Food Services
Food Service Back to School Information 2024-25
Please see the attachment below for Food Service Information for the 2024-25 School Year.
On July 1, 2024 - We will be operating under the School Breakfast Program and the National School Lunch Program.
Breakfast is FREE for all students k-12
Please be aware that a household application for free and reduced meals will be required to determine free and reduced eligibility for the 2024-2025 school year unless a student is directly certified.
Our free/reduced application is located on our district website at www.gcasd.org, under Food Services, go to "External Links", and click on Free and Reduced. This will take you to "School Cafe" where you can complete an online application. The new application for the 2024-2025 school year will be available on July 1, 2024.
PLEASE NOTE: Menus are subject to change based on availability of products. Due to shortage in production staff to produce products and truck driver shortages to deliver products, we are experiencing many menu shortages and changes to start the school year. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding as we work through these challenges.
OFFER VERSUS SERVE
Grades K-12 participate in the "Offer Versus Serve" program under the above NSLP and SBP. The regulations require us to offer choices to meet the programs requirements. For lunch, the components consist of meat/meat alternate, grain, vegetable, fruit, and milk. Students must select three of the five required food items to qualify as a reimbursable lunch. One of the items selected must be a fruit or vegetable to meet the reimbursable meal requirement. The lunch must be priced as a complete lunch and the students may take 3, 4 or all 5 items for the same price. The serving sizes must equal the minimum nutritional standards required for each specific age group.
For breakfast, the components consist of grain, fruit, and milk. The regulations require us to offer four food items within the three required components. This means that some components may meet the requirement for two food items. Students must select three food items, including at least 1/2 cup of fruit to qualify for reimbursable breakfast.
A point-of-sale system allows parents to pre-pay on account for student meals and add money to purchase ala carte items. School Cafe is available. The website address for School Cafe is www.schoolcafe.com. All previously registered user accounts will remain unchanged. Parents will still use the same login credentials (username and password).
Those families who feel they qualify for a free or reduced lunch/breakfast may apply according to the federal guidelines. Detailed information concerning the program may be obtained by clicking here, or by calling the district food service office at (717) 597-3226 ext. 50505.
Foster children that are under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or court, are eligible for free meals. Any foster child in the household is eligible for free meals regardless of income and should be included on the household application. They are no longer considered a household of one.