Food Resources for Schools

On this page...
  1. Free Meals and Title 1 Funding
  2. Requesting Services
  3. Summer Meals Service
  4. Snack, Supper, and Saturday Service
  5. School Meals Finance Department
  6. Breakfast in the Classroom
  7. School Meals Accountability
  8. Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
  9. Kitchen Rental
  10. Additional Resources

School personnel and administration can use this page to access applications, forms, Office of Food & Nutrition Services (OFNS) programs and operations information. If you have any questions or concerns you can always speak to your school’s Food Service Manager, School Food Service District Supervisor/Regional Director, or e-mail us at Sfwebsitesuggestions@schools.nyc.gov.

Free Meals and Title 1 Funding

Breakfast, lunch, and after school meals are free for all New York City public school students. Although students no longer need to apply to receive free meals, we do encourage families to complete the online Family Income Inquiry form so that your school(s) can receive funding for the program.

The first and most important step a school can take to maximize their Title 1 funding is to collect the Family Income Inquiry Forms as close to the beginning of the school year as possible. Online forms are processed within 24 hours of submission by the parent, and the school never has to handle a paper form. Completed paper forms should be scanned and submitted to the DOE’s Office of Food and Nutrition Services (OFNS) using your ATS Lexmark scanner if your school is marked “Yes” to collect forms on the Universal School Meal (USM) list, and has a compatible ATS Lexmark scanner: Lexmark MX711, MX722, MX511, MX522, X748, or CX725. 

You can use these best practices to encourage households to submit their form online.

For help on what to do with submitted family income inquiry forms you can read our scanning instructions or instructions on printing a batch cover sheet and shipping labels.

  • Schools will begin receiving a shipments of Family Income Inquiry forms the week of August 29. The forms will be delivered to the SchoolFood manager for your school’s kitchen site.
  • Please work with your staff to check the RMEL report in ATS, to determine those students with direct certification (Meal Code A), before distributing Family Income Inquiry forms.
    • Students listed as Meal Code A do not require a form, because they are enrolled in a government-assistance program and are automatically eligible for Title I funds.
    • ​​​Family Income Inquiry forms should only be distributed to students with Meal Code 5 on the ATS RMEL report. An ATS-generated letter titled, “Notice of Missing Form to Determine Eligibility for School Funding,” will be generated by your ATS print queue on September 26, and should be distributed to each student with a Meal Code 5 on the ATS RMEL report. For additional information, see these detailed instructions on the RMEL report. 

If you need additional paper forms, you can request them using the ordering portal, you or your designee should use your ATS code as your username to log in to the portal. If you need to reset your username or password, please contact the service desk at 718-935-5100. 

For any other questions please contact our help desk Monday through Friday from 8AM to 4PM at 718-707-4400.

Requesting Services

Our goal is to provide students with healthy and nutritious meals every day over a wide array of services that your school can request.

Summer Meals Service

Our offer of free breakfast and lunch extends beyond the regular instructional school year. If you would like your school to offer summer meals you can apply to offer summer meals online or call our Accounts Receivables department at 718-707-4382 or 718-707-4383.

Snack, Supper, and Saturday Service

If your school is interested in offering snack service, supper service after school, or Saturday service, login to your Online Application System account and submit an application.

    School Meals Finance Department

    The National School Lunch Program Regulations (NSLP) requires participating school districts to report and maintain records of all meal program revenues. All schools are requested to comply with this requirement by reporting and submitting weekly money collected. We adhere to Federal and State law and file claims for reimbursement under the National School Lunch Act.

    If you require School Meals Finance assistance, please contact our Accounts Receivable department at 718-707-4383 or 718-707-4382.

    For all other links and resources relating to the School Meals Finance Department refer to the resource and link section below.

    Breakfast in the Classroom

    Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC) is an initiative to ensure that a free and complete breakfast is available to all New York City elementary students. By serving breakfast in the classroom, all students are provided a nutritious and healthy breakfast needed to think clearly, concentrate on learning, and perform better in class. The allotted time will also be used to take attendance or give announcements so no class time is lost. Read our Administration Tool Kit and Teaching and Learning Activity guide for more information.

    School Meals Accountability

    Meal Accountability is defined as those methods and procedures used to provide an accurate, documented daily point-of-service count of the number of meals served to children according to each child’s eligibility category regardless of where meals are being consumed (cafeteria, classrooms, etc.) while also ensuring that meals served contain the required food components to comprise a reimbursable meal. You may also review the ATS Wiki (requires login) to learn more.

    Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

     Helps schools achieve their goals in improving the quality of life for students and staff.

    • Prevent potential human health hazards
    • Damages to school structures
    • Pests from spreading within a building
    • Bed Bug Support

    Email pestcontrol@schools.nyc.gov for assistance.

    Kitchen Rental

    We provide School Principals & Non-Profit Organizations the opportunity to rent out our kitchen(s) for conducting Cooking Classes, Fundraisers or Community events.

    The "Use of Kitchen" includes 1 kitchen staff member. Our current price is $36.40 per hour with a minimum of 4 hours rental. Please check with your School Food Service Manager for kitchen availability. Service times requested cannot interfere with Student services Breakfast, Lunch, Snack or Supper programs. To place a request the Principal or organization must have an account with OFNS. We will try to accommodate ongoing programs that require less than the 4 hrs. a day rental period. All requests must be placed at least 8 days before the event date.

    To obtain a username and password contact Mr. Marc Mills from our Account Receivable Department at mmills@schools.nyc.gov or call 718-707-4383.

    There are two methods of Payment “My School Budget” or “Organizational Check “. All schools will use their budget codes to process a request or Small items Payment Process (SIPP). Outside Non-Profit organizations will submit a check with a copy of the invoice. Invoices are generated 3-5 days after event date.

    The Principal, Teacher in Charge, Director, or Chef operating the afterschool program is responsible for students while working in the kitchen.

    If you already have an account sign-in on the Special Events Catering page to place your request.

    Additional Resources

    School Resources

    Breakfast in the Classroom (BIC)

    Family Income Inquiry Form Assistance

    ATS RMEL (Report of Eligibility Category) Instructions

    Food Donations

    School Meals Accountability

    School Meals Finance

    Please call 718-707-4398 if you have any questions.

    Universal School Meals