FREE MEALS FOR ALL STUDENTS
Beginning on November 1, 2023, all students at BKW will be able to receive 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch every school day, for the remainder of the school year. This implementation is a result of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) expanding access to the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP allows eligible schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs to offer school meals at no charge to all students.
No application is required for students to receive free meals.
Additional meals, snacks and a la carte items will still need to be paid for. Students will be able to purchase those items with cash or funds available on their accounts.
For any questions about CEP, please contact Erin Wright, erin.wright@neric.org, (518) 464-3945.
Household Income Eligibility Data for Additional District Benefits
All families are asked to complete the Household Income Eligibility Form on LINQ Connect. The data gathered from this form allows the district to receive additional state and federal funding, and can qualify students for benefits such as reduced fees for SAT and ACT tests, reduced college application fees, discounts on Chromebook warranties, and discounts on monthly internet services and computer purchases. The information from the HHIE form is confidential.
Summer Food Programs
Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the nation throughout the summer while school is out of session. Please visit the USDA website to find a location near you, or text “Summer Meals” to 97779 or call 1-866-348-6479 to find a site nearby.
BKW Food Service Update: New Payment System Launched
This message is to inform you that the district has started utilizing a new payment system, called LINQ Connect, where you can make online payments for your students’ meals. We will no longer be utilizing MySchoolBucks, so you will be unable to make payments with your previous account. The district has worked with the TITAN School Solutions team to ensure that funds that were in your previous accounts have been transferred to the new payment system.
As part of this process, you must go to http://linqconnect.com and make a new account in order to continue making payments towards your students’ meals. You can also submit a meal application through LINQ Connect for the current school year. Click on “Sign up today!” to begin the process of making a new account and be sure to have the following information to successfully link your student(s) to your account:
* First Name
* Last Name
* Grade
* School
* Date of Birth
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.
For assistance please contact the support line for LINQ Connect at (916)467-4700 ext. 2, or reach out to Shared Food Service Specialist, Erin Wright at erin.wright@neric.org
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
For information about the end of Emergency SNAP benefits and other resources, please contact the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance here.
Elementary School Menu | Secondary School Menu
Meal Information
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.
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 Basket Order Forms will be sent home the month of your student’s birthday. For additional questions, please contact James Boule, Food Service Director, (518) 807-1850.
Elementary School Lunch Menu
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
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
In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.
Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.
To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/USDA-OASCR P-Complaint-Form-0508-0002-508-11-28-17Fax2Mail.pdf (link is external), from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:
1. mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410
or
2. fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442
or
3. email:
program.intake@usda.gov