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District joins National School Lunch Program, urges families to apply to protect reimbursements
Summary
Shoreham-Wading River will operate universal free meals this year through the National School Lunch Program; food service officials urged families who may qualify for free or reduced-price meals to file applications by roughly Oct. 1 so the district's Year 1 base rate accurately reflects need and maximizes federal reimbursement.
Shoreham-Wading River will operate universal free meals in the 2025-26 school year after completing enrollment in the National School Lunch Program, food service leader Glen Arcuri told the board on Aug. 26. Arcuri said the district is a "Provision 2" school for the first year, meaning the number of families who submit free-and-reduced applications during Year 1 will set the district's federal reimbursement base for the next three years.
"For your first year, you are considered a provision 2 school," Arcuri said, and stressed that families who think they may qualify should file an application so the district's base rate is accurate. He told the board Oct. 1 would be an ideal target for applications to help set that base year.
Arcuri described operational requirements tied to the program: menus must meet the National School Lunch Program meal-pattern standards; Year 1 districts face heightened audits; and cafeteria staff will encourage students to take a "complete meal" (three of five components) so meals are reimbursable. "Year 1, you're always audited," Arcuri said, adding the district is "dotting our i's" to ensure compliance.
Board members asked how the district is notifying families; Arcuri said principals included information in back-to-school packets, messages were sent through ParentSquare and the district's electronic backpack, and menus and a NutriKids tab are on the district website. He also described how a la carte purchases will be handled: if a student selects only a nonreimbursable main item and has money on a NutriKids account, the account will be charged for the a la carte item, but a complete reimbursable lunch cannot be charged to a negative balance.
Administrators recognized that the transition could cause initial confusion and urged clear communication. Arcuri said the district is prepared to offer gluten-free and allergy accommodations but asked that parents notify nurses and the cafeteria where possible to ensure separate preparation for hot meals. "If we know ahead of time, we will definitely have that lunch prepared every day," Arcuri said.
The board did not take a vote on the program itself; Arcuri requested families complete applications and the administration said it will provide periodic updates on participation and reimbursement impacts.
