Skip to: Food Service App | Free Meals | Free Summer Meals | Cafeteria Menus | Breakfast | Free and Reduced Price Meals | Meal Charge/Prohibition Against Meal Shaming Policy | Job Openings
Food Services Director, Renee Heller
518-456-6200, ext. 0110
Guilderland schools offer students food choices that adhere to the nutritional requirements set forth by the New York State Education Department under the Child Nutrition Program and the Federal Government under the Department of USDA.
These mandatory requirements look at portion serving sizes for fruits and vegetables, proteins, starches, and milk; and minimum and maximum calories allowed during lunch and breakfast. These required food choices also meet adequate amounts of calcium, fiber, vitamins A, E, D, and limit saturated fats and overall total dietary fat content to maintain a healthy student.
Last school year, the Guilderland Central School District added the option of Halal meals to its food service offering, as part of its commitment and dedication to ensuring all students feel valued and have a sense of belonging. Halal meals are prepared in accordance with Islamic dietary laws, which outline specific guidelines regarding what is permissible and forbidden to consume. These laws govern the types of food allowed and how it is prepared. By providing Halal options, the district is supporting students in practicing their faith while fully participating in school life.
While a variety of food choices are made available to all students, parents and guardians may also request meal modifications if the available options do not meet their child’s dietary needs. To request a meal modification, please contact Food Services Director, Renee Heller at 518-456-6200, ext. 0110.
Free Meals for All Students Starting in 2025-26 School Year
Beginning in September 2025, all Guilderland Central School District students will be eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch every school day, thanks to a new state law that expands access to school meals.
While no application is required to receive free meals, we strongly encourage families to complete the 2025-26 Free and Reduced Price Meal Application. The information collected through this form helps determine the amount of funding our district receives to support student programs and services.
Families who qualify may also be eligible for benefits such as waivers for AP exams and college applications, discounts on school-related programs, and access to resources such as the weekend backpack program or holiday assistance.
- Letter to parents about free and reduced price meals at school
- Free and reduced price meal application
- Free and reduced price meal online application
Submit your form
If you think your household may qualify, please fill out the online meal application or return the completed form to:
Guilderland Central School District
Attn: Renee Heller
8 School Road, Guilderland Center, NY 12085
GCSD Utilizes Food Service App LINQ Connect
In 2024-25 school year, GCSD adopted a new meal payment system called LINQ Connect, replacing SchoolCafe. LINQ Connect is an easy-to-use, secure online system that allows families to set up payments, view transactions, set spending limits, transfer funds and receive balance notifications.
Download the LINQ Connect mobile app to your phone, available for free for iOS and Android devices. Visit your app store to download the LINQ Connect app, then log in using your existing username and password. When using a computer, go to LINQConnect.com to log in.
Secure online payments can be made using LINQ Connect.
Effective Dec. 1, 2024 there will be an increased convenience fee charged for online payments.
$2.85 for deposits up to $72.15; amounts above $72.15 will be charged a 3.95% fee per credit card transaction.
All fees go directly to LINQ Connect to cover the vendor’s costs of operating the online payment system.
NOTE: Funds can be deposited to your child’s account via check or cash and there is no transaction fee. Checks should be made payable to “Guilderland Cafeteria” and sent to your child’s school in a sealed envelope marked “School Lunch” with your child’s name. If sending cash, please send it in a sealed envelope marked “School Lunch” with your child’s name.
For web version of LINQ Connect log in, click here.
Free Summer Meals
Children ages 18 and under can get free, healthy meals this summer at nearby locations. No need to sign up; just drop by when meals are served. To find summer meals, see the attached flyer, text “Food” to 304-304 or visit summermealsNY.org.
Free and Reduced Meal Applications for 2025-26
- Letter to parents about free and reduced price meals at school
- Free and reduced price meal application
- Free and reduced price meal online application
Children from households that meet federal income guidelines are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Free and reduced-price meal applications can be downloaded above or obtained by calling the GCSD Food Services Department at 518-456-6200, ext. 0110. The district cannot approve an incomplete application.
Applications must be completed annually to receive all of the benefits of the program, including reduced fees with SATs, AP exams, college course tuition, etc. Learn more about free and reduced meals.
If you have any questions about the program, please contact the GCSD Food Service Director Renee Heller at 518-456-6200, ext. 0110.
Cafeteria Menus
To view the GCSD menus, click here.
Sign in to your account or click “view as guest” to browse the breakfast and lunch menus. Once on the menus page, select your school in the dropdown menu.
Breakfast
Did you know that Guilderland Schools offers a wholesome school breakfast meal in all of its buildings every morning? Studies have shown that eating breakfast improves student’s academic performance, decreases behavioral problems, and improves their overall diet. Students that qualify for free and reduced lunch also qualify for free and reduced breakfast. Please direct any questions about our school breakfast program to Food Services Director Renee Heller.
Breakfast is served daily in the elementary school cafeteria from 7:45-8:15 a.m.; 8-9:00 a.m. in the middle school cafeteria; and 7-7:30 a.m. in the high school cafeteria.
View the breakfast menu items that are available.
Charging School Meals and Prohibition Against Shaming
Although payment for school meals is typically due at the time of the sale (through a prepaid balance, cash or some other means), the Guilderland Central School District recognizes that on occasion, students may not have enough funds for a meal. To ensure that students do not go hungry, the district has established a school meal charge policy to provide clear information about how these situations will be handled, including steps designed to avoid any embarrassment of students. View the Charging School Meals and Prohibition Against Shaming Policy.
Job Openings
Please check the Employment page periodically for open positions.