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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.
In the 2024-25 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.
GCSD Adopting New Food Service App
For the 2024-25 school year, GCSD is adopting a new meal payment system called LINQ Connect, which will replace 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.
If you currently have a SchoolCafe account, please know you must create a NEW account with LINQ Connect. Any money that was on your old account will roll over to this new account! For added convenience, 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 2024-25
- 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.
Cafeteria Prices
- K-8 breakfast: $1.95 per day
- High school breakfast: $2.50 per day
- Elementary lunch: $3.00 per day
- FMS lunch: $3.25 per day
- GHS lunch: $3.25 per day
Reduced-price (breakfast and lunch): $0.00
Milk (white and chocolate): $0.60
Please note: All checks for breakfast/lunch should be made payable to GCSD School Lunch Fund. Parents can also set-up an online payment account for their child(ren) using LINQ Connect.
Free and Reduced Price Meals
In accordance with the National School Lunch Act, Guilderland provides free or reduced-price school lunches/breakfasts for students from households that meet income guidelines. Application forms are mailed to district residents each August, included with the district calendar and transportation schedule. Application forms are also available in all individual school main offices.
Note: Interested families must apply each year, even if they have participated in the program during the previous school year.
Children from households that meet Federal income guidelines are eligible for free meals or reduced-price meals. Reduced price meals cost each eligible student .00¢ for lunch and .00¢ for breakfast.
To complete a free and reduced-price breakfast/lunch application, you may do so online or download and print an application here.
Incomplete applications cannot be approved, so be sure to fill out all the required information.
Children can eat for free during the summer. Call 1-866-3-HUNGRY or text “FOOD” to 877-877.
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.