Durham Public Schools Cafeteria Menu: What’s for Lunch Aug. 24-28, 2026
Traditional-calendar students return Monday. Here’s what DPS is serving for breakfast and lunch during the first week back.
Wes Platt
By Wes Platt, wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
🍎 Durham Public Schools Cafeteria Menu: Aug. 24-28, 2026
Durham Public Schools cafeterias will welcome traditional-calendar students back with chicken cheesesteak nachos, steak and gravy, chicken nuggets, pizza, and other choices during the week of Aug. 24-28.
Breakfast and lunch remain free for all DPS students. The district also says new menu items and recipes will join the rotation after Labor Day.
🍳 Breakfast Menu (K-12)
Breakfast includes a choice of low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice. Whole-grain cereal and cereal bars are available as daily entrée options.
| Day | Entrée | Side |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Aug. 24 | Super Donut (V); Pre-K: yogurt cup (V) | Chilled peaches |
| Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Fruited bread slice (V) | Applesauce |
| Wednesday, Aug. 26 | Scrambled eggs with toast | Fruit cup |
| Thursday, Aug. 27 | Breakfast muffin (V) | Mixed fruit |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | Crispy chicken biscuit | Hash brown rounds |
👧 Elementary School Lunch
Wowbutter and jelly (V) is available as a daily entrée option. Lunch includes a choice of low-fat or fat-free milk and fresh fruit.
| Day | Entrée Options | Sides |
| Monday, Aug. 24 | Chicken cheesesteak nachos or fiesta bean nachos (V) | Refried beans, Mexicali corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Steak and gravy with roll or yogurt snack pack (V) | Mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and fruit choice |
| Wednesday, Aug. 26 | Chicken and vegetable dumplings in teriyaki sauce or macaroni and cheese with roll (V) | Steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, and fruit choice |
| Thursday, Aug. 27 | Chicken nuggets with roll or barbecue flatbread (V) | Seasoned greens, sweet potato fries, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | Assorted pizza options or cheese pizza (V) | Green beans, vegetable choice, and peaches |
🧑 Middle School Lunch
Assorted pizza options and Wowbutter and jelly (V) are available as daily entrée choices. Lunch includes a choice of low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice.
| Day | Entrée Options | Sides |
| Monday, Aug. 24 | Chicken cheesesteak nachos or fiesta bean nachos (V) | Refried beans, Mexicali corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Steak and gravy with roll or yogurt snack pack (V) | Mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and fruit choice |
| Wednesday, Aug. 26 | Chicken and vegetable dumplings in teriyaki sauce or macaroni and cheese with roll (V) | Steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, and fruit choice |
| Thursday, Aug. 27 | Chicken nuggets with roll or barbecue flatbread (V) | Seasoned greens, sweet potato fries, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | Assorted pizza options or cheese pizza (V) | Green beans, vegetable choice, and peaches |
🧑🎓 High School Lunch
Assorted pizza options and Wowbutter and jelly (V) are available as daily entrée choices. Lunch includes a choice of low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice.
| Day | Entrée Options | Sides |
| Monday, Aug. 24 | Regular or spicy chicken sandwich or cheese-filled breadsticks with marinara (V) | Sweet potato fries, steamed corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Aug. 25 | Cheeseburger on bun or veggie burger on bun (V) | Oven potatoes, barbecue baked beans, and fruit choice |
| Wednesday, Aug. 26 | School favorite entrée or deli turkey sub | Glazed carrots, steamed broccoli, and fruit choice |
| Thursday, Aug. 27 | Chicken chunks with roll or assorted pizza | Seasoned greens, vegetable choice, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Aug. 28 | Beef hot dog on bun or fish and chips basket with roll | Steamed carrots, oven potatoes, and chilled peaches |
🍽️ New Choices Coming After Labor Day
DPS says cafeterias are starting the school year with familiar favorites while staff put the finishing touches on new items and recipes. Those additions are expected to begin appearing in the menu rotation after Labor Day.
💵 Meal Prices and Menu Notes
Breakfast and lunch are free for all DPS students during the 2026-27 school year.
- Adult breakfast: $2.50
- Adult lunch: $4.50
- Milk purchased separately: 50 cents
Menus are subject to change. The symbol (V) identifies a meatless entrée.
DPS cautions that cross-contact with food allergens is possible and that ingredients, recipes, and manufacturers’ product formulations can change. Families with questions about a specific food or recipe can contact Durham Public Schools Nutrition Services at 919-560-2370.
Wes Platt
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Wes Platt
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