School Meals

Extended Day

Afterschool Meals

Every child who participates in an afterschool program is provided a snack or supper, upon request. To see if your child's school has an Afterschool Meals program, speak to the school's administration.

Saturday and Holiday Meals

If a school hosts an activity on a Saturday or holiday, students are eligible to receive a morning snack and/or lunch, depending on the time and length of the activity. Speak to your school administration to see which services are available.

View the Holiday Meal Request Schedule (log-in required).

Extended Day Programs Contact

If you represent a school that is interested or has questions:

• Email SF-SpecialPrograms@schools.nyc.gov
• Call 718-707-4320
• Apply for afterschool meals (log-in required)

Seasonal

Summer Meals

Free breakfast and lunch are offered during the summer months at select NYC Public Schools, community pool centers, parks, and libraries.

See more about Summer Meals ➔

Service Options

Milk Options

Under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast programs, milk is required to 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 make the request through their OFNS Manager.

Lactose-free milk and soy milk alternatives are available to students, both of which meet USDA nutrition standards for fluid milk. Parents may request an alternative milk option by completing the Alternative Milk Request Form and submitting it to their child's school principal or school administration. Once the completed form is received and reviewed, the school will coordinate with their OFNS Manager to ensure the appropriate alternative milk is provided to the student during meal service. Translated versions of the Alternative Milk Request Form are available if needed.

Kosher Meal Service Request

Kosher meals are available upon request. Please speak with your school administration to identify a need for kosher meal service at your school.

Halal Meal Service Request

Select Halal 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 or parent coordinator regarding expanded certified Halal meal service for your school community.

Early Childhood and Pre-K

Pre-K for All Meals

Participating pre-K programs offer students nutritious breakfast, lunch and afterschool meals each day. Meal service is a way for learning and social interaction by serving meals 'family style' to Pre-K programs.

Infant-Toddler Meals

The Infant-Toddler Program supports student parents and their children by offering childcare, academic guidance, and social advocacy. In addition, we provide healthy, age-appropriate meals for both infants and toddlers that meet the New York State Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Guidelines.

We recognize that each child develops at their own pace, and have implemented specific guidelines to minimize choking risks, making mealtime both safe and educational for our youngest learners.

Making Mealtime Safe for Infants and Toddlers in Schools: Guidelines to Reduce the Risk of Choking

By following these guidelines, we aim to create a mealtime that is safe and positive that supports the growth and development of infants and toddlers.

Foods are Prepared Easy to Chew

• Recipes include specific instructions and menu notes for infants and toddlers
• Firm foods, like carrots are cooked or steamed until soft enough to easily pierce with a fork
• Round foods are sliced lengthwise into short strips
• Seeds, pits, and tough skins or peels are removed from fruits and vegetables
• Soft foods are cut into thin slices, strips, or small pieces no larger than ½ inch, especially fruits and vegetables, which can be harder to chew
• Upon request, food texture may be modified by pureeing, mashing, slicing, or finely chopping
• Honey or foods prepared with honey are not served to infants or toddlers
• Chicken on the bone is not served

Common Choking Hazards Avoided

Not offered to infants and toddlers: small, sticky, or hard foods that are difficult to chew and easy to swallow whole. Examples include:

• Cheese cubes
• Dried fruits like raisins
• Hard pretzels and baked tortilla chips
• Sunflower seeds
• Spoonfuls of peanut or other nut/seed butters
• Whole round or tube-shaped foods such as grapes, cherry tomatoes, and raw carrots (unless cut to appropriate sizes)
• Ice cubes

Share Table

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.

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.

For food safety reasons, this practice must be limited to only food and beverage items that do not require additional cooling or heating.

Food Help NYC

To locate nearby food pantries and soup kitchens offering free meals, use Food Help NYC.

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.

Food Donations

School communities have the power 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.

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.