Food Services
The NCS kitchen serves on average about 90 lunches and 40 breakfasts each day of the school year, making a total of about 16,000 lunches and 7,000 breakfasts in a school year for a total of 23,000 meals annually. Our dedicated School Nutrition Program Staff work hard day in and day out to craft healthy and attractive meals that meet or exceed all federal requirements for healthy school meals. Those new to our community regularly comment how amazing the food is at our school and staff are often just as excited as the kids are for their particular favorite meal!
Free or Reduced Meals and Maine's Free Meals for SY 2025
Thanks to the Maine Legislature, all meals will be provided at no charge to all Maine public school students for the 2024-25 School Year. However, this is not the case nationally and several other funding streams for public schools are dependent on the rates of economic status in schools. Therefore, it is still important for all families to complete the Economic Status Form.
What is a "reimbursable meal" anyway?
Through the National School Lunch Program, public schools around the nation are eligible for reimbursement of free or reduced cost meals, provided that all meals served meet the definition for "reimbursable meals."
For example, to qualify as a reimbursable lunch, schools must offer all five of the items below and students must choose at least three of the items below and one of those choices must be Fruits or Vegetables.
Fruits
Vegetables
Grains
Protein Foods
Milk
To qualify as a reimbursable breakfast, schools must offer four items and students must choose at least three of those items, one of which must be Fruits (or Vegetables).
Entree (2 items)
2 Grains OR
1 Grain and 1 Protein
Fruits (or Vegetables)
Milk