Skip to main content

Poughkeepsie City School District

Together, We are Champions for Children in Poughkeepsie City Schools

Overview

Welcome to the Food Services Department

The mission of the Poughkeepsie City School District Food Service Department is to provide all students with healthy, nutritious and well-balanced meals that support their academic success and overall well-being. We are committed to serving high-quality foods that meet or exceed nutritional standards, foster lifelong healthy eating habits and reflect the diverse needs of our school community. Through our dedication, we strive to create a positive dining experience that nourishes the minds and bodies of every student we serve.

Lunches and breakfasts are provided to students free of charge everyday. 

Families can allow their students to purchase additional meals, snacks or other items by creating an account on the LINQ Connect system and adding funds. Staff can also purchase meals and items using that system.

Read more about how school meals work below.

Learn more about LINQ point-of-sale systemBreakfast and Lunch Menus

Prices
Student’s 2nd meal: Breakfast $2; Lunch $3; Milk $0.65
Adult meal: Breakfast $4; Lunch $6; Milk $0.75

 

For inquiries related to the food services program, please contact:

FoodService@poughkeepsieschools.org

Director of Food Services
Shameka Watson

Assistant Director of Food Services
Shamel Tolbert

Location:
Poughkeepsie High School
70 Forbus Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Phone: (845) 451-4780

Listing of Area Food Pantries

The Food Services Department is Hiring! See Openings HereChildren sit at tables in a cafeteria, eating lunch and interacting.

How school meals work

The Poughkeepsie City School District participates in the Community Eligibility Provision, or CEP, a federal meal program through the USDA National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program, which allows school to provide meals to all students at no charge, regardless of household income. Below, please read answers to frequently asked questions regarding how that works.

  • No. Because Poughkeepsie City School District participates in CEP, families do not need to complete the traditional Free and Reduced-Price School Meals Application for their children to receive breakfast and lunch at school.

  • Nothing! Students enrolled in participating PCSD schools may receive breakfast and lunch each school day at no cost to the family.

  • No. CEP covers a complete reimbursable student breakfast and lunch. Additional items or à la carte purchases are separate from the CEP meal benefit.

  • Generally, CEP covers the student’s eligible reimbursable school meal. Second meals, extra entrées, snacks or other à la carte items are not automatically covered by CEP and may require payment when offered.

  • No. CEP applies to eligible student meals. Meals purchased by teachers, staff members, parents, visitors and other adults must be paid for according to the district’s adult meal prices.

  • No. Under CEP, individual students do not have to qualify based on household income to receive their school breakfast and lunch at no charge.

  • No. CEP allows all students to participate in the school meal program without being separated by household income or meal eligibility status. Every student has access to the same school meal program.

  • PCSD Food Service offers meals that follow USDA school nutrition requirements. Meals include a variety of items such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein-rich foods and milk. Students must select the required meal components for the meal to qualify as a complete reimbursable school meal.

  • Yes. Participation in school meals is optional. Students may bring food from home if their family chooses. However, nutritious school breakfast and lunch are available to students at no charge.

  • Parents and guardians should make sure the school nurse and appropriate school personnel have current information regarding their child’s food allergies or special dietary needs. PCSD Food Service works with families and school staff to help provide safe and appropriate meal accommodations when required.

  • No. PCSD meals must continue to meet federal school nutrition standards. Our Food Service Department is committed to providing students with nutritious, appealing and school-friendly meal choices.

  • Every breakfast and lunch served helps support the district’s Child Nutrition Program. Strong student participation also helps PCSD continue investing in quality food, menu variety, equipment, staffing and services for our students.

  • Breakfast gives students an opportunity to start their school day with a nutritious meal. Families are encouraged to have their children participate in the School Breakfast Program. Breakfast is available at no cost to PCSD students through CEP.

  • Although a traditional meal application is not required for students to receive meals through CEP, the district may request other household information for purposes unrelated to determining whether a child can receive a school meal. This information may help the district qualify for educational funding, programs or other benefits.