• 2023-2024 School Meal Program

     

    Dear Parents and Guardians,

    Welcome back to the start of a new school year! 

    The North Merrick UFSD will continue to provide all enrolled students with access to school meals each school day.  The district continues to be dedicated to supplying a healthy and nutritious meal to your children.  For those families who do not qualify for free/reduced priced meals, the full-priced standard breakfast will be $2.00 and lunch will be $3.30 for all schools.

     

     

    New Food Service Management Company for the 2023/24 School Year

     

    Starting in September, Whitson’s Nutrition, LLC will replace Aramark Educational Services, LLC, as the district’s food service management company.   It is the district’s goal, with its partnership with Whitson’s, to serve nutritious, well- balanced meals that appeal to students and the school community. We are pleased to provide a comprehensive school meal program that meets the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program requirements and engages students in developing a positive attitude on healthy eating.  The district will continue to work collaboratively with Whitson’s for the health and safety of your children.

      

    MySchoolBucks

    To facilitate your child’s purchase of any food item, the district offers a pre-payment system. By using the pre-payment system, no cash will exchange hands in 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 their 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 contact the Food Service Office, at (516) 282-1882 or by email at Dagostinod@whitsons.com to discuss any myschoolbucks issues.  

      

    Meal Charging and Prohibition Against Meal Shaming Policy

     

    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.  For the first week of school, snacks may be limited for purchase, to ensure that all students purchasing lunch are served.  It may take a few days for Whitson’s to establish their own routines, as they familiarize themselves with our schools and students.  

    Free and Reduced Meals

    The 2023-24 free/reduced price meal applications are available on our website or through this direct link. If you have any questions, please contact the Business Office at (516) 292-3696.

    Application (English):   23/24 free and reduced application english

    Application (Spanish): 23/24 free and reduced application spanish

    Special Dietary Needs

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

    Thank you and we look forward to a great new school year.

    Sincerely,

     

    Thomas P. McDaid, Jr., Esq.

    Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations 

     

     

     

     

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    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) found online at: https://www.usda.gov/oascr/how-to-file-a-program-discrimination-complaint, 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. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.