💵Meal Payments

Funds can be loaded onto student accounts electronically through LINQ Connect*, or by bringing cash or check to your student's building. For more information on meal pricing, and how to build a complete meal, please check our menus and prices page. 

Parent Portal FAQs.
LINQ Connect Mobile App  FAQs (English).
LINQ Connect Mobile App FAQs (Spanish).
Resource Page.

*LINQ service fee is 3.95% with a minimum of $2.85.

Please contact support@linqconnect.com if you have questions or need help with the new portal.

📩Contacts

Jessy Sadler
Director of Nutrition Services - Menus | Diet Modifications
sadlerj@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6913

Samantha Phillips
Operations Specialist - Karen Acres | Catering
phillipss1@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6914

Cassie Mayrose
Administrative Assistant - Free & Reduced Meals | Waivers
mayrosec@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6911
📆Book Me!

Nutrition Department Mailing Address

7111 Aurora Ave
Urbandale, IA 50322


NUTRITION MANAGERS

Stephanie Allsup
Webster Manager | Summer Program Coordinator
allsups@urbandaleschools.com
515-331-8653

TBD
Olmsted Manager
phillipss1@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-5808

Cynthea Streeter
Valerius Kitchen Manager
streeterc@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6509

Sanela Hasanic
Middle School Manager
hasanics@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6663

Asmira Dolic
High School Manager
dolica@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6915

What is Balanced U?

The foundation for academic and future success relies on balance. Not only is it important to balance our food intake to ensure proper nutrition, but it's also important to care for our whole bodies by staying active, sleeping well, and caring for our minds. Our goal is to provide students with the information and resources they need to build positive habits to help them thrive once they leave our schools. 

Small changes pave the way for a Balanced U.

Our mission: To promote a balanced lifestyle by empowering all students to positively engage in their own well-being through exposure to a variety of wholesome foods and wellness strategies.


New the the district? Check out this Welcome Packet of all you need to know about UCSD Nutrition Services!

School meals are changing, and we're delighted to be at the forefront of this change. As Healthy Meals Incentives School Lunch Trailblazer Awardees, we've made it our mission to introduce delicious, scratch made menu offerings while keeping our meals kid-friendly.

An Olmsted student enjoys a meal of turkey pepperoni pizza with whole grain crust, homemade roasted asparagus, and mandarin oranges.

Pictured: An Olmsted student enjoys a meal of turkey pepperoni pizza with whole grain crust, homemade roasted asparagus, and mandarin oranges.

Child Nutrition programs are more than just a breakfast or lunch each day. We bring Nutrition Education into the classroom as well with fun activities to help children learn about the benefits of eating a variety of foods!

Teachers can request Nutrition Education here. 

An image of a child holding up their artwork of the five food components: vegetables, dairy, grain, fruit, and protein.

Pictured: A PK student learns about the 5 food components and why each one is important for our bodies.

Payments & Prices

Payments made on LINQ Connect post instantly. Cash or check delivered to your child's school may take a few days to post. Please make checks out to UCSD Nutrition Services and include your child's name in the memo section.

*LINQ Connect service fee is 3.95% with a minimum of $2.85.

Close up image of homemade ratatouille.

Eat a Rainbow!

We are surrounded by a colorful array of delicious, nutrient dense foods! The best way to ensure we are receiving all of the necessary vitamins and minerals to be our best is by eating a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins! Learn more...

Looking for ways to easily add fruit and vegetable servings to your day? Try these tips. 

UCSD Nutrition Services Wins Healthy Meals Incentives Lunch Trailblazer Award!

May 15, 2024

We proudly announce that UCSD Nutrition Services received a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for making improvements to the nutritional quality of our district's school meals. Read more....

Free Summer Meals!

May 14, 2024

We're pleased to announce free summer meals will be available to all children 18 years and under! Learn more about locations, dates, and times here. 

How the nutrition team at Urbandale Community School District is bringing diverse dishes to the menu

May 14, 2024

The nutrition team is working to make sure that the entire student body, which represents 20 different countries, is able to experience a taste of home when they sit down for lunch. Read more...

Reducing Food Waste with Student Choice

April 26, 2024

In the US an astonishing 30-40% of food produced goes to waste each year. While this issue is present in all areas of the food chain, from overproduction to household waste, one area that hits close to home is the waste occurring in schools where an estimated 530,000 tons is disposed of nationwide. 


As today is National Stop Food Waste Day, we wanted to take a moment to share with you the ways we work to minimize food waste, and how you can help! 

Read More...