Food and Nutrition

Keep your child fueled with healthy foods!  Pack a lunch, buy a hot lunch (some students may qualify for the SFUSD Free and Reduced Price Meal Program), or opt for a combination of both.

Please do not send your child to school with soda, chips or candy!

Birthday Celebrations: We celebrate birthdays differently depending on the teacher and classroom. If possible, your teacher will coordinate a time and you are invited to bring in a healthy, nut-free snack to share with the class. Suggested treats include fruit, muffins, crackers, yogurt tubes, kale chips, etc. 

Morning snack: Please send your child with a healthy, nut-free morning snack. The school also provides a morning snack of fresh, cut fruit.  

Hot lunch: Served in the cafeteria/auditorium. Free for all students. A monthly menu is provided on the district website:  http://www.sfusd.edu/en/nutrition-school-meals/menus.html

Is your child a vegetarian? Vegetarian options are available every day. However, popular items occasionally run out, so if your student will be participating in the school breakfast or lunch programs and has special diet requirements i.e. dairy free or vegetarian, please notify the office or Ms. Helen in the lunchroom.  

Food allergies?  A food allergy or allergies should be noted on your child’s Emergency Card, which is stored in the office.  Both your child’s teacher and our Cafeteria Worker will be notified.

Note:  JOES is NOT a nut-free school

We are an allergy-aware school. A table is reserved for students with severe food allergies to nuts, fish, or shellfish.

Every family must complete and turn-in your SFUSD Free and Reduced Price Meal Program application, even if you do not wish to participate.  Meal funding is based on the number of eligible applications we collect and reduces SFUSD’s budget deficit.  Children get better meals and our schools get more money.  Simply complete and turn-in your application by paper or online:  For more information please click here.

When does the hot lunch program begin?  The lunch program begins on the first day of school.

Kindergarten Tip:  Help your child practice opening food containers! Pack easy to open items you know your child can open. There are limited staff and parent volunteers to help children with lunch. We always welcome volunteer help, it’s a fun way to get to know your child’s classmates!