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Follow us on Instagram and menu get the message about your food service program to the community. Stay connected and learn more about your food service program. Discover what's on the menu, new items being served, behind-the-scenes efforts to provide healthy meals across the city, and how you can provide feedback on our services.
Menus
We offer free breakfast, lunch, and afterschool meals to all NYC Public School students during the school year. Use the Find A School tool (Search the school and look under Free Student Meals) or speak to your School Food Service Manager to discover what menus are being served at your school. Visit our menu page to learn more about our standards and how we develop menus.
Food Service InfoHub Resources
Need answers to your food service-related questions? Check out the Food Resources for Schools page.
Afterschool Meals and Special Programs
These services include afterschool snack, supper, weekend or holiday services. To start a program, you can apply by emailing sf-specialprograms@schools.nyc.gov, calling 718-707-4320, or logging into your account.
Charter and Non-Public School Food Service
Food service is available for new Charter and Non-Public Schools. To request service, visit our Charter and Non-Public Schools page for more information or call 718-707-4320 for assistance.
Nutritional Standards and Food Allergens
Our goals to ensure students of all ages and backgrounds have access to tasty, nutrient-rich meals that enhance their learning experiences. Seeing students succeed in school and beyond is what drives our passion to serve high-quality meals. Visit our Menu Nutritional Information page to view nutrition and menu standards, prohibited ingredients, menu nutritional information and food allergen awareness.
Milk Options
Under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, milk must be available to students as part of their meal. We provide low fat milk, non-fat milk, and non-fat chocolate milk. Schools that do not wish to serve chocolate milk as an option should speak with their School Food Service Manager.
For children who have a dairy allergy or are lactose intolerant, soy or lactose-free milk alternatives are available. Our milk alternatives meet USDA nutrition standards for milk. Medical documentation is required for soy or lactose-free milk.
To request a milk alternative, the parent/guardian or school nurse is required to fill out the Alternative Milk Form and provide medical documentation. This ensures the school can provide the appropriate option for the student.
Kosher and Halal Meal Service Request
Kosher Meals
Kosher school meals may be available upon request and with prior registration. Parents/guardians may reach out to the school administration regarding Kosher meal service for your child.
Halal food options are available at every school.
An expanded certified Halal menu is available upon request through our Halal Food Program. Parents/guardians may reach out to the school administration regarding expanded certified Halal meal service for your school community.
The Halal Food Program was created to strengthen food equity for children in NYC schools. The program applies the highest standard of Halal to satisfy all Muslim students regardless of which Islamic theology, jurisprudence, and opinions they follow. School Principal(s) may request the Halal Food Program through their School Food Service Manager. A school’s kitchen must be inspected and in compliance with a Halal Food Safety Management system with integrity from Farm to Fork to become certified and permitted to offer and serve Halal food products. Throughout the school year all certified schools will partake in announced and unannounced maintenance inspections to affirm Halal product and food handler integrity.
Competitive Snack and Beverage Standards
Effective February 2010, only foods and beverages that meet the New York City Department of Education Office of Food and Nutrition Services guidelines may be offered for sale during school hours. Approved items can be sold during school hours but not at lunch service times. For more information on approved snack products, ingredients, portion sizes, and other information, visit the NYC Public School Snack and Beverage Vending Service page.
Food Programs
We offer a variety of food service programs to students throughout the school day. These programs range from Breakfast in the Classroom, Breakfast After the Bell, Farm to School to Infant - Toddler. Visit our Food Programs webpage to learn more about all our services.
Plastic Free Lunch Day
Plastic Free Lunch Day (PFLD) was started by students at PS 15 in Red Hook, Brooklyn and grew to a citywide and nationally recognized model for tangible climate action. At OFNS, we helped develop several menus that do not require the use of plastic during the preparation and service of the menu at least once a month. No packaged items are offered except milk, which is packaged in a container that can go into the blue recycling bin. Menu items such as pizza and sandwiches are accompanied by fruits and vegetables that are easy to eat with your hands. Utensils are not needed for this menu but are available upon request. This allows students to take climate action by eliminating plastic when participating in our lunch program on that day. Please look for PFLD on your menus and help make a difference.
Farm to School
Farm to School schools let students grow and harvest food at community gardens. They hold seasonal harvest events in May, June, October, and November. This gives students a unique opportunity to taste what they have grown. Schools receive culinary support from the Garden to Café coordinator as they plan for harvest events. We partner with Grow to Learn NYC to identify possible Farm to School schools.
Applying for Farm to School
NYC public schools with active school gardens or gardening programs are eligible to participate. School gardens come in all shapes, sizes and locations. Gardening happens in classrooms, schoolyards, urban farms, community gardens and on school rooftops. The important component for Farm to School is that students are growing foods. In order to be considered for Program Eligibility, your school must meet all of the minimum requirements:
- An established vegetable and/or herb school garden, community garden, or urban farm.
- An established program for the children/youth to garden regularly.
- Secured Liability insurance for community gardens or urban farms.
- Safe Soil—Soil tested for heavy metals and is safe or contains soil from a source known to be safe.
- An established coordinating team that includes at minimum: a School Site Garden Lead (most often a teacher), School Food Service Manager, and Community Garden & Farm Lead, where applicable.
- Principal's consent and approval to apply for Farm to School.
If your school meets the above requirements then you can apply online or e-mail a completed form to George Edwards (gedwards4@schools.nyc.gov)
Share Table
For several years, OFNS has encouraged the use of a Share Table in the cafeterias. We encourage every school to implement a share table in their cafeteria. This can help reduce the amount of food waste and encourage the consumption of food served.
Share Tables are designated tables in the cafeteria where students can place specific unconsumed food and beverage items that they choose not to eat or drink. This allows other students the opportunity to take additional helpings of these items without compromising our Federal and State regulations.
Food Donations
Principals are empowered to support students and families through food donations. Donating food diverts food waste from landfills and puts food on the table for students and families in need. Donations of nonperishable and unspoiled perishable food from school kitchens will help stock the shelves in homes, food pantries, food banks, soup kitchens, shelters, and community organizations. View our food donation resources to get started.
DOH Reports
The NYCDOH inspects all school cafeterias and kitchens. NYC law requires that all school buildings are inspected at least two times per school year. Inspection data is refreshed on the first of each month and includes results from the past 36 months. Use the Find A School tool (Search the school and look under Free Student Meals) to view.
Contact Office of Food & Nutrition Services
For more information about our menus, nutrition information, approved foods to be sold in schools, programs, questions or comments email us at SFWebsitesuggestion@schools.nyc.gov. Please provide your name and email address when responding.