Your first day on the cafeteria line — you've got this.
Your site admin will have set up your account before your first shift. You need:
When you arrive at your terminal, you'll see the PIN entry screen.
This is what you'll do hundreds of times a day. It takes about 5 seconds per student.
The scanner reads the barcode on their ID card. No card? Type the number on the keypad.
You'll see the student's name, photo, grade, and a colored dot indicator. Do not announce or discuss the dot color — see the compliance section below.
Tap the meal type from the menu (Breakfast, Lunch, Snack). The system automatically selects reimbursable components.
Second milk, extra fruit, à la carte items — tap to add to the order.
Tap Complete Sale. The system processes payment and shows the receipt.
When a student is looked up, you'll see colored dots next to their name. These dots tell the system how to process the meal — but you don't need to know what they mean.
⚠️ FEDERAL REQUIREMENT — 7 CFR 245
The dots exist so the system can handle pricing automatically in the background. Your job is to serve the meal. The system handles the rest.
Type the student ID number manually using the keypad. If you don't know the number, ask the student their name and use the name search.
The student may be new or not yet imported. Use the Guest Meal option and note the student's name. Report to your site manager after service.
MiMeals will warn you if a paid student's account is low. Follow your district's policy — most districts allow charge meals up to a set limit. The system tracks this automatically.
MiMeals prevents duplicate reimbursable meals. If a student scans twice for the same meal type, you'll see a warning. They can still purchase à la carte items.
Open the Recent Transactions panel (bottom-left), find the transaction, and tap Void. Only the last 30 minutes of transactions can be voided by cashiers — older voids need a manager.
Still stuck?
Ask your site manager or check the Troubleshooting Guide.