Where We Started
Food has always been a constant source of joy to Mary and Larry Gagnon and a personal gesture of love and caring to those they serve. After operating a small catering company since 1974 and cooking for their own five children, Mary and Larry decided to expand and serve lunch to Bay Area school kids. For more than a decade, the couple was the engine behind the “Children’s Choice” school lunch program.
In 2003, Mary and Larry looked to create a website and paperless ordering system for Children’s Choice. They reached out to their son Justin. Instead of building a website, Justin enlisted his college friends, Keith and Ryan, to partner with his parents and revolutionize the archaic industry of school lunch -and Choicelunch began.
We're Not Finished...
It’s been almost 20 years since co-founders Justin, Keith, and Ryan quit their jobs and took the leap on Choicelunch. With families of their own, these lunch dads have first-hand experience in how meaningful their work has become. The right foods can make all the difference in a kid’s day, and as busy parents themselves, they know wonderful it is not to have the stress of making lunch. Today, over 300 schools throughout California trust Choicelunch to deliver thoughtfully sourced, deliciously prepared school lunches to their students.
We Feed Your
Kids Like Our Own
As working parents, co-founders Justin, Keith, and Ryan know how important it is to not have to worry about school lunch. With 9 children between them, eight of whom are in school, their kids are literally Choicelunch customers! When we deliver lunch, it’s personal because we feed your kids like our own.
Our Promise
School Lunch Done Right.™
Chef Larry never stops catering – even when cooking at home for his family.
We worked with a registered dietitian to make sure we offer “better-for-you” foods that parents approve of and kids love. Every ingredient and recipe we use has been reviewed and approved. Learn about a few of our kid-faves that are better-for-you. Shh. It’s our secret.
Better-for-you
Better-for-You – /ˈbedər-fôr-yo͞o,yə/ noun: 1. a Choicelunch phrase used to describe popular entrées that we upgrade with our thoughtfully-sourced, deliciously prepared ingredients. 2. Disguised as normal kid-fave foods, but discreetly elevated. 3. Opposite of typical.
Used in a sentence: My picky eater has no clue that her favorite entrée, The Dynomite Bagel Dog, is better-for-you because Choicelunch fortified their scratchmade dough with pureed veggies.
10 Reasons Why Families 
Choicelunch
Convenience
Our goal is to make lunch super simple and stress-free for our families.
Choicelunch app
Order lunch in less than 10 seconds, from anywhere at anytime.
Full control
Order everything online - an entrée, sides, fruits/veggies, and drinks.
Variety
Up to 16 options daily, including a variety of hot and cold entrées.
Allergen filter
Customize your menu to only show items that meet your student's dietary needs and preferences.
Whole ingredients
We use whole, fresh ingredients sourced responsibly from trusted partners.
Registered dietitian
A registered dietitian reviewed and approved every ingredient and recipe we use.
Earth friendly
We source compostable or 100% post-consumer recyclable packaging.
Flexible deadlines
For the full menu, order by noon, 3 days before service. Or order by 9 am the day before from the limited menu that offers quite a variety too.
Customer support
We offer a robust FAQs page that can answer most questions. If you can't find what you want, send us an email.
Our Commitment to the Environment
Connected to
Our Community
Drive-through Contactless Fresh Grocery Pick Up
In March 2020, three days after schools closed due to COVID-19, Choicelunch started a contactless, online fresh grocery...
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From Classroom to Community Service
Rather than close the doors to our 10,000 square foot Anaheim production kitchen during the pandemic, the Choicelunch team began exploring...
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Banking on Choicelunch to Deliver
The Alameda County Community Food Bank partnered with Choicelunch to purchase meal kits to add to the food bank's inventory and relieve...
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Weekly Lunch Boxes
Choicelunch has a population of free and reduced students who qualify for and depend on school lunch. Choicelunch partnered with schools to provide a weekly lunch box option...
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In The News
