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

BKW Food and Nutrition

NYSED summer meals graphic

New York State offers free summer meals.

Visit SummerMealsNY.org to learn more.

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. entrée, 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 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

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:

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.

infographic about free & reduced price meals program

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

Friday, April 15 – Friday, April 22: No school – Spring recess

Monday, April 25
Chicken Nuggets
Regular & Buffalo
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Tuesday, April 26
French Toast
Sausage Patty
Hash Brown
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Wednesday, April 27
Taco Wrap
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Thursday, April 28
NYS Hot Dog
NYS Chips
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Friday, April 29
Cheese Pizza
Regular or Buffalo
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Monday, May 2
Chicken Nuggets
Regular or Buffalo
Breadstick
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Tuesday, May 3
Pancakes
Sausage Patty
Hash Brown
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Wednesday, May 4
Mac & Cheese
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Grapes
NYS Milk

Thursday, May 5
Chicken & Gravy
Mashed Potatoes
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Friday, May 6
Cheese Pizza
Or Pepperoni
Garden Salad
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Monday, May 9
Chicken Nuggets
Regular or Buffalo
Breadstick
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Tuesday, May 10
Waffles
Sausage Patty
Hash Brown
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Wednesday, May 11
NYS Beef Hotdog
Potato Chips
Orange Slices
NYS Milk
11:45am Dismissal

Thursday, May 12
Chicken Patty
Sauté Green Beans
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Friday, May 13
Cheese Pizza
Or Pepperoni
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Monday, May 16
Chicken Nuggets
Regular or Buffalo
Breadstick
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Tuesday, May 17
French Toast
Sausage Patty
Hash Brown
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Wednesday, May 18
Chicken Quesadilla
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Thursday, May 19
NYS Hamburger
Or Cheeseburger
French Fries
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Friday, May 20
Cheese Pizza or
Pepperoni
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Monday, May 23
Chicken Nuggets
Regular or Buffalo
Breadstick
NYS Milk

Tuesday, May 24
Pancakes
Sausage Patty
Hash Brown
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Wednesday, May 25
Hot Ham & Cheese
On A Bagel
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Orange Slices
NYS Milk

Thursday, May 26
Cheese Pizza
Or Pepperoni
Fresh Veggie & Dip
Fruit of the Day
NYS Milk

Friday, May 27
No school

Monday, May 30
Memorial Day – No school

Tuesday, May 31
No school

Everyday Breakfast

Assorted cereal every day
Breakfast item of the day
All Breakfasts include 100% Juice/ Fruit & Milk

    Daily Offerings

    • Yogurt & cheese stick, 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

    Friday, April 15 – Friday, April 22: No school – Spring recess

    Monday, April 25
    Chicken & Waffles
    Maple Syrup
    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Tuesday, April 26
    Baked Ziti
    Garlic Breadstick
    Caesar Salad
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Wednesday, April 27
    Cook the Books
    Grilled Cheese
    Fruit of the Day
    Fresh Veggie & Dip
    NYS Milk

    Thursday, April 28
    Popcorn Chicken Bowl
    Corn
    Biscuit
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Friday, April 29
    Cheese Pizza
    Cucumber Slices
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Monday, May 2
    French Toast Sticks
    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Tuesday, May 3
    Loaded Soft Tacos
    Turkey taco meat, cheese, salsa, lettuce
    Fire Roasted Black Beans & Corn
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Wednesday, May 4
    Crispy Chicken Club
    (lettuce, tomato, bacon)
    Cucumber & Dip
    Grapes
    NYS Milk

    Thursday, May 5
    Popcorn Chicken Bowl
    Gravy & Biscuit
    Corn
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Friday, May 6
    Cheese Pizza
    Fresh Veggie & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Monday, May 9
    Chicken & Waffles
    Maple Syrup
    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Tuesday, May 10
    Burrito Bowl
    (Seasoned Chicken, rice, bean shredded cheese, Guacamole salsa)
    Tortilla Chips
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Wednesday, May 11
    Cook the Books
    With Beth Davis
    BBQ
    Loaded Bake Potato Bar

    Thursday, May 12
    Crispy Chicken Salad
    (crispy chicken, lettuce
    tomatoes, cucumbers, cheese)
    Dinner Roll
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Friday, May 13
    Cheese Pizza
    Fresh Veggie & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Monday, May 16
    French Toast Sticks
    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Tuesday, May 17
    Mexican Street Taco Bowl
    (brown rice, fajita chicken, peppers & onions, street corn, shredded cheese)
    Tortilla Chips
    Salsa
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Wednesday, May 18
    Mac n Cheese Bar
    (Choice of Toppings: BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, or Broccoli)
    Roasted Root Medley
    Grapes
    NYS Milk

    Thursday, May 19
    Mandarin Orange Chicken
    Brown Rice & Egg Roll
    Broccoli
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Friday, May 20
    Cheese Pizza
    Fresh Veggie & Dip
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Monday, May 23
    Waffles w/ Strawberries
    Turkey Sausage
    Sweet Potato Home Fries
    Assorted Fruit
    NYS Milk

    Tuesday, May 24
    Chicken Quesadilla
    Corn
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Wednesday, May 25
    Chicken Tenders
    Garlic Breadstick
    French Fries
    Orange Slices
    NYS Milk

    Thursday, May 26
    Rotini & Meat Sauce
    Dinner Roll
    Fresh Roasted Asparagus
    Fruit of the Day
    NYS Milk

    Friday, May 27
    No school

    Monday, May 30
    Memorial Day – No school

    Tuesday, May 31
    No school

    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