2022-2023 School Lunch Program

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Once again, welcome back to school! 

This is a notice to inform you that as of September 1, 2022, school meal prices will return to full paid meals. As you are already aware, the federal government had been funding free school meals for all students nationwide since March 2020 due to the pandemic. Unfortunately, the federal funding to support this initiative expired on June 30, 2022, effectively ending the free school meal option for all students for the upcoming school year.

As a result, the North Merrick Union Free School District will return to the standard National School Lunch program in which families will be able to fill out applications for Free/Reduced priced meal status. Those families who do not qualify for Free/Reduced priced meals will need to pay full price for school meals. Full priced standard lunch will be $3.20 for all schools. There will also be no breakfast served in the schools this year. 

MySchoolBucks

To facilitate your child’s purchase of any  lunch or a la carte items, the District offers a pre-payment system. By using the pre-payment system, no cash will exchange hands in the schools. There are two ways for pre-paying for school meals: checks or through online prepayments via (https://www.myschoolbucks.com). If you do not already have a free account, you can go to www.MySchoolBucks.com and register. This online payment service provides individuals with a quick and easy way to add money to your child’s meal account using a credit/debit card or electronic check. There are different fee options to choose from online. Please note, the District does not receive any revenue on the fee for this service. You will have the opportunity to review any fees and cancel if you choose before you are charged. If you do not choose to pay online for use of this service, you still have the option to send in a check to prepay for MySchoolBucks.  Please note, you will also be able to make any of these purchases with cash. 

Please contact the Food Service Office, Courtney Hamilton at (516) 282-1882   or by email at hamilton-courtney1@aramark.com to discuss any Myschoolbucks issues.  

As per the District’s Meal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming Policy, a student with a negative balance on their account is unable to purchase ala carte items (snacks), so please remain current with your child’s account. Balances may be routinely viewed if you’ve set up a MySchoolBucks account online.  

Free and Reduced Meals

The 2022-2023 Free/Reduced price meal applications are available on our website or through this direct link. If you think you could possibly qualify for free or reduced lunch, fill out a free/reduced price meal application and return it to the District as soon as possible. If you have any questions, please contact Joanne Long at (516) 292-3695.

Application (English): 2022-2023 Free and Reduced Meal Application - English.pdf 

Application (Spanish): 2022-2023 Free and Reduced Meal Application - Spanish.pdf 

Special Dietary Needs

Please note, meals can be modified for students with disabilities and allergies. Please contact the Food Service Office, Courtney Hamilton at (516) 282-1882   or by email at hamilton-courtney1@aramark.com to discuss any special dietary needs.

Sincerely,

Thomas P. McDaid, Jr., Esq.

Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations 

In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.  
 
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits.  Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.  Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
 
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027)(link is external) found online at: How to File a Complaint(link is external), and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter 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; 
 (2)      fax: (202) 690-7442; or 
 (3)      email: program.intake@usda.gov(link sends e-mail).
 
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.