Frequently Asked Questions
You have questions. We have the answers.
Topic Overview
Registration
This is so that your child can participate in meals when payment is made directly by the parents. If payment is processed through the facility, online registration is generally not required.
If your child attends a school or daycare center that is served by VielfaltMenü, you will receive a registration code via email from your institution or our service center. You can use this code to register your child online. Important: You will need a valid email address to complete the online registration.
Yes, that’s possible. Just open vielfaltmenue.com in your tablet’s browser. It works exactly the same way as on a computer or smartphone. If necessary, switch to the desktop version of the website to complete the registration.
- Click the “Registration & Login for Daycare Centers / Schools” button at the top of the website.
- Enter the registration code in the text field and click the “Register” button.
- Follow the registration process and enter the required information.
- At the end of the registration process, you will receive your registration confirmation—including your online login credentials as a PDF file and our Terms and Conditions—via email.
- Once you click the “Complete Registration” button, your registration is complete. You can now start ordering meals.
No. The code is intended solely for registration at your institution.
The most likely reason: Our email ended up in your spam folder. Please check there. Tip: Save our email address in your address book so that you always receive our emails. It’s also possible that your email inbox is full.
In this case, you must sign the contract with us in writing. You can obtain the contract (Meal Service Registration) at the facility or by requesting it from our service center.
Please check your spam folder. If you cannot find your customer number there, please contact the service center.
After a prolonged period of inactivity, you will need to re-register. The same applies if your child has changed facilities, as this may result in changes to the terms of the contract (type of care, meal options, prices, etc.).
Your profile is the combination of your customer number and your password.
Yes, you can save multiple profiles. Here’s how it works:
- Click the “Registration & Login for Daycare Centers / Schools” button at the top.
- Enter your customer number and password, then click “Save Profile.”
- After clicking the “Log In” button, your child’s profile will be saved and you will be logged in.
- For each additional child, select “Add Profile” and follow the instructions.
Ordering Food and Logging In
- Click the “Login | Order” button at the top and log in first.
- Enter your customer number and password.
Tip: If you’ve already saved a profile, you can select one under “Log in with a saved profile” and use it to log in. - After successfully logging in, you will see the current weekly meal plan for the school or daycare center.
- Click now to select a meal for your children. It will be automatically added to your shopping cart.
- You can order meals for several weeks at once. To change the week, click the arrow buttons to the right and left of the calendar week. You don’t need to save your selections.
- Once you’ve made your final selection, click “Save and Add to Cart” below.
- You will now be redirected to your shopping cart.
- To complete your order, click “Confirm” now.
No. You can select meals for several weeks and add them to your shopping cart. You don’t need to save your selections until the end of the ordering process.
- While logged in, go to “Order Food.”
- In the meal plan, click the checkbox next to the meal you ordered. The icon for canceling the order (trash can) will appear.
- Now click on the shopping cart in the upper right corner.
- To complete the cancellation, click “Confirm.”
- The cancellation has been confirmed.
- Clicking “OK” will take you back to the meal plan. This completes the cancellation.
Important to know: We can only process cancellations that have been definitively confirmed as described in Steps 3 and 4. Cancellations that are still in the shopping cart are not considered canceled.
There could be several reasons for this:
- Your organization uses consolidated orders.
Daycare centers often place bulk orders. In this case, you can only cancel orders. - The booking deadline for the selected date has passed—it will now be displayed in gray.
- There are outstanding payments, or your account balance is insufficient.
- Your organization has set up order blackout periods for certain days (e.g., long weekends, field trip days, vacation periods).
- There are invalid items in your shopping cart. Please remove them to place a new order.
A saved profile consists of your password and your customer number. This allows you to use all online services in your customer account without having to re-enter your login information.
If you’ve forgotten your password, there are two ways to reset it:
- Without logging in: Click “Login | Order” and then “Forgot Password.”
- If you’re logged in: Change your password in the “Manage Profile” section under your username.
In both cases, you must provide your email address and customer number. After clicking “Reset,” you will receive an email with a link to change your password. The new password must be at least 8 characters long and contain one number and one special character.
You can find your customer number on invoices, contract documents, or your registration confirmation. If you have any questions, please contact the Service Center—you can find the contact information in your documents, on the website, or in the VielfaltMenü app.
- Change Password: Go to Profile Management and select “Change Password.”
- Reset your password: Use the “Forgot your password?” feature in the login area under “Order Food.”
If you are already logged in, please log out first.
In daycare centers and schools with large numbers of meal participants, the preparation and serving of fresh meals involve complex logistics. Depending on the meal service plan, planning and preparation for the upcoming week’s meals are often completed one to two days before the weekend. For this reason, we unfortunately cannot offer the ordering feature everywhere on weekends.
To help you stay on top of things, all customers who have registered online can find the exact order deadlines in their profile settings under the “Order Deadlines” button.
The order reminder helps ensure you’re reminded in time to choose and order your meal.
If you’ve already placed an order: Just ignore the reminder if you still receive it.
If you want to turn off the notification:
- If you no longer wish to receive order reminders, you can disable them at any time in your customer profile (provided you are registered online).
- Open Profile Management.
- Uncheck the box next to “Order Reminder.”
- Save the changes.
After deactivation, you will receive a confirmation email.
At the daycare center, shared meals are at the heart of the educational approach. The children’s menus are set as standing orders and are selected by the daycare center with great care. Care is taken to ensure a balanced diet that meets nutritional requirements and is often tailored to the children’s ages.
We are very sorry if you are experiencing problems with your order. We take your concern seriously and would like to quickly determine the cause to ensure that it does not happen again.
In this case, please contact our Service Center directly. You can find the contact information in your contract documents, on our website, or in the VielfaltMenü app. We’ll take care of it right away!
Meals
We offer four different meal options for your facility:
- Cook & Serve: Freshly cooked in your kitchen and served hot.
In our local kitchens:
- Cook & Hold: …freshly cooked, delivered hot on time, and served.
- Cook & Chill: …freshly cooked, delivered chilled, and served hot on time.
- Cook & Complete: …freshly cooked, delivered chilled, and served warm as desired.
We’ll work with you to find the ideal solution that meets your needs.
We carefully prepare meals for daycare centers and schools in accordance with the quality standards and recommendations of the German Nutrition Society (DGE). Many of our kitchens are even certified for a specific menu line based on these standards.
We place great importance on using seasonal and regional ingredients from certified suppliers. For us, “regional” means that the products are available seasonally in Germany. We prefer ingredients from growing regions where they can ripen naturally.
Our quality management is based on the following four pillars:
- We consistently comply with all legal requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulation.
- We use a quality and environmental management system in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001 / 14001.
- We have external inspections, regular audits, and certifications conducted.
No, we do not use any artificial preservatives or flavor enhancers such as monosodium glutamate. Our meals are prepared exclusively from fresh, natural ingredients.
Our meals are specially tailored to the needs and abilities of children in different age groups.
For toddlers, we offer bite-sized pieces of fruit and vegetables. Children’s buffets encourage independence in a playful way.
For teenagers, the focus is on international dishes and convenient snacks that suit their tastes and fit into their daily lives.
With our many years of experience in providing meals for daycare centers and schools, we ensure that every child receives a meal that is appropriate and age-appropriate.
Our menu is varied and well-balanced to suit every taste:
- Every day, there is fresh salad, vegetables, raw vegetables, and fruit.
- Vegetarian options: There is a vegetarian dish to choose from every day.
- Meat and Fish: Meat is served no more than twice a week, and fish at least once. Dairy and egg dishes are regularly included in the meal plan.
Depending on the facility, guests can choose from up to three menu options. Buffet-style meals, a selection of side dishes, and special promotions add even more variety. We make sure that dishes are rarely repeated.
Our employees are deeply rooted in the region and are familiar with the local cultural, social, and culinary traditions. Their knowledge is incorporated into the meal plans to create a varied and appealing selection of dishes.
Here at VielfaltMenü, we aim to gradually reduce our consumption of animal products and continuously increase the proportion of vegetarian and vegan dishes.
In collaboration with ProVeg, we have reviewed and further improved our vegetarian menu offerings. In addition, we are raising awareness among our kitchen managers, cooks, and serving staff about the health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Our goal is to expand our selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes over the long term so that all guests can enjoy the benefits of a varied, plant-based diet.
Our prices are based on a mixed cost calculation. This means that we take into account not only the cost of ingredients, but also expenses for staff, electricity, kitchen cleaning, the service center, and billing.
In addition, we want to ensure that our employees are paid fairly, that the meals comply with the guidelines of the German Nutrition Society, and that prices remain affordable for as many families as possible.
It is important to us that every child has access to a variety of high-quality meals—including those that are more time-consuming and expensive to prepare. We make this possible through cross-subsidization. This ensures that the menu remains fair and balanced for everyone.
Yes, we want every child to have enough to eat, so we’re usually happy to provide seconds of vegetables, potatoes, and other filling side dishes. If a particular side dish runs out, we’ll offer another side dish that’s still available instead.
It is important to us to provide the children with good meals while minimizing food waste as much as possible. That is why we try to plan our needs carefully without sacrificing flexibility.
The choice of dessert depends on several factors. For example, the number of calories, the taste, and the requirements for a balanced meal plan.
So, if a hearty main course with meat is on the menu, we tend to pair it with fruit or raw vegetables rather than a creamy quark dessert, to keep the calorie count within the guidelines.
Our recipes are based on the standards of the German Nutrition Society (DGE).
Yes, when we say “organic,” we mean organic!
We are regularly certified, and many of our recipes feature organic ingredients. Upon request, we can put together a completely organic menu for you. Contact us!
This varies from facility to facility and depends on the specific conditions, requirements, price, and the desired meal plan. Upon request, we can offer daycare centers and schools a 100% organic menu.
Yes, we prioritize sustainability in all our processes.
As a regional caterer, we take responsibility for the environmental and social challenges of our time. We are committed to sustainable food, eco-friendly practices, and responsible resource management—without compromising on quality or taste.
Yes, we source most of our fresh vegetables from local farms and make sure to use seasonal produce.
If fresh vegetables are not available in sufficient quantities, we use frozen vegetables that are flash-frozen immediately after harvest to preserve vitamins and minerals—with no additives whatsoever.
Yes, we offer at least four special meal plans:
- Basic Diet for Allergy Sufferers
- low-fructose diet
- gluten-free diet
- gluten-free diet without milk or eggs
For each special dietary requirement, there are up to two menu options to choose from, depending on the region and your needs. Please contact us. We’ll take care of it.
Yes, we also offer meals tailored to children with allergies and food intolerances. For breakfast and afternoon snacks, we provide special alternatives based on dietetically approved, centralized meal plans.
To ensure the safety of the ingredients and maintain high quality, the selection of suitable products is limited. Therefore, we use a two-week menu for breakfast and afternoon snacks and an eight-week menu for lunch.
We place great importance on ensuring that children with special dietary needs are safe and well cared for.
The “i” stands for “Information.” Clicking on it will provide you with detailed information about the menu, such as nutritional values and allergens.
Yes, you can provide feedback on the meals you ordered within three days of the delivery date.
Here’s how it works:
- Click the “Order Food” button and log in.
- The menu opens.
- Select the dish and click the speech bubble icon to submit your feedback.
- You can rate the food and service using a smiley face and use the slider to answer questions.
If you have more detailed feedback or questions, please feel free to contact our Service Center. Thank you for your support!
Yes, we’re always happy to hear meal requests from children and parents.
Requests can be submitted to us through the food committees at daycare centers and schools or directly through our service center. After assessing their feasibility, we are happy to incorporate new ideas into our meal plans.
Using the transponder or barcode card, the staff at the lunch line can quickly and easily identify which meal is intended for each child. This ensures that every child receives the meal they are supposed to have.
At most daycare centers, the facility or the operating agency decides which caterer will provide the meals. This is often done through a public bidding process.
If you would like to provide input or express your wishes, please speak with the daycare center administration. They can forward your concerns to us or to the relevant sponsoring organization.
At VielfaltMenü, sustainable food management is particularly important to us. We are constantly working to reduce waste by adjusting recipes, planning meal portions optimally, and fostering awareness among our employees about the responsible use of food.
As all caterers are required by law to do, we verifiably send any unclaimed or leftover food to biogas plants. This ensures that even leftovers are put to good use.
We do not offer a general sample meal plan, as our meal plans are tailored individually to each facility.
To view your facility’s meal plan, you’ll need your customer number and password. You can use these to log in online and view the current meal plan.
Out of concern for the environment, we are reducing paper waste and phasing out printed menus as much as possible.
Our digital menus are always up to date, and you can access them online anytime, anywhere.
The combinations of numbers and letters on the menu indicate allergens and additives. This information is required by law so that you, as parents, always know exactly what’s in the food—an important benefit that promotes greater transparency and safety, especially when it comes to allergies and food intolerances.
Even though the additional information may make the plan seem a bit more complex, it provides you with clear and reliable guidance. The labeling is also regularly reviewed by the Food Safety Authority to ensure the highest standards.
Payment
The funding for daycare and school meals varies in Germany, as education is a matter for the states. Prices and subsidies for meals therefore differ from state to state.
In addition to subsidies from state and local governments, parents also contribute to the costs. However, support is available for low-income families: In such cases, the cost of lunch is covered by the Education and Participation Package. This ensures that all children have access to a balanced lunch.
- Go to the meal plan and click on the “My Account” tab.
- Sign in using “Login.”
- Select the time period using the calendar icon, or search directly by invoice number.
- You can also print out invoices.
Note: Invoices are available in the system for up to 18 months and can be viewed and printed in the desktop version of the website and in the app. This is not currently possible in the mobile version of the site.
You can add funds to your customer account via prepayment. This balance allows you to participate in the meal. Please be sure to add funds in a timely manner, taking bank business days into account.
With the SEPA direct debit system, the meal fee is automatically debited from your account. You will receive a notification via email in advance informing you of the exact amount and the debit date.
Payments are always debited at the beginning of the following month, so you can keep track of your payments. This process is simple, secure, and convenient.
You can find your balance under the “Order Food” button.
The Education Package (also known as Education and Participation, or BuT) helps children, adolescents, and young adults from low-income families. It enables them to participate in school and recreational programs, such as communal lunches at schools or daycare centers.
Many cities and municipalities also offer vouchers or discounts. Check with local authorities or the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. There you’ll find a list of regional contact points.
There could be several reasons for this:
- The authorization period may have expired.
- The BuT decision may not have been submitted to us until after the monthly billing cycle.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to take this into account retroactively. In such cases, please contact your local BuT office directly to clarify the matter.
Your account information is needed in case the BuT approval period ends and arrangements need to be made for continued payments.
For preschoolers, account information is also required, as breakfast and snacks are generally paid for by the parents. The BuT covers only lunch. Please note that the rules regarding this may vary by state.
We’re sorry to hear that you’d like to cancel, and we want to make the process as easy as possible for you:
Online Contracts: Cancel your subscription via the website or the VielfaltMenü app in the “Manage Profile” section. Log in, click the button with your name, and follow the instructions.
Written Contracts: Send your notice of termination by email, mail, or fax.
You can find the notice period in the General Terms and Conditions (GTC), which you received either in paper form when you signed up or as a PDF during online registration.
Technical Questions
You can easily order food using the following methods:
- Computer: With Internet access, cookies enabled, and JavaScript enabled.
- Smartphone or tablet: Either through our optimized website, vielfaltmenue.com, or through the free VielfaltMenü app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
The system is regularly tested with the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari.
We cannot guarantee that this will work with other browsers, such as BitBox, Iron, or Opera.
Yes, that’s possible. You may need a PDF reader such as Adobe Reader or a similar program. This will allow you to print meal plans and invoices directly from your computer.
Unfortunately, this feature is not currently available on mobile devices.
If you have any problems, our service center will be happy to assist you. To help us provide you with quick and targeted assistance, please provide your customer number.
- Phone: +49 3494 66 94 400
- Email: servicecenter@vielfaltmenue.com