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

BKW Food and Nutrition

graphic about safe school meals

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 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

May 26
Mozzarella Sticks w/Marinara
Fresh Vegetable & Fruit
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

May 27
Ham & Cheese on pretzel roll
NYS Potato Chips
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

May 28
School Closed

May 31
School Closed – Memorial Day

June 1
Maple Waffles
Sausage
Hash Brown
Apple
NYS Milk

June 2
Chicken Quesadilla Wrap
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 3
Cheeseburger
NYS Potato Chips
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 4
Cheese Pizza
NYS Grape Slushie
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Milk

June 7
Chicken Nuggets
Fries
Carrot Sticks & Dip
NYS Grape Juice
NYS Milk

June 8
Maple Pancakes
Sausage
Home Fries
Fresh Orange Smiles
NYS Milk

June 9
Taco Wrap
Taco Meat, Shredded Cheese
Salsa & Sour Cream
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 10
Chicken Pattie Sandwich
Corn
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 11
Cheese Pizza
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
NYS Grape Slushie
NYS Milk

June 14
Chicken Nuggets
Tater Tots
Carrots & Dip
NYS Grape

June 15
French Toast Sticks
Sausage
Hash Brown
Apple
NYS Milk

June 16
Chicken & Gravy w /Mash Potatoes
Fresh Vegetable & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 17
NYS Beef Hot Dogs
Sun Chips
Carrot Sticks & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

June 18
Cheese Pizza
NYS Grape Slushie
Fresh Veggie & Dip
NYS Milk

June 21
Chef’s Choice

June 22
Chef’s Choice

June 23
Chef’s Choice

June 24
Chef’s Choice

June 25
Chef’s Choice

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
    • We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
    • Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

    Secondary School Lunch Menu

    May 26
    Tacos (hard shell)
    Turkey Taco Meat, Shredded Cheese
    Salsa
    Corn and Black Beans
    Craisins
    NYS Milk

    May 27
    Grilled Cheese
    NYS Potato Chips
    Fresh Veggie & Hummus
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    May 28
    School Closed

    May 31
    School Closed – Memorial Day

    June 1
    Pancake
    Sausage
    Hash Brown
    Apple
    NYS Milk

    June 2
    Loaded Nachos
    Turkey Taco Meat, Nacho Cheese
    Salsa
    Sweet Corn
    Fresh Orange Slices
    NYS Milk

    June 3
    Cheeseburger
    NYS Potato Chips
    Fresh Veggie & Hummus
    Fresh Strawberries
    NYS Milk

    June 4
    Cheese Pizza
    NYS Grape Juice
    Fresh Veggie &

    June 7
    Crispy Chicken Sandwich
    Fries
    Carrot Sticks & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    June 8
    Chicken & Waffles
    Maple Syrup
    Home Fries
    Fresh Orange

    June 9
    Tacos
    Turkey Taco Meat, Shredded Cheese
    Salsa & Sour Cream
    Sweet Corn & Black Beans
    Fruit of the

    June 10
    Pasta with Meatballs
    Broccoli
    Garlic Breadstick
    Fresh Pear
    NYS Milk

    June 11
    Cheese Pizza
    Apple Slices
    Caesar Salad
    NYS Milk

    June 14
    Chicken Tenders
    Fries
    Cucumber Slices & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    June 15
    French Toast Sticks
    Turkey Sausage
    Hash Brown
    Apple
    NYS Milk

    June 16
    Loaded Nachos
    Turkey Taco Meat, Nacho Cheese
    Salsa
    Sweet Corn & Black Beans
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    June 17
    Grilled Cheese
    Sun Chips
    Carrot Sticks & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    June 18
    Cheese Pizza
    NYS Grape Slushie
    Fresh Veggie

    June 21
    Chef’s Choice

    June 22
    Chef’s Choice

    June 23
    Chef’s Choice

    June 24
    Chef’s Choice

    June 25
    Chef’s Choice

    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
      • We feature LOCAL fruit and vegetables
      • Milk: 1%,  skim, 1% chocolate

      USDA Non-Discrimination Statement