Free Breakfast & Lunch for Every Student

Our Passionate, Qualified Team Makes The Difference

Nutritious meals help power every school day in Akron Public Schools, and our Child Nutrition Services team is at the heart of it. From preparing balanced, dietitian-approved meals to serving students with care, this team helps ensure every child has access to free breakfast and lunch and is ready to learn.

We are actively hiring individuals seeking meaningful, school-day work with great benefits, including paid time off and opportunities for growth. Whether you are starting a new career or looking for a flexible work environment, there is a place for you on our team.

Join us in making a daily impact for students across APS.

Food Safety Certifications

We are proud to say that nearly 90% of our employees are ServSafe Certified. This exceeds the Ohio Department of Health’s requirement to have just one certified employee per site. Our team is known for going above and beyond!

Regular Training

Our staff undergoes yearly training to strengthen the influence school nutrition professionals have in their community and to build skills that empower staff to lead and efficiently operate school nutrition programs.

Dietitian-Approved Menus

The Department of Child Nutrition employs one Registered Dietitian and a chef to work with our staff to help develop nutritious, balanced menus.

MENUS:

Elementary Breakfast/Lunch

Secondary Breakfast/Lunch

APRIL

MAY

SPECIAL DIET

Join Our Team!

Looking for work that fits your life? APS Child Nutrition Services offers school-day schedules, making it a great option for parents and anyone who wants consistent, family-friendly hours. Many positions are part-time and aligned with the school calendar.

We are actively hiring for 20+ school cafeteria positions across Akron Public Schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

Perks include:

Work while your kids are in school
Be off when school is off, including Winter, Spring, and Summer breaks
School-day hours, typically finished before the last bell rings
Paid holidays and sick time
Opportunities for advancement and growth

This is meaningful, fast-paced work that directly supports students every day. If you are ready for a job with strong benefits and real impact, explore our open positions today!

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Community Impact

Breakfasts Served: 1,446,593

Lunches Served: 2,375,577

After-School Snacks Served: 64,086

Summer Meals Served: 77,904

(From 2024 - 2025 School Year)

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive free meals?

All students enrolled in Akron Public Schools are eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch each school day. We know that when students are well-fed, they are better able to focus throughout the school day. Free meals help remove the barriers to learning and support a more equitable environment where all students have the same opportunity to succeed.

At APS, making sure no child goes hungry is a core part of supporting academic achievement and student well-being.

Who is preparing my child's meals?

Meals are prepared by the APS Child Nutrition Services staff, who care deeply about each student’s success and well-being. Our team works hard every day to provide nutritious meals that help students remain focused and ready to learn.

Food safety and training are a top priority. In fact, 90% of APS Child Nutrition employees are ServSafe Certified, far exceeding the Ohio Department of Health requirement that only one certified employee be present per site. This commitment reflects our team’s commitment to go above and beyond, ensuring safe meal service across all schools.

What types of meals are served?

We serve a variety of meals each day, all approved by our Registered Dietitian and designed to be both nutritious and delicious. Our goal is to offer food your child will enjoy while also giving them the fuel they need to focus throughout their school day.

Monthly menus are also posted so families can easily see what meals are being served throughout the school year. A Special Diet menu is available for students with different dietary needs. Together, these options help ensure every student has access to meals that meet their needs.

Does your menu accommodate food allergies?

Yes. We take food allergies seriously and ensure every student can eat safely at school. You can view our Special Diet menu above, which provides substitutions and accommodations for students with dietary needs.

If your child has a life-threatening food allergy, please notify the Child Nutrition Department. Our team is trained to follow strict food safety protocols to help reduce risk and support a safer environment for your student.