Use credit cards, debit cards or bank account transfers.

OR send a check or cash with your children to school. Put in an envelope marked with the student’s name and meal account keypad number. Checks must only be for Nutrition Services, made out to Saint Paul Nutrition Services, with the name of your child in the memo line and phone number on the check. Change can not be given for checks or cash.

How will I know when I need to add more money?
Each Friday a phone call is made to families with low and negative balances. School cafeterias also send reminder notices home with students. Balances can be viewed at www.paypams.com or on the Parent Portal site (2 day delay). You may also call the school cafeteria.

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Will my kids be refused a meal if they have a negative balance?

Elementary students are allowed to charge up to 5 meals, Secondary students are allowed 1 charged meal. If they have reached their limit on charged meals, they will be given a cheese sandwich and milk. A la carte items are not allowed to be charged. Charging is not allowed after May 15th of each year so please insure there is money in their accounts. Any money remaining at the end of the school year will transfer to next year, even if they transfer to another St. Paul Public School.

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If my child qualifies for Free lunch, how does the account balance become negative?
Parents are responsible for any meal account charges until the application is processed. It is not immediately effective when you turn in the application. You will receive a letter from Nutrition Services with the effective date they can get free or reduced lunches. Until then, please send money for their lunch and/or breakfast.

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Can students receive extras if they are still hungry?
Students are able to purchase a second breakfast or lunch. Elementary students are able to purchase a second breakfast for $1.20 and a second lunch for $2.00. Secondary students are able to purchase a second breakfast for $1.30 and a second lunch for $2.30. The higher meal price is because we receive Federal and State reimbursements for the first meal only. The cafeterias also have a "seconds" table where students can put any unopened, wrapped item that they are not able to eat. Any student who is still hungry can choose items from the "seconds" table.

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Are students able to purchase extra items?
The high schools offer an a la carte line where they sell a variety of food items from beverages to snacks. The middle schools offer a more limited a la carte line. In the elementary schools, students may purchase any item that is on the menu for that day. Price lists are posted in the cafeterias.

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