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 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

New for 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.

New for 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

• Downloadable September 2020 Elementary School Menu

Sept. 11

Popcorn Chicken & Dip
Garlic Bread Stick
Confetti Corn Salad
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Sept. 14

Turkey & Cheese Wrap
NYS Potato Chips
Hummus & Carrots
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 15

Brunch for Lunch
Pancakes
Yogurt
Celery Sticks & Sun Butter
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 16

Chicken Nuggets
Garlic Bread Stick
Crinkle Fries
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 17

Munchable Kits
Ham, Cheese, WG Crackers
NYS Carrot Sticks & Dip
WG Snack
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 18

Pizza
NYS Salad
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 21

Ham & Cheese on a Pretzel Roll
NYS Potato Chips
Green Beans
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 22

Brunch for Lunch
Waffles
Yogurt
NYS Carrot Sticks & Sun Butter
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 23

NYS Hamburger
Zesty Black Bean and Corn Salad
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Sept. 24

Munchable Kits
Pepperoni, Cheese, WG Crackers
Cucumber Slices & Dip
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 25

Pizza
NYS Salad
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 28

Turkey and Cheese Wrap
NYS Potato Chips
NYS Cucumbers & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 29

Brunch for Lunch
Pancakes
Yogurt
Celery Sticks & Sun Butter
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 30

Chicken Nuggets
Garlic Bread Stick
NYS Carrot Sticks & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Everyday Breakfast

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

• One entrée: Breakfast Sandwich, Bagel with Cream Cheese, Yogurt with Graham Crackers, Cereal (Served with choice of fruit/100 percent fruit juice and low-fat/fat free milk). Friday Breakfast Special: Whole Grain Donuts

Daily Offerings

• Assorted Sandwiches, Assorted Salads, Hummus w/ Pita Chips/Vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese Pizza, Protein Box
• Taste Test Thursday & Harvest of the Month: Each month we will be featuring a LOCAL fruit or vegetable to try
• Served with each meal: variety of fruit and milk (1% low fat, skim, or 1% chocolate)

Secondary School Lunch Menu

• Downloadable September 2020 Secondary School Menu

Sept. 11

NYS Hamburger or Cheeseburger
NYS Carrot Sticks & Dip
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 14

Crispy Chicken Ranch Wrap
NYS Potato Chips
NYS Carrot Sticks & Dip
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 15

Meatball Sub
NYS Cucumber Slices & Dip
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 16

Cheese Quesadilla
Salsa & Sour Cream
Protein Packed Corn & Black Bean Salad
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 17

Chicken Nuggets & Dip
Garlic Bread Stick
Corn
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 18

Pizza
NYS Salad
Choice of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 21

Ham & Cheese on a Pretzel Roll
NYS Potato Chips
Harvest of the Month: Cherry Tomatoes
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 22

NYS Hamburger or Cheeseburger
NYS Carrot Sticks & Dip
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 23

Taco Kit
Soft Shell Taco, Fajita Chicken, Salsa, Shredded Cheese
Protein Packed Corn & Black Bean Salad
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 24

Protein Box
Cheese, Crackers, Pepperoni
NYS Cucumber Slices & Dip
Hardboiled Egg
Variety of Fresh Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 25

Pizza
NYS Salad
Choice of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 28

Buffalo Chicken Wrap
NYS Potato Chips
NYS Carrot Stick & Dip
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 29

Crispy Chicken Sandwich
NYS Potato Salad
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Sept. 30

Nacho Kit
Tortilla Chips, Nacho Cheese Dip, Salsa
Protein Packed Corn and Black Bean Salad
Variety of Fruit
NYS Milk

Everyday Breakfast

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

• One entrée: Breakfast Sandwich, Bagel with Cream Cheese, Yogurt with Graham Crackers, Cereal (Served with choice of fruit/100 percent fruit juice and low-fat/fat free milk). Friday Breakfast Special: Whole Grain Donuts

Daily Offerings

• Assorted Sandwiches, Assorted Salads, Hummus w/ Pita Chips/Vegetables, Yogurt, Cheese Pizza, Protein Box
• Taste Test Thursday & Harvest of the Month: Each month we will be featuring a LOCAL fruit or vegetable to try. 
• Served with each meal: variety of fruit and milk (1% low fat, skim, or 1% chocolate)

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

• USDA Non-Discrimination Statement