Durham Public Schools Cafeteria Menu: What’s for Lunch Oct. 12-16, 2026
Year-round students return Monday, just in time for DPS cafeterias to celebrate National School Lunch Week. What’s cooking under the “Cafeteria Circus” big top?
Wes Platt
By Wes Platt, wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
🍎 Durham Public Schools Cafeteria Menu: Oct. 12-16, 2026
Year-round students are back, and DPS is turning National School Lunch Week into a “Cafeteria Circus.” What’s on the menu Oct. 12-16?
Year-round students return Monday, Oct. 12, following their fall intersession, giving Durham Public Schools a full five-day week across its main calendars.
The week also brings grilled chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, honey chili sriracha chicken, pizza, and a collection of circus-themed lunch names. Breakfast and lunch remain free for all DPS students.
🎪 National School Lunch Week
National School Lunch Week runs Oct. 12-16 with the theme “Cafeteria Circus.” The district’s elementary and middle school calendars have given several familiar dishes big-top names, including Circus Crunch nachos, Dumplings Daredevils, Mac and Cheese Magic, and Ringmaster’s Chicken Nuggets.
The celebration also recognizes the school nutrition employees who prepare and serve meals throughout the district.
🥞 K-8 Breakfast
| Date | Menu |
|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Super Donut (V); chilled peaches. Pre-K: Blueberry Belgian waffle (V) |
| Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Turkey sausage croissant; applesauce |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Yogurt cup with granola (V); fruit cup. Pre-K: Yogurt cup (V) |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Breakfast muffin (V); mixed fruit |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Crispy chicken biscuit; hash brown rounds |
Breakfast includes low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice. Whole-grain cereal and cereal bars are available daily.
🍳 High School Breakfast
| Date | Menu |
|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Breakfast pizza; chilled peaches |
| Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Croissant sandwich; hash brown rounds |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Whole-grain bakery item (V); fruit cup |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Scrambled egg entrée; mixed fruit |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Biscuit sandwich; hash brown rounds |
High school breakfast includes low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice. Daily alternatives include whole-grain cereal, cereal bars, donuts, Pop-Tarts, muffins, and Wowbutter sandwiches. A fruit and yogurt parfait with granola is also available Tuesday through Thursday.
🏫 Elementary School Lunch
| Date | Entrée choices | Sides |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Chicken cheesesteak nacho Circus Crunch or fiesta bean nacho Circus Crunch (V) | Pinto beans, Mexicali corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Spectacular steak and gravy with a roll or Acrobat yogurt snack pack (V) | Mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and fruit cobbler |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Chicken and vegetable Dumplings Daredevils or Mac and Cheese Magic with a roll (V) | Steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, and fresh fruit |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Ringmaster’s chicken nuggets with a roll, Fantastic barbecue flatbread (V), or Daring deli chef salad with a roll | Local seasoned greens, oven potatoes, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Assorted Big Top pizza options or Big Top cheese pizza (V) | Baby carrots with dip, tossed salad with dressing, and peaches |
Wowbutter and jelly (V) is available daily. Lunch includes low-fat or fat-free milk and fresh fruit.
🎒 Middle School Lunch
| Date | Entrée choices | Sides |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Chicken cheesesteak nacho Circus Crunch or fiesta bean nacho Circus Crunch (V) | Pinto beans, Mexicali corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Spectacular steak and gravy with a roll or Acrobat yogurt snack pack (V) | Mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and fruit cobbler |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Chicken and vegetable Dumplings Daredevils or Mac and Cheese Magic with a roll (V) | Steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, and fresh fruit |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Ringmaster’s chicken nuggets with a roll, Fantastic barbecue flatbread (V), or MS to Go Daring deli chef salad with a roll | Local seasoned greens, oven potatoes, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Assorted Big Top pizza options, Big Top cheese pizza (V), or MS to Go Daring deli chef salad with a roll | Baby carrots with dip, tossed salad with dressing, and peaches |
Assorted pizza and Wowbutter and jelly (V) are available daily. Lunch includes low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice.
🎓 High School Lunch
| Date | Entrée choices | Sides |
|---|---|---|
| Monday, Oct. 12 | Grilled chicken sandwich or cheese-filled pizza sticks with marinara (V) | Sweet potato fries, steamed corn, and spiced apples |
| Tuesday, Oct. 13 | Cheeseburger on a bun or veggie burger on a bun (V) | Oven potatoes, barbecue baked beans, and fruit choice |
| Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Honey chili sriracha chicken with rice or protein pack (V) | Steamed broccoli, glazed carrots, and fresh fruit |
| Thursday, Oct. 15 | Soft tacos or deli chef salad with a roll | Cherry tomatoes with dip, green beans, and chilled pears |
| Friday, Oct. 16 | Beef hot dog on a bun or chicken Philly sandwich | Coleslaw, oven potatoes, and peaches |
Assorted pizza and Wowbutter and jelly (V) are available daily. Lunch includes low-fat or fat-free milk, fresh fruit, and 100% fruit juice.
💵 Meal Prices and Menu Notes
- Students: Breakfast and lunch are free for all students.
- Adult breakfast: $2.50
- Adult lunch: $4.50
- Milk: 50 cents
- (V): Meatless entrée
- Menus are subject to change.
⚠️ Food Allergy Information
DPS prepares food in commercial kitchens where cross-contact with allergens is possible. Ingredients may also change because of substitutions, recipe revisions, or manufacturer updates. The district cannot guarantee that any menu item is completely free of allergens.
Families with questions about a particular food or recipe can contact Durham Public Schools Nutrition Services at 919-560-2370.
Wes Platt
Get Connected
- Send email to your neighborhood news guy: wes.platt@southpointaccess.news
- Follow on Threads.
- Connect on Instagram!
- Join our Discord community
- Join the Southpoint Access subreddit!
Wes Platt
🤝 Support Our Sponsors
Local journalism in South Durham survives thanks to the generous businesses and organizations that make this work possible. 🧭
By supporting these sponsors, you’re helping Southpoint Access continue to deliver trusted, hyperlocal news and resources for our community - from school updates to neighborhood stories that keep South Durham connected.
Want to become a sponsor? Sign up here!
💛 Shop local. Hire local. Support those who support Southpoint Access.
![[Video] Nerdspresso Phase II: Next-Gen Horror](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/10/obsession.jpg)
![[The Gourmand Next Door] What's So Super About "Super Tuscans?"](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/10/25fb1f99ec4d2f26814c317a88653efe.jpg)
![[SoDu We Work] Public service and campus jobs lead this week’s SoDu guide additions](https://storage.ghost.io/c/50/33/50334374-93a7-4cf9-ba69-d7d51c63be2a/content/images/size/w600/2026/10/jobsguide829.png)