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Place lunch orders for July 28-Aug 27 at this google form. View/print a menu calendar here. Info about a new ordering system will be coming soon!
2021-22 Lunch Applications are now available! Apply ONLINE by visiting lunchapplication.com and selecting Central Park as your school DISTRICT.
Great students run on great food — and Central Park is redefining what great school food means!
Here at Central Park, we are committed to equity and justice for all, from our students here in Durham to people around the globe. In order to sustain our commitment to holistic learning, we are embarking on a journey of delicious discovery to support student growth and success through a new approach to school food.
A school meal program that feeds students’ minds and bodies. We continue to strive to:
We are proud of the success of the lunch program over the last few years. Our program has been nationally recognized for its innovation and focus on whole, fresh fruits and vegetables, and freshly prepared entrees, with minimal processed foods. We were sponsored by The Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine and presented at the 2017-18 National Conference for the School Nutrition Association, highlighting our large array of, and commitment to inclusion of, vegan offerings. Most importantly, the students enjoy the food! During the 2018-19 school year, we served over 31,000 lunches. That was our third year as a part of the National School Lunch program, and CPSC received close to $70,000 that year in reimbursement funds to help offset the cost to the school of providing student lunches.
We continue to benefit from a nutrition director with over 30 years of school food service, who oversees our programs and ensures that we maintain support for a triple bottom line: people (our students, staff, farmers, producers), planet (from Durham to the world), and budget (paying our chefs, catering staff, farmers, and producers equitably within the confines of USDA school meal reimbursement — yes, it can be done).
We’re again working with a local chef and caterer, Ashlyn Smith of Spicy Green Gourmet, utilizing delicious recipes that support student growth and protect the planet. Spicy Green is committed to 100% whole-grain rich foods, no artificial food dyes, and locally sourced foods when feasible. Spicy Green is excited to provide us with delicious daily meals, including tasty vegetarian, vegan and other hot lunch options.
We’re still supported by nutrition and research professionals to expand our commitment to good food at lunch and throughout the school day.
And we’re working with you, Central Park families, to make this happen. Thank you for your trust in serving your children! Questions? Contact our Nutrition Coordinator, Nadine Blake, at nutrition@cpsfc.org or 919-682-1200 x251.
We are thrilled to announce that once again our school lunches will be offered at NO charge to ALL enrolled students this year. (You are still encouraged to apply for free/reduced lunch status if you are eligible, as it can help with school funding.) Pre-orders are required for your child to receive a meal. Lunch will still be freshly prepared by Spicy Green Gourmet, but due to COVID precautions, all meals will be pre-packaged and sealed and delivered to classrooms. Each meal will include a meat/meat alternate, grain, fruit, vegetable, and milk. Meals will be eaten outside, weather permitting, with students socially distanced.
We will be transitioning to a new ordering system beginning September, but in order to keep it simple for the start of school, we are using a Google Form that is the same as what was used during the last school year. If you want to order any lunches, simply fill out one form per student and you are all set! If you have any questions or problems, simply email nutrition@cpsfc.org or call 919-682-1200 x251 and we can help!
We thank you for supporting our lunch program and hope that you will continue to participate. Your participation helps us to continue providing fresh, nutritious meals to our students and the Durham community. Moreover, your support allows us to keep on supporting our local business partner, Spicy Green Gourmet.
Contact our nutrition team with any questions or concerns: nutrition@cpsfc.org, 919-682-1200 x251
Central Park is again part of the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) this year. All families who believe they are eligible for free or reduced lunch benefits are encouraged to read the parent letter and complete the 2022-22 free and reduced application. You can now apply ONLINE by visiting lunchapplication.com and selecting Central Park as your school district. Paper applications are available to print (English Application, Spanish Application) and can also be picked up at either school office. FAQs, income charts, and instructions are available as part of the parent letter. Additionally there is an optional portion of the form which allows you to indicate if you would like your approved status shared with other programs in order to receive additional benefits beyond free or reduced lunch prices (e.g. before school/after school discounts, food pantry assistance).
Questions, comments, concerns? Email nutrition@cpsfc.org or call 919-682-1200 x251.
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, religious creed, disability, age, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: How to File a Complaint, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
