Chartwells - Food Service

Free meals for all students for the 2025-2026 school year

All MPS students will receive free universal breakfast and lunch for the 2025-2026 school year

Middle School Chefs: Enter the Discovery Kitchen Cookoff!

An image of food preparation on a table with info about the cookoff

Calling all middle school chefs! Show off your cooking skills and have fun with friends by participating in the Discovery Kitchen Cookoff on Tuesday, February 24.

How it works: Each team of 2-4 middle school chefs will submit a recipe of their choosing ahead of the competition date. Pick a recipe that's meaningful in some way (a favorite meal, a family specialty, a cultural icon, etc.). On February 24 in the Dow High School cafeteria, you'll have 75 minutes to prepare your recipe for a panel of judges. Awards will be given for first-, second-, and third-place dishes!

Competition Rules:

  • Participants must be MPS middle school students.
  • One entry is permitted per team.
  • Each team will have 75 minutes to prepare their dish during the competition event.
  • Participants must maintain health standards when handling food.
  • Participants' entries will be judged on taste, visual appearance, teamwork, and following instructions.
  • The decision of the judges is final.

Registration Info:

Registration is free and will be open from Monday, January 12 to Monday, January 26, 2026. 

Choose from one of the entry form options below. Return your completed entry form in person to Cafe staff at your school or by email to Executive Chef Jonathan Morsello at morsellojj@midlandps.org.

Food Service Applications

These applications determine your eligibility for state benefits for which your child(ren)'s school may qualify and help our schools secure essential state and federal funding. All families should complete an application.

What form do I fill out?

If your child attends Central Park Elementary or Plymouth Elementary, please complete the Education Benefits Form (PDF paper copy linked below) or select "Education Benefits Form" in the online portal. If your child attends any other MPS school, please complete the Food Service Application (PDF paper copy linked below) or select "Application" in the online portal.

2025-2026 Food Service Online Application - Midland Family Portal
2025-2026 Food Service Paper Application (PDF)
2025-2026 Education Benefits Form (PDF)
** Please note: processing paper applications can take up to 10 days once received in the food service office. Parents are responsible for their students' balance during this process.
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what makes a lunch

Food is a big part of everyone’s well-being, and 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 nutrition services team is passionate about using fresh, nutritious, minimally processed, and locally sourced ingredients. We foster a sense of adventure in students through experiential learning activities, designed with healthier students, healthier communities, and a healthier planet in mind.

Chartwells is MPS' food service partner. Our goal every day is to make sure that students leave the cafeteria happier and healthier than when they came in! To learn more about our food service partner, visit the Chartwells website.   

More Resources

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group of young students holding apples
student in line being served
Discovery Kitchen ladies speaking to class
young student being served meal
Midland-Chartwells logos

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

In accordance with Federal 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, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, and 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 https://www.ascr.usda.gov/ sites/default/files/USDA-OASCR%20P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002- 508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf, 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;


Fax:   (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442

Email:   program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider