Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central School District > Departments > Food Services > BKW Food and Nutrition

BKW Food and Nutrition

graphic about safe school meals

Federal government announces free school meals through Dec. 31

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 Dec. 31, 2020. 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 remains important that families who believe they may qualify for the Free and Reduced Price Meals program submit an application. With the meals at no charge only going through Dec 31. 2020, we want to be sure that all eligible families are enrolled in this program. To apply, complete the application linked to this website. 

Elementary School Menu | Secondary School Menu

Meal Information

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:

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.

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

Dec. 1
Mozzarella Sticks
Marinara
Carrots & Ranch
Fruit of the day
NYS Milk

Dec. 2
Mash Potato Bowl w Chicken
Gravy
Fruit Crisp
NYS Milk

Dec. 3
Pancakes
Sausage
Hash Brown
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Dec. 4
Celery & Ranch
Whole Grain Treat
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk
National Cookie Day!

Dec. 7
Chicken Sandwich
Carrots & Dip
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Dec. 8
Meatball Sub
Marinara Sauce
Garlic Green Beans
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Dec. 9
BBQ Chicken Sandwich
Cucumbers & Ranch
Fruit of The Day
NYS Milk

Dec. 10
French Toast Sticks
Sausage
Hash Brown
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Dec. 11
Pizza
Celery & Ranch
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Dec. 14
Chicken Tenders
Garlic Bread Sticks
Carrots
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Dec. 15
Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla
Salsa & Sour Cream
NYS Vegetable of the Day
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Dec. 16
NYS Cheeseburger
Cucumbers
NYS Strawberry Applesauce
NYS Milk

Dec. 17
Waffles
NYS Maple Syrup
Sausage
Hash Brown
NYS Apple
NYS Milk
National Maple Syrup Day!

Dec. 18
Pizza
Celery & Ranch
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Dec. 21
Chicken Nuggets
Garlic Bread Sticks
Carrots & Ranch
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Dec. 22
Mozzarella Stick
Marinara
NYS Vegetable
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Dec. 23
NYS Hot Dog
Cucumbers & Ranch
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
No School – Holiday Recess

Everyday Breakfast

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

  • One entrée:

    Pancakes, Breakfast Sandwich or Cereal & Graham Crackers, Fruits: 100% Orange & Apple Juice, Fruit of the Day

    Daily Offerings

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

    Secondary School Lunch Menu

    Dec. 1
    Macaroni & Cheese
    Roasted Cauliflower
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 2
    Chicken & Biscuits
    Gravy
    Mashed Potatoes
    Fruit Crisp
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 3
    Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Breakfast Sandwich
    Hash Brown
    NYS Apple
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 4
    Pizza
    Fresh Veggies & Dip
    Whole Grain Treat
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk
    National Cookie Day!

    Dec. 7
    Crispy Chicken Sandwich
    Carrots & Dip
    NYS Grape Juice
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 8
    NYS Cheeseburger
    NYS French Fries
    NYS Strawberry Applesauce
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 9
    Chicken & Broccoli Alfredo Pasta
    Garlic Breadstick
    Cucumbers & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 10
    French Toast Sticks
    Sausage
    Hash Brown
    NYS Apple
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 11
    Pizza
    Fresh Veggies & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 14
    Chicken Tenders
    Garlic Bread Stick
    NYS French Fries
    NYS Grape Juice
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 15
    Chicken & Cheese Burrito
    Salsa & Sour Cream
    NYS Vegetable of the Day
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 16
    Pasta with Meatballs
    Marinara Sauce
    Broccoli
    NYS Strawberry Applesauce
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 17
    Waffles
    NYS Maple Syrup
    Sausage Patty
    Hash Brown
    NYS Apple
    NYS Milk
    National Maple Syrup Day!

    Dec. 18
    Pizza
    Fresh Veggies & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 21
    Chicken Nuggets
    Garlic Bread Stick
    NYS French Fries
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 22
    Orange Chicken
    Vegetable Fried Rice
    NYS Egg Roll
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 23
    NYS Hot Dog
    Sweet Potato Tater Tots
    NYS Grape Slushie
    NYS Milk

    Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
    No School – Holiday Recess

    Everyday Breakfast

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

    • One entrée: Sausage Egg & Cheese Sandwich or Egg & Cheese Sandwich, Assorted Cereal, Fruits: 100% Orange & Apple Juice, Fruit of the Day

      Daily Offerings

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

      USDA Non-Discrimination Statement