Breakfast/Lunch Menus
For the 2025-2026 school year, Gray Elementary will offer
K-8 GNG (Grab and Go) breakfast and K-8 Express Lunch.
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School Food Survey
Your voice matters in the cafeteria!
Nutrition Support Services (NSS) wants to hear from you to help shape the future of school meals. Whether you’re a student, a parent, or a staff member, this is your chance to weigh in on what’s being served.
This 10-minute survey is an opportunity for each family to share their thoughts and preferences on school meals.
The School Food Survey winter period is open from Monday, January 26th through Friday, February 20th.
To learn more and to access the School Food Survey, visit cps.edu/foodsurvey. |
MealViewer
MealViewer is an online menu service that keeps school communities up-to-date on their school’s daily breakfast and lunch menus. It also allows families to create a profile for their students that includes their allergens, notifying them when that allergen is on the menu. It even gives students an opportunity to provide feedback on school meals.
MealViewer is currently available for a majority of CPS schools, with the remaining schools being added over the course of the school year.
To view the menus for Gray School or to create a MealViewer profile, please click here or download the MealViewer app.
Creating a profile is not required to view the menus for your school.
This video can provide assistance in setting up your profile, and this video shows you how to navigate the MealViewer app.
Signing Up is easy!
1. Go to or download the Gray School site mobile app and register for a free account.
2. Create a profile for you and your students by first selecting their school.
3. Set up your student’s profile by selecting the appropriate allergens and let them favorite their most loved meals. Now you will receive notifications every time any of these are served.
2. Create a profile for you and your students by first selecting their school.
3. Set up your student’s profile by selecting the appropriate allergens and let them favorite their most loved meals. Now you will receive notifications every time any of these are served.
For guidance on using Mealviewer and the Mealviewer App, see the links below:
● Setting Up a User Profile
● Nutritional Calculator
● MV App Walkthrough (English)
● MV App Walkthrough (Spanish)
● Nutritional Calculator
● MV App Walkthrough (English)
● MV App Walkthrough (Spanish)
What You Need To Know
- The New Rule:
- Starting February 1, 2026, everyone ages 18 to 64 MUST work or volunteer a minimum of 80 hours per month to qualify for SNAP benefits.
- There are some exceptions to this rule, including if you are pregnant or if you are a parent or other member of a household that includes a child under the age of 14. Click here for a full list of who is exempt from these work requirements; additional languages are available on this page.
- How This Is Different:
- Under the previous rules, the maximum age for work requirements was 54. Now the new maximum age is 64.
- Also, under the previous rules, anyone living in a household with a child under age 18 was exempt from work requirements. Now, this applies only to households with at least one child under the age of 14.
- In addition, veterans, young adults who grew up in foster care, and those experiencing homelessness were exempt from work requirements under the previous rules. This will no longer be the case; starting February 1, these beneficiaries will need to meet work requirements.
Click here for information on what activities count towards fulfilling work requirements. CPS employees who are eligible for SNAP benefits can access documentation through HR4U using the Self Service Portal.
What happens if SNAP recipients do not complete the new work requirements?
- Anyone who does not complete the monthly work requirements will remain eligible for three (3) months of SNAP benefits within a fixed three (3) year period (January 1, 2024–December 31, 2026). These months can be individual or consecutive.
- Once these three months are used up, individuals who continue to not meet the work requirements will lose their SNAP benefits, possibly for the remainder of the fixed three (3) year period (January 1, 2024–December 31, 2026).
- Individuals who lose their benefits this way are able to re-apply for SNAP if they complete the work requirements for 30 consecutive days prior to their date of application and meet other eligibility requirements.
Next Steps:
As we approach the February 1 effective date, SNAP recipients should:
- Use the illinois.gov ABE Screener Tool to check eligibility for SNAP benefits under the new eligibility requirements.
- Check to see if you are exempt from work requirements, and if so, submit exemption to IDHS right away.
- Create a plan to fulfill the work requirements if not currently working or volunteering.
Update on Changes to SNAP Noncitizen Eligibility
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is reviewing newly issued federal guidance to determine next steps and impacts on Illinois' noncitizen SNAP participants, and will share updates on its website as soon as more information becomes available.
Noncitizens who are concerned about the status of their SNAP benefits can call the IDHS Customer Help Line at 1-800-843-6154.
Resources for Supporting CPS Staff and Families
A reminder that all CPS students will continue to receive free breakfast and lunch at school every day. Below are resources for members of our CPS community who may need additional support accessing meals and groceries as a result of changes to the SNAP program:
- This CPS resource matches school locations with local food, shelter, and medical care options.
- The We Got You Illinois website includes a comprehensive list of food pantries, meal programs, and food distribution partners throughout Chicago and Cook County.
- Additional support, including SNAP enrollment assistance, is available through the Healthy CPS Hotline at (773) 553-KIDS (5437).
For the most up-to-date changes on SNAP, please visit this page from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).