💵Meal Payments
💵Meal Payments
Embedded Files
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.Â
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
📩Contacts
Jessy Sadler
Director of Nutrition Services - Menus | Diet Modifications
sadlerj@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6913
Samantha Phillips
Operations Specialist - Karen Acres | Urbandale Middle School | 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
Eden Essy
Olmsted Manager
essye@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-5808
Cynthea Streeter
Valerius Kitchen Manager
streeterc@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6509
Asmira Dolic
High School Manager
dolica@urbandaleschools.com
515-457-6915
What is Balanced U?
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.Â
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.
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!
Pictured: A PK student learns about the 5 food components and why each one is important for our bodies.
Free & Reduced Meals
Free & Reduced Meals
The Free and Reduced Price Meals application must be completed annually. Any application submitted before July 1, 2025 will expire 30 days into the 2025-2026 school year.
Payments & Prices
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.
Eat a Rainbow!
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.Â
2025 Summer Food and Fun Program
2025 Summer Food and Fun Program
May 15, 2025
We are excited to announce that UCSD Nutrition Services will be providing FREE summer meals to all kids 18 and under from June 9, 2025 to July 31, 2025. Sites will be closed July 3rd and 4th in observance of the holiday. Learn locations and times here.
Graduating Senior Meal Balances
Graduating Senior Meal Balances
May 14, 2025
Congratulations to the Class of 2025!Â
Graduating seniors with siblings in the district will have funds transferred to their siblings the week of May 26th and there is no action required from you. If your senior does not have a sibling or you do not wish for the funds to be automatically transferred, please fill out this Google Form to indicate if you would like to refund or donate your remaining funds. For refunds, a check will be mailed approximately 2-4 weeks after the form is completed. If we do not receive a response by May 30, 2025 we will assume you intend to donate to the Unpaid Student Meals Fund.
To avoid unintended automatic fund additions, please make sure you have turned off auto-replenish in LINQ Connect. Auto-replenish will be disabled district wide May 27, 2025.
We offer your senior our warmest congratulations on their achievement and wish them well in their future endeavors!
(Note: If your senior will be returning in the fall and you wish for the balance to remain, please contact the Nutrition Office at mayrosec@urbandaleschools.com or 515-457-6911.)Â
What will you find? Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
What will you find? Spring Nature Scavenger Hunt
April 17, 2025
What better way to combine National Garden Month and National Move More Month than a nature themed scavenger hunt? Using the activity sheet as a guide, enjoy sunshine and warm weather by going on a walk throughout your garden, neighborhood, or local park and see what you can find! Remember to tag us on Facebook and Instagram (@NutritionUCSD) with your discoveries!
Celebrating National Nutrition Month with Alphabet Lunch Bingo!
Celebrating National Nutrition Month with Alphabet Lunch Bingo!
February 26, 2025
Calling all Elementary students! To celebrate National Nutrition Month we're going on an Alphabet Adventure with School Lunches in March and April by trying foods that start with almost every letter of alphabet!
Each time you try a food on the list, mark it off and see if you can get a BINGO! (5 in a row.) On the second page add a drawing of your favorite food you tried.Â
When you're done, bring your Bingo sheet back to school in May and we'll have a special drawing for a fun prize! Don't forget to include your name, teacher's name, and the school you go to! Have fun and enjoy eating your way through the alphabet!Â
UCSD Nutrition Services Wins Healthy Meals Incentives Lunch Trailblazer Award!
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!
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.Â
How the nutrition team at Urbandale Community School District is bringing diverse dishes to the menu
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...
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