The Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) has launched new online school menus through a website and mobile app by Nutrislice. The interactive menus are designed to be more convenient and informative, providing access to up-to-the-minute updated content anytime, anywhere.

The innovative school menu site features nutrition and allergen information for all Howard County school meal items including carb counts, allergen filters, food descriptions and photos, along with a menu item rating system and links to MySchoolBucks pre-payment options, monthly menu email subscription sign-up and more.

“We are excited to offer interactive school menus so Howard County families and students can choose the best foods to suit their needs in nutrition and taste,” said Brian Ralph, director of HCPSS Food and Nutrition Services. “This is just one of the many Food and Nutrition Services initiatives we are proud to offer Howard County schools as we continue to expand food offerings, meal programs, healthier options and more efficient services.”

HCPSS students are enjoying more school meals with an 8 percent increase in total meals served from 2011 to last year. This increase has coincided with new menu items based on student and community feedback, serving more breakfasts and maximizing the school system’s participation in meal programs. HCPSS offers the Free and Reduced-price Meal program for eligible students across all schools. To qualifying schools, the federal Community Eligibility Provision offers free breakfast and lunch to all students, and Maryland Meals for Achievement provides free classroom breakfast to all students.

HCPSS serves approximately 4 million meals annually and participates in both the School Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program, two federally funded programs that assist in providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to students each day. Meals are paid through a convenient point of sale System that eliminates cash.

Parents and students can view their school menus online at hcpss.nutrislice.com or download the free app, “School Lunch by Nutrislice,” in the Google Play or App stores. The menus are available in four languages.