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 the 2021-22 school year. 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.

You can apply online at 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.”

Or you may download and 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

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.”

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:

• BKW 2021-22 Application for Free & Reduced Price School Meals

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.

• BKW Free & Reduced Price Meals Fact Sheet – helpful information about applying for the program

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 Free & 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

• Elementary Menu Sept. 2021 – Print-friendly version

Sept. 8
Chicken Nuggets
Breadsticks
Cucumber & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS milk

Sept. 9
NYS 100% Beef Hot Dog
Green Beans
NYS Milk
NYS Apple

Sept. 10
Cheese Pizza
Celery & Sun Butter
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 13
Chicken Nuggets
Carrots & Dip
Breadstick
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Sept. 14
Pancakes
Turkey Sausage
Hash Brown
Fruit of The Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 15
Taco Wrap
Salsa & Sour Cream
Cucumbers & Dip
Red Grapes
NYS Milk

Sept. 16
NYS Cheeseburger
Corn
NYS Strawberry Applesauce
NYS Milk

Sept. 17
Cheese Pizza
Celery & Sun butter
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 20
Chicken Nuggets
Carrots & Dip
Breadstick
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 21
Maple Waffles
Turkey Sausage
Home Fries
Fresh Pear
NYS Milk

Sept. 22
Baked Ziti
Whole Grain Dinner Roll
Cucumber & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk
Baked ziti made with 100% beef

Sept. 23
Mozzarella Sticks
Marinara
Honey Dill Carrots
NYS Peach
NYS Milk

Sept. 24
Cheese Pizza
Celery & Sun Butter
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 27
Chicken Nuggets
Carrots & Dip
Breadstick
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Sept. 28
French Toast Sticks
Hash Brown
Turkey Sausage
Fresh Orange Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 29
Mac & Cheese
Cucumber & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 30
Chicken Pattie Sandwich
Green Beans
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Everyday Breakfast

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

Daily Offerings

• Yogurt w/ granola bar, fruit/veg, choice of milk
• Sandwich of the Day, fruit/veg, choice of milk
• We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
• Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

Secondary School Lunch Menu

• Secondary School Menu Sept. 2021 – Print-friendly version

Sept. 8
Pasta with Meatballs
NYS Marinara Sauce
Broccoli
Fresh Apple Slices
NYS Milk
Meatballs are 100% beef

Sept. 9
NYS 100% Beef Hot Dog
NYS Corn on the Cob
NYS Milk
NYS Apple

Sept. 10
Cheese Pizza
Cherry Tomatoes & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 13
Crispy Chicken & Biscuit Sandwich
Hot Honey
Sweet Potato Fries
NYS Apple
NYS Milk
(Crispy chicken on a biscuit)

Sept. 14
Loaded Nachos
Salsa & Sour Cream
Black Beans & Corn
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Sept. 15
Turkey Caesar Wrap
Cucumbers & Dip
Red Grapes
NYS Milk

Sept. 16
NYS Cheeseburger
NYS French Fries
NYS Strawberry Applesauce
NYS Milk

Sept. 17
Cheese Pizza
Tossed Salad
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

Sept. 20
Honey Mustard
Chicken Wrap
Oven Roasted Potatoes
NYS Apple Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 21
Chicken Fajita Mac & Cheese
Corn Muffin, Corn & Black Beans
Fresh Pear
NYS Milk
(Creamy cheese sauce, fajita chicken, peppers & onions, tossed in pasta)

Sept. 22
Baked Ziti
Whole Grain Dinner Roll
NYS Green Beans
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk
Baked ziti made with 100% beef

Sept. 23
NYS Strawberry &
Blueberry Chicken Salad
NYS Granola, NYS Peach
NYS Milk
(Fresh romaine topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries, and grilled chicken)

Sept. 24
Cheese Pizza
Caesar Salad
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

Sept. 27
Chicken Tenders
Sweet Potato
Tater Tots
NYS Apple
NYS Milk

Sept. 28
French Toast Sticks
Hash Brown
Turkey Sausage
Fresh Orange Slices
NYS Milk

Sept. 29
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Egg Roll, Broccoli
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk
(Teriyaki chicken over fried rice with shredded carrots & cabbage)

Sept. 30
NYS Chicken Spiedies
NYS Broccoli
NYS Apple
NYS Milk
(Marinated grilled chicken served on warm pita with lettuce & tomato, tzatziki sauce on side)

Everyday Breakfast

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

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

Daily Offerings

• Sandwich of the Day, served with fruit/veg, choice of milk
• We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
• Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

USDA Non-Discrimination Statement

The USDA Nondiscrimination Statement was recently updated by USDA. The updated statement must be used on all Child Nutrition Program materials, including websites, pamphlets, brochures and all correspondence sent to families for program purposes and must include all spacing as it appears in the link below. Please be sure to update the USDA Nondiscrimination Statement on all your Child Nutrition Program materials.

The updated USDA Nondiscrimination Statement can be found at http://www.cn.nysed.gov/content/usda-nds