Free School Meals | Menus | Linq Connect Account Information | Severe Allergies | Food Assistance Resources | Meal Modification Plan
Free School Meals
Parent / Guardian Letter 2026-2027
This school year all Saratoga Springs CSD students are eligible to receive FREE school meals (1 breakfast and 1 lunch per day), regardless of family income, through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Please note that additional meals, snacks, and à la carte items are not included and will still need to be purchased. Students may pay for these items using cash or funds available on their LINQ Connect accounts. Parents/guardians also have a no-cost option to add funds to their child’s account by sending cash or a check directly to their child’s school or by making a payment at the district office.
No application is required; however, families are encouraged to complete this Household Income Eligibility Form(HHIE). The data gathered from this form can qualify students for additional benefits and allows the district to receive additional state and federal funding. The online form is confidential and only requires selecting an income range.
For questions about the HHIE form, please contact:
Cafeteria Menus
View school meal menus through LINQ Connect
View the daily options menu This menu was created to support our non-readers or students who benefit from visual supports to increase their independence.
Breakfast
Breakfast is available to all students in every building.
In order to meet USDA requirements, school breakfasts must contain no more than 30% of calories from fat, and less then 10% from saturated fat. In addition, breakfast must provide one fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for protein, calcium, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and calories.
Research shows that children who eat breakfast:
- are less likely to be overweight
- show improvement on math, reading and standardized test scores
- establish healthier habits for later in life
- have fewer absences and incidences of tardiness
- are more likely to behave better in school
- consume more calcium, fiber, foliate and protein
LINQ Connect Meal Account
All second meals, snacks, and a la carte items must be paid for.
Saratoga Springs City School District uses LINQ Connect for school food payments. There are four easy steps to creating your free account.
- Go to LINQ Connect from any computer, tablet or mobile device: https://linqconnect.com/
- Register for a free account
- Search for Saratoga Springs City School District.
- Add funds securely to student accounts (or use the LINQ Connect app) Parents/guardians also have a no-cost option to add funds to their child’s account by sending cash or a check directly to their child’s school or by making a payment at the district office.
LINQ Connect allows you to set up one-time or recurring payments for your student’s meal. You can also view previous transactions, set spending limits, transfer funds between students, set low-balance notifications and more. It’s an easy way to manage payments without the hassle of sending cash.
Severe Allergies
Students who have been diagnosed by a physician with severe food or life-threatening allergies need special considerations to help ensure their health and safety in school. We have a wide range of supports for students in kindergarten through grade 12 including:
- Registered nurses in each building who are knowledgeable in preventing and managing allergic reactions
- Comprehensive procedures for administering prescribed medications in school and on field trips
- Training, books and teaching materials for school personnel on prevention and intervention activities
- Staff training in EpiPen administration
If your child is diagnosed with a severe allergy:
- Contact your building principal or school nurse upon enrollment.
- For clarification on district policies and practices on this important issue please contact the Pupil Services Department at (518) 583-4715.
If you have any questions or comments please contact Eric Bush, the Director of Food Service at (518) 583-4704.
Policies
Meal Modification Statement for Students with Special Dietary Needs
Meal Modification Plan
Click here to view the Meal Modification Plan.
Food Assistance Resources
Local Food Pantries
A database of local food pantries and meal assistance programs can be found here.
SNAP
SNAP provides monthly benefits to buy food at grocery stores, farmers markets, and other locations. SNAP helps families stretch their food budget so kids can get the nutrition they need to learn and grow. See if you are eligible here and apply for SNAP online at MyBenefits.ny.gov
The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) offers one-on-one help applying for SNAP. NOEP can tell you if you may be eligible for SNAP, answer questions, and help with your application. It’s free and confidential. Find a NOEP Coordinator near you at FoodHelpNY.org.
Summer Food
Nutritious free meals are available for children and teens 18 and younger at many locations throughout the nation throughout the summer while school is out of session. Please visit the USDA website to find a location near you.
Summer EBT Sunbucks Information from OTDA
Summer EBT, also known as SUN Bucks, is a federal program created by a bipartisan act of the U.S. Congress. It is designed to help low-income families with school-aged children buy groceries during the summer months when school meals are not available. Research shows this program helps reduce food insecurity and supports better nutrition for children during summer break.
Student Wellness Policy
Click here to view the Student Wellness Policy 5405
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement
- Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Mail Stop 9410, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
- Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
- Email: program.intake@usda.gov(link sends e-mail).
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.