School Nutrition

Pandemic Electronic Benefits Transfer (P-EBT)
P-EBT provides food assistance benefits on a debit-like Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card to North Carolina families whose school-aged children are eligible to receive free or reduced-price meals at school, but who have not been able to access those meals because they have been in virtual learning instruction at least some of the time due to COVID-19. The P-EBT benefits will be electronically placed on the EBT card monthly and can be used to purchase food items at EBT authorized food or grocery retailers, including most major grocery stores. See more info linked below.
P-EBT Flyer (Enligsh)
P-EBT Infographic (English)
P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (English)
P-EBT Flyer (Spanish)
P-EBT Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)

As we transition to in-person learning on April 14, we are switching our lunch service to a hot lunch concept. School lunch will remain at no cost for all children ages 0-18 for the remainder of this school year. For students attending school (in-person), hot lunches will be delivered to each classroom Monday-Thursday. In addition, hot lunches will be available for curbside pick-up Monday - Thursday from 11:40 am until noon. Due to COVID precautions, all meals are fully pre-packaged and sealed. We thank you for supporting our lunch program and hope that you will continue to participate which 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.
In order for us to properly plan for feeding students on April 14th and beyond, please take a few minutes and sign up for lunches you would like. More details can be found on the sign-ups or by contacting our nutrition team at nutrition@cpsfc.org or 919-682-1200 x251.

Our School Food Evolution

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.

Our Vision

A school meal program that feeds students’ minds and bodies. We continue to strive to:

  • Develop and sustain a model nutrition program supporting our school's mission of nurturing and developing the whole child.
  • Offer healthful lunches with delicious, fresh, local foods to help all of our students gain the benefits of excellent nutrition.
  • Bring together students and staff around food, while learning more about what healthy foods look and taste like.

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.

Lunch Ordering

CPSC is now able to offer meals at no charge for any children aged 0-18 as part of the special Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which has been extended through the end of 2020. These lunches are available to ANY child (age 0-18) at NO charge; regardless of free/reduced lunch eligibility or student enrollment at CPSC. Please let us know of your interest by filling out this form . Note that children should only receive one meal type per student each day across SFSP sites.

If you are unable to pick up meals, we have limited delivery options. Please contact our school social worker, Crystal Grant at crystal.grant@cpsfc.org or call/text (910) 591-2205 if you need to discuss delivery options.SFSP meal pickup will be at 724 Foster Street on Mondays and Thursdays from 12 noon-1:30 pm.

Please reach out to the Nutrition Team if you have any questions: nutrition@cpsfc.org, 919-682-1200 x 251

Free & Reduced Lunch

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 2020-21 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).

Milk

A vanilla soy alternative can be provided once a milk substitution form is submitted (English, Spanish).

See the online ordering form or the paper ordering form (English, Spanish) for more information and to get signed up.

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:

  1. mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
    1400 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
  2. fax: (202) 690-7442; or
  3. email: program.intake@usda.gov.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

This page (School Nutrition) last updated April 13, 2021