
A healthy child is a happy child, and that starts with the proper nutrition to get through the day. All schools participate in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP). Our lunches are required to meet specific nutritional guidelines according to different grade level groups (K-5, 6-8, and 9-12). For more detailed information about the federal regulations please visit the USDA National School Lunch Program homepage.
Our Mission
The Food Services Department aims to provide appealing and nutritionally balanced meals to the students, staff, and other patrons of the school community, while maintaining fiscal responsibility and contributing to the quality of the educational experience.
Pandemic-EBT Card
P-EBT Call Center
The Virginia Department of Social Services P-EBT call center is open Monday-Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 866-513-1414 or 804-294-1633 for all household P-EBT questions.
P-EBT Replacement Card Instructions
Call 1-866-281-2448, logon to https://www.connectebt.com/, or download the ConnectEBT app on a mobile device.
P-EBT card accounts did not use the parent/guardian's Social Security Number (SSN) or the parent/guardian's date of birth (DOB). When P-EBT households use the automated system, (phone, website, or mobile app) to request a replacement card or access account information, they should use the following information at each step.
-
"Enter P-EBT card number" - for replacement card, bypass by pressing "2" to use personal information.
- "Enter primary cardholder's SSN" - all PEBT cardholders must enter 000000000, not their own SSN.
- "Enter primary cardholders DOB" - all P-EBT cardholders should enter the oldest student's DOB, if there was more than one student's benefits on the card. It is the same student DOB that was used to PIN the card.
- "Enter PIN" - PEBT cardholders should enter the PIN of the card they are seeking to
Menus
All of our school menus can be accessed online.
Free School Meals
Hanover County Public Schools is serving meals at no charge to children 18 years old and under through at least December 31. More information can be found here.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced flexibility in September that allows for meals to be served to our students at no charge to start the year. Families can still add funds to their MySchoolBucks accounts for à la carte items.
View more information on Free and Reduced Meals.
Meals for Online School Students
Hanover County Public Schools is offering curbside grab-and-go breakfast and lunches for Online School families at no charge on Mondays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Meals can be picked up from the following locations:
- Battlefield Park Elementary School, 5501 Mechanicsville Turnpike, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
- Beaverdam Elementary School, 15485 Beaverdam School Road, Beaverdam, VA 23015
- John M. Gandy Elementary School, 201 Archie Cannon Drive, Ashland, VA 23005
- Mechanicsville Elementary School, 7425 Mechanicsville Elementary Drive, Mechanicsville, VA 23111
- South Anna Elementary School, 13122 Walton’s Tavern Road, Montpelier, VA 23192
If there is no school on a Monday, meals will be served the next day of school.

The meals provided will be the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.
For more information about this program, please contact HCPS Food Services at (804) 365-4566.
Online Payments & Account Management
Check your child's balance, view their purchases, and add money to your child's meal account using your VISA, MasterCard, or Discover Card through MySchoolBucks.
-
Please be sure to bring your meal account in the school cafeteria up to date by paying off all the charged meals before the end of the school year.
-
Positive and negative account balances will automatically carry over to the next school year as your child moves up a grade or to a new school.
Food Allergies & Disabilities
Hanover County Public Schools has a responsibility to serve well-balanced meals to all students. We will provide alternate foods for students with a disability (i.e., cerebral palsy, metabolic disorders, etc.), if requested. The food services department must receive written documentation from your child’s doctor. The doctor’s note should state the disability and/or allergy and what foods are appropriate. Diet order forms are available through our office.
A food intolerance or an allergy that does not cause anaphylaxis does not meet the definition of a disability. We are happy to work with you and your child to find alternative items on the menu whenever possible.
Children with a non-disabling milk allergy or lactose intolerance can ask the food service staff for a cup of water with their meal or request lactose-free milk by contacting the registered dietitian. No other beverage substitutions are allowed.
Please call our office at 365-4654 to receive a diet modification form or to speak with our Registered Dietitian about your questions or concerns.
Local School Wellness Policy
Hanover County strives to promote proper nutrition and physical activity to enhance overall wellness and academic success. Please view our wellness policy for more information.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Hanover County is an equal opportunity provider. Please view our non-discrimination policy for more information.
Contact Us
Central Food Services
Cafeteria Managers
723-3675
723-3675
723-3675