Carmel Central School District

Children need healthy meals to learn.  The Carmel Central School District offers healthy meals every school day.  We are pleased to inform you that the Carmel Central School District (CCSD) has implemented a meal certification option available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs effective December 1, 2023.  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 to offer school meals at no charge to all students. 

All students enrolled are eligible to receive one FREE healthy breakfast and one FREE nutritious lunch on every full day of school at no charge to your household effective December 1, 2023.    No further action is required of you.  Families do not need to fill out an application for their student to gain eligibility for breakfast and lunch at no cost.   Monthly menus for our schools are published on the CCSD Food Services webpage.  

Breakfast helps to ensure that all children are prepared to face classroom challenges.  Carmel Central School District offers breakfast in each school building at the beginning of each school day at no cost to students.  A complete breakfast consists of at least four components:  two grains (main entree), one cup of fruit/juice or vegetable, and one cup of milk.  Students must choose three of the four components offered with one of those components being a fruit/juice or vegetable. 

School lunch provides students with access to a variety of healthy whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meats, and low-fat dairy items.  A healthy lunch always consists of five components:  a protein, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk.  To be considered a full lunch, students must choose at least three components, including at least one serving of a fruit or vegetable. 

Snacks and a la carte items (including milk) are available.  However, students will need cash or funds in their prepaid accounts to make these purchases or to pay for a second breakfast or lunch.  In addition, parents may send in a check or cash to be added to the student's prepaid account.  Please make checks payable to CCSD Cafeteria Account and include your student's name and PIN number on the check.  

If you have any questions, please contact the CCSD Food Services Department at carmelfoodservices@carmelschools.org.  

The Carmel Central School District Food Service Department participates in a federally funded Child Nutrition Program and any meals, milk, and snacks served must meet program requirements.  Reasonable meal accommodations will be made when the accommodation requested is due to a disability or impairment.  If you are requesting a meal accommodation for a food allergy, diet restriction, or substitution, please send a doctor's note to the school nurse.  The school nurse will inform the cafeteria staff, and a note will be placed on your student's cafeteria account.  CCSD partners with parents of children with food allergies to assist in ensuring children feel comfortable eating in the cafeterias. 

Carmel Central School District proudly participates in the National School Lunch Program.  The USDA (Department of Agriculture) has established new dietary guidelines that moderate calories while increasing whole grains, fruits and vegetables. 

Breakfast includes:

2 servings of whole grains (cereal, bagels, muffins, breakfast bars, cereal bars),

1 cup of fresh, canned, dried, or frozen fruit (apple, applesauce, banana, orange, peaches, pears, raisins, strawberries)

8 fluid ounces of milk (1% or Fat Free)

Lunch includes:

2 oz. of meat/meat alternative

1 cup fruit serving

3/4 cup vegetable serving (1 cup high school)

2 servings of whole grains

8 fluid ounces of milk (1% or Fat Free)

Students must select a minimum of three items and one MUST be a fruit or vegetable serving to be charged the lunch price. 

 Additional items are offered a la carte for an additional charge. 

 Should you have any questions, please feel free to call the Food Services Department at (845) 878-2094, ext. 255.  Thank you for your interest and support of the School Lunch Program.