Background
The Healthy Food Choices, Healthy Kids committee (an advisory committee represented by parents, teachers, CSEA members, High School students, the Wellness Committee, and administrators) made advisory recommendations to the Administration on improving the food services program beginning in the 2008-09 school year. The recommendations were based on benchmarking local school districts, focus groups with Byram Hills parents and staff, and an online survey of all parents, middle and high school students, and employees. We continue to benchmark local school districts similar to Byram Hills.  

Goal
The District’s goal is to provide healthy, nutritious, and appealing meals to all Byram Hills School District students. We are committed to using the freshest products available and serving the highest quality meals possible.  Our program focuses on scratch cooking, less-processed foods, whole-grain breads and grain products, and a variety of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Our Student Wellness Policy can be found here.

Management
Chartwells, a division of the Compass Group USA is managing the food service program and they are committed to the District’s goal of providing healthy, nutritious, and appealing meals to the Byram Hills’ students. In addition, Chartwells is committed to providing nutrition awareness, as daily menus feature nutritional information about each item, increasing student meal participation, improving overall food services and boosting student satisfaction.
 

The Program
The District participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) and School Breakfast Program, administered by the United States of Agriculture (USDA) at the two elementary schools (Wampus & Coman Hill). In accordance with the NYS mandate regarding free meals, Universal Free meals are available at the two elementary schools without the need to complete paperwork. We encourage completion of the Household Income Eligibility Form, as this form is used to determine eligibility benefits for additional State and Federal programs that your child(ren) may qualify for.

The NSLP provides the nutrition standards that our meals must meet for reimbursement at these two schools. Additionally, the NSLP teaches and creates an awareness of nutrition standards to our students as they select their lunches each day.

Coman Hill and Wampus Elementary Schools

• Each breakfast meal must offer four food items including grains/protein, fresh fruits, and milk. Students must choose at least three of these items and one must be at least a ½ cup of fruit.
• Each lunch meal must offer meat/meat alternatives, grains, raw and steam vegetables, fresh fruits, and milk. Students must choose at least three of these components and one must be at least a ½ cup of vegetables and/or fruit.

In addition to offering full meals, we also offer a la carte items such as fresh fruits, fresh raw and steamed vegetables, and baked snacks, at a separate cost. Please note that the variety of a la carte items may differ based on school.

The Middle School and the High School

These two schools do not participate in the NSLP and offer a much larger and contemporary array of breakfast, lunch an ala carte selection and a wider variety of healthy snacks and beverage for supplementing good nutrition for the age levels in these two schools.

To receive a free meal at these two schools, you must complete the free and reduced lunch application and submit it to the District for review. If you qualify, based on Federal guidelines, you can receive a free or reduced lunch and follow the same standards as above listed. We receive no reimbursement for these meals and the guidelines are the same, for an obtaining free lunch.

 

Online Program
The food service department is self-supporting and operates independently from the District. Our income is derived solely from cafeteria sales and the federal and state meal reimbursements at the elementary schools.. Meals and a la carte items are priced accordingly and can be paid for with cash or the student’s meal account.We are pleased to announce that our district offers access to mypaymentsplus.com which is an online service that lets you view your child’s school food purchases and gives you the option to make online payments to your child’s lunch account.

Parents can review the options available and register for an online account at the following website: mypaymentsplus.com

 

Food Allergies
Food allergies are a serious matter for many students and their families. Necessary meal modifications are based on medical assessments and treatment plans, and must be prescribed by a recognized medical authority. Schools cannot make substitutions, change a student’s diet, or adjust meals without proper documentation from a healthcare provider.

Each student requiring a meal modification must have an updated medical script on file every year. and must be signed by an authorized medical professional. Documentation must be submitted before the start of each new school year—or whenever changes occur during the year—to ensure the student’s needs are met safely and appropriately.

All health forms and authorizations can be found here.

 

Summer Meal Program
Each summer, area school districts that qualify offer free meals to students 18 and under. Although Byram Hills CSD does not qualify for this program, summer meals are available at nearby districts. Free meals are offered in the summer. For more information regarding Summer Food Service Programs closest to you visit: SummerMealsNY.org or Call: 1‑866‑3‑HUNGRY (1‑866‑348‑6479) English | 1‑877‑8‑HAMBRE (1‑877‑842‑6273) Spanish

 

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
SNAP provides monthly benefits to buy food at grocery stores and farmers markets. To see if your family may be eligible, visit SNAPHelpNY.org or text SNAPNY to 844-366-3435 and answer a few questions. In less than five minutes, you will learn if you may be eligible and how to apply. Free and confidential assistance is available to help you submit your SNAP application. 

Learn more about how SNAP grocery benefits can support your child’s education:
Nokidhungry.org/benefits ｜English
Nokidhungry.org/beneficios｜Spanish

 

Questions
If you have any questions about the District’s food services program, please contact the Food Service Director:
Vincenza Fasano
(914) 273-4250 x3970