School Lunch Information

Community Eligibility Provision: We are pleased to inform you that our schools will be implementing a new provision available to schools participating in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs called the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). 

The Nutrition Services department is made up of a team of food and nutrition professionals that are dedicated to students' health, well being and their ability to learn. We support learning by promoting healthy habits for lifelong nutrition and fitness practices.

Meals, foods and beverages sold or served at schools meet state and federal requirements which are based on the USDA Dietary Guidelines. We provide students with access to a variety of affordable and appealing foods that meet the health and nutrition needs of students.

Great News! Due to recent Federal Funding, Breakfast and Lunch will be available at No Cost To all students of the Central Islip UFSD. Snacks and Ala carte purchases will be additional. Fill out and submit your CEP Application NOW!

New Federal Meal Pattern: For the first time in nearly two decades, the federal government has issued new nutrition standards for meals served to America’s schoolchildren, based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.  For more information on the Dietary Guidelines, see ChooseMyPlate.gov. 

Requirements include limits on calories, saturated fat, trans fat and sodium in school meals.  All lunches will include five meal components: 

• meat or meat alternate such as yogurt, lean beef, chicken or low-fat chees
• grain such as whole-wheat bread or brown rice 
• fruit selection; fresh or canned when the availability of fresh fruit is limited
• vegetable; a variety of raw or cooked
• milk selections; low-fat or fat-free

Each child must select at least three of these five components on their tray to make a meal, including a fruit or vegetable.

The biggest change is that children must select a fruit or a vegetable with their lunch every day.  Please explain these changes to your child before they arrive at school and encourage them to try these new foods.  They just might find a new favorite!