Federal government extends free school meals program

As part of an effort to ensure children access to meals during the pandemic, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the extension of a waiver to provide meals to all children at no charge through June 31, 2021. To receive a meal at no cost, students need to take the complete reimbursable meal (e.g. entree, fruit, vegetable, milk).

Students who wish to purchase snacks or beverages must have money in their K-12 Payment Center account.

It is still important for families who believe they may qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Meals Program to submit an application to document their needs. Children from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible for free meals or reduced price meals.  Students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch also qualify for free and reduced price breakfast. To apply, complete the application linked to this website. 

Elementary School Menu | Secondary School Menu

Meal Costs

• Elementary/Middle/High School Breakfast — $1.70
• Elementary School Lunch — $2.80
• Middle/High School Lunch — $2.90
• Extra Milk – $50 cents

Farm to School

The BKW Food Services department is striving to provide students with more fresh fruits and vegetables. Our goal is to expose students to more fresh and local produce, as well as educate students about where their food comes from. We will be incorporating a number of locally produced and grown New York State foods throughout our menus.

School Prohibition Against Lunch Shaming Plan

BKW Schools does not engage in practices that would draw attention to any student who does not have lunch money or whose parents have not paid lunch account balances. Read the plan.

School Meal Payment Options

As of fall 2020, the Berne-Knox-Westerlo CSD uses the online K-12 Payment Center that allows parents to pre-pay for school lunches and manage their child’s account online. K-12 Payment Center allows parents to:

• Make payments for meals online securely using your credit card
• Have more than one child in the district? You can deposit money into multiple accounts with just one payment
• You get quick and easy access to your child’s account 24 hours a day, seven days a week
• The ability to:

o    See 120 calendar days of meal purchases and payments (free)

o    Check your child’s meal account balance (free)

o    Get low meal account balance alerts by e-mail and text (free)

To access the online service, visit https://www.k12paymentcenter.com/. From this site you can create your account and add money to your child’s school meal account.

Parents who choose not take advantage of the online payment service may continue to make advance payments via cash or check. Checks should be payable to, “BKW Meal Program.” Please send in payments in an envelope with the child’s full name written on front.

Free and Reduced Price Meals Program

Children of families who meet certain income eligibility guidelines may qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Meals program. Families can apply at any time for this confidential program, which provides meals at no cost for qualifying students.* Links to the free and reduced price meals application, information about the program and eligibility requirements are provided below.

As of fall 2020: You can apply online for your student to receive free or reduced price school meals on LunchApplication.com. Your application will be sent from a secure website directly to Berne-Knox-Westerlo, so you don’t need to worry about filling out a paper form that could be lost or misplaced. LunchApplication.com. is an easy, secure and convenient way to apply for free or reduced meals. To apply, simply go to https://www.lunchapplication.com/ and click “Apply Now.”

*As of July 1, 2019, students approved for reduced price meals receive breakfast and lunch meals at no charge, with New York State is covering the cost previously paid by the student. To see if you qualify, please download, print, fill out and mail in the free/reduced application below:

• 2020-2021 Free and Reduced Application

If you have questions or would like assistance with an application please contact Susan Frank, BOCES Shared Food Service Program Specialist,  at (518) 464-5133. Fax (518) 862-4903.

Parent letter and income eligibility chart

The letter below provides details about the Free and Reduced Price Meals program and a chart listing income levels according to household size and income received either yearly, monthly or weekly. If your total household income is the same or less than the amounts on the income chart below,  your children may be eligible to receive free or reduced price meals.

• Parent Letter and Reduced Price Eligibility Income Chart

Food Intolerance & Allergies

If your student has a food allergy or intolerance, please let us know right away. We will need a doctor’s note. Call the school nurse at (518) 872-2030 for a “Diet Prescription” form.

Birthday Baskets (Pre-K through Grade 6)

The BKW elementary cafeteria offers Birthday Baskets that can be delivered to your student’s classroom. It’s affordable and convenient for you and fun and healthy choices for the student’s special day. Birthday Basketball Order Forms will be sent home the month of your student’s birthday.

Elementary School Lunch Menu

• April 2021 Elementary menu – Print-friendly version

Apr. 1
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Apr. 2 & 5-9: No School – Spring Recess

Apr. 12
Chicken Tenders
Garlic Breadstick
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
NYS Milk

Apr. 13
French Toast Sticks
NYS Breakfast Sausage
Hash Brown
NYS Milk

Apr. 14
NYS Hamburger
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
NYS Potato Chip
NYS Milk

Apr. 15
Chicken & Gravy Mash Potato
Bowl
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 16
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 19
Chicken Nuggets
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
Garlic Breadstick
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 20
Pancakes
Sausage
Home Fries
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 21
Taco & Cheese fresh Vegetable Wrap
Salsa & Sour Cream
Fresh Vegetables
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 22
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Corn
Orange Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 23
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Apr. 26
Chicken Nuggets
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
Garlic Breadstick
NYS Milk

Apr. 27
Maple Waffles
Sausage
Hash Brown
Fruit of The Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 28
Mozzarella Sticks w/Marinara Sauce
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 29
NYS Hotdog
NYS Potato Chips
Red Grapes
NYS Milk

Apr. 30
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Everyday Breakfast

All Breakfasts include 100% Juice/ Fruit & Milk for $1.70

• One entrée: Sausage Egg & Cheese & Egg & Cheese M,F or Cereal & Graham Crackers, Pancakes T, W, TH, or Fruits: 100% Orange & Apple Juice, Fruit of the Day

Daily Offerings

• Sandwich of the Day, Hummus w/ Pita Chips/Vegetables, Yogurt w/ Dinner Roll & Cheese Stick
• We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
• Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

Secondary School Lunch Menu

• April 2021 Secondary School menu – Print-friendly version

Apr. 1
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Apr. 2 & 5-9: No School – Spring Recess

Apr. 12
Chicken Tenders
Crinkle Fries
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 13
French Toast Sticks
NYS Breakfast Sausage
Hash Brown
Warm Peach Crumble
NYS Milk
National Peach Cobbler Day

Apr. 14
Nachos
Taco Meat, Nacho Cheese, Salsa
Corn & Black Beans
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Apr. 15
Appetizer Basket
Chicken Tenders, Pizza Cruncher, Sweet Potato Tater Tots
Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 16
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 19
Popcorn Chicken Bowl
Gravy
Mashed Potato & Corn
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 20
Breakfast Quesadilla
Salsa
Home Fries
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 21
Tacos
Taco Meat, Shredded Cheese
Salsa & Sour Cream
NYS Tex Mex Slaw
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 22
Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Tater Tots
Orange Slices
NYS Milk

Apr. 23
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Apr. 26
NYS Bacon Cheeseburger on Pretzel Roll
NYS French Fries
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk
National Pretzel Day

Apr. 27
Chicken & Waffles
Maple Syrup
Hash Brown
NYS Warm Cinnamon Apples
NYS Milk

Apr. 28
Nachos
Taco Meat, Nacho Cheese, Salsa
Corn & Black Beans
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Apr. 29
Grilled Cheese
NYS Potato Chips
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Red Grapes
NYS Milk

Apr. 30
Pizza
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Everyday Breakfast

All Breakfasts include 100% Juice/ Fruit & Milk for $1.70

• Breakfast Sandwich or Sandwich of the Day, Cereal & Graham Crackers, Fruits: 100% Orange & Apple Juice, Fruit of the Day, Beverages: Milk- 1% milk, 1% chocolate milk

Daily Offerings

• Sandwich of the Day, Hummus w/ Pita Chips/Vegetables, Yogurt w/ Dinner Roll & Cheese Stick
• We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
• Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

• USDA Non-Discrimination Statement