Parents

Providing the students of the Sachem Community with healthy, nutritious and delicious meals is the number one priority of Sachem Food Services. We are pleased to offer a variety of menu options.  All of our meals are certified to be in compliance with the strict age-appropriate nutrient guidelines put forth by the NY State Department of Education and the USDA.

Without proper nutrition, mental and physical activity would be greatly impaired. We take great pride in our responsibility to properly fuel the minds and bodies of our students, assisting the educational process by providing the nutrients necessary for increased mental stamina, attentiveness and retention.

Sachem participates in the National School Lunch/Breakfast Program.  The National School Lunch/Breakfast Program is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to children each school day. The program was established under the National School Lunch Act, signed by President Harry Truman in 1946.

Children need healthy meals to learn. Sachem CSD offers healthy meals every school day. Beginning in September 2024, there is no charge for breakfast and lunch for all students.

No application is required, but families need to complete the Household Income Benefit Form each year to continue this program at Sachem.  You can access that form here https://sachem.edu/departments/food_services .

Your frequently asked questions answered here!

When offering foods like nachos with cheese sauce, chicken nuggets and hot dogs, can school meals really be healthy?  One of the hardest jobs the food service department has is to match students' tastes with the Dietary Guidelines for Healthy Americans.  But, that is exactly what we do.  When planning our menus, we use computerized nutritional analysis to make sure we are meeting USDA's goals for key nutrients including calories, fat, saturated fat, iron, protein, calcium, and vitamins A & C.  We also track sodium, fiber, carbohydrates and cholesterol.  To meet these nutrient goals, we start with the foods our students like best and then use purchasing and preparation practices to ensure that even typically high-fat foods are healthful.

Can children get breakfast at school?  A variety of breakfast choices are available at every school in the district.  Students eligible for free or reduced priced meals are also eligible to receive breakfast at the same approved rate.

Is pork used in any of the food preparation?  We are sensitive that many of our customers cannot eat pork products.  If your child's diet does not include pork, you'll want to know that our ham, hot dogs, and bologna are all made with turkey or beef exclusively.  Pork is used in our Italian hoagies (salami), BBQ rib sandwiches, pork barbeque, and pepperoni.  On occasion, pork may be used in tacos and meatballs.  Use of pork in these items will be posted in your school cafeteria.  These items should be avoided.

Can the school district accommodate students with special dietary needs?  The food service program is able to make menu modifications to accommodate students with food allergies and intolerances or a medically prescribed diet.  Further, the food service office can provide nutrient analysis of all planned menu items upon request.  Please contact the Food Service Director at 471-1353 to make the necessary arrangements.

Why can't one check be written for multiple children in the same family?  In addition to the computerized record of your children's deposits, the cafeterias keep a written record of each child's deposits on the deposit envelope that is used to transfer deposits from the classroom to the cafeteria.  The written records on these envelopes are often used to resolve issues that may arise concerning the receipt of a deposit.  When a check is sent in one child's deposit envelope to be split between accounts, the amount recorded on the deposit envelope will not match the computerized record.  Further, the cafeteria manager processes many deposits each Monday morning.  A note to split a deposit between accounts is easily overlooked and has often required account adjustments when the oversight is discovered.  To ensure deposit accuracy, and to be able to resolve problems when they do arise, we require that one check be written for each account.

How can I receive help paying for school meals?  An application for free and reduced priced meals is included in this mailer.  Complete and submit an application according to the directions attached.  You will receive notice from the district that your application has been received and either approved or denied.  A family of 4 with an annual income of $44,863 or less will be eligible for some assistance.  More detailed eligibility information is included with the application packet.  Applications can be submitted at any time through the school year.  If financial circumstances change through the year, contact your child's school to request an application.  A new application is required each school year.  New applications must be on file and approved by October 16 or benefits will be stopped.

Where can I get more information about the district's food service program?  You may call us with questions or concerns at 471-1353.