About the Survey
The 2026 survey collected feedback from 13,619 respondents, including students, parents, and staff from schools across the District. Survey responses highlighted strong participation from students while also identifying opportunities to increase engagement in lower-response regions during future survey cycles.
Responses included:
- 9,102 students
- 4,179 parents
- 338 Nutrition Support Services school-based staff members
Response Rate by ARA Region
You voted. We delivered.
The new CPS Sweet Heat sauce is ready for dipping in SY27!
What can you expect from school menus in SY26-27
- We will continue to offer students favorites like nachos, pizza, breakfast for lunch, and yogurt
- CPS Sweet Heat Sauce will be featured on menus
- SunButter offerings in school will be removed. Elementary Schools will offer WowButter. Majority of High Schools will offer Peanut Butter
School Meal Participation
Students continue to rely on school meals every day. Nearly 88% of respondents reported eating school lunch, while 65% reported eating school breakfast. Lunch remains the most important meal served at school, with breakfast presenting the greatest opportunity for continued participation growth.
Breakfast Favorites
Students showed the strongest preference for smoothies, breakfast burritos, yogurt, sweet breads, breakfast bars, and cold cereal. Hot cereal, breakfast nachos/chilaquiles, and several plant-based breakfast proteins received lower ratings.
Lunch Favorites
Students continue to prefer familiar lunch favorites.
Nachos, pizza and pizza-like items, breakfast for lunch, potatoes, breaded chicken, beef, and yogurt ranked among the most popular menu items. Cold vegetable offerings were also rated more favorably than hot vegetables.
Finding Information About School Meals
The CPS School Meals website was the most commonly selected resource, although many respondents reported they were unsure where to find meal information. These results highlight an opportunity to improve communication about menus, nutrition information, and meal resources.
Where do you get information about school meals?
How satisfied are you with the following aspects of the school meal program?
Students continue to value access to free school meals while identifying opportunities to improve food quality, menu variety, healthy meal options, and culturally relevant offerings.
Food quality remains one of the most important factors to students while also representing one of the greatest opportunities for continued improvement.
Rank the importance of the following meal program features
Students shared what matters most when choosing school meals.
Access to free school meals, cafeteria cleanliness, high-quality ingredients, menu variety, and speed of service ranked as the most important features of the school meal program.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.