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.  During the summer of 2023, the District issued a bid for the food service program and the result was a change in food service management companies.

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. During the last couple of years the Covid-19 epidemic resulted in inconsistent products and labor shortages and continuously changing menus.  We hope that is past as we enter a new academic year. We seek to return to a program focused on scratch cooking, less processed foods, whole grain bread/grain products, and a variety 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.


Online Program
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 Service Offerings
Studies have consistently shown that students who eat breakfast benefit nutritionally and educationally.  Our two elementary schools, Coman Hill and Wampus, provide a nutritious breakfast in the cafeteria at the start of every school day.  The District does not participate in the Summer Food Service Program.  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

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.

Students with food allergens or dietary restrictions, please contact Vincenza Fasano to discuss meal modifications.

All health forms and authorizations can be found here.


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