Food Services

GCIT utilizes Offer Verses Serve (OVS). This system enhances student meal choices and reduces food waste. OVS allows students to decline some of the food offered as part of a complete meal, promoting customization and reducing waste. At Lunch students must select at least three food components out of the five that are offered, including at least a ½ cup of fruit or vegetables, to have a reimbursable meal. This approach encourages students to eat better and creates a positive dining experience while ensuring that students are receiving nutritious meals.

What is a “School Meal"

The 5 components that make a "school meal"

A serving of Protein
A serving of Vegetables
A serving of Fruit
A serving of Grain
Fat Free or Low Fat Milk

A letter to the parents from Superintendent Heiken about Food Services

LETTER TO THE PARENTS

LETTER TO THE PARENTS - SPANISH

Menus and Nutritional Information - MySchoolMenus

GCIT utilizes "My School Menus" as the primary resource which provides students, parents, and school staff with access to school lunch menus, nutritional information, allergen details, and meal prices. To use it, you'll need to download the app from the Google Play or Apple App Store and then search for your specific school or district to view its menu offerings. The app allows filtering by allergens and offers detailed nutrient information for individual items and complete meals.

How to Access "My School Menus"

1. Download the App:

Search for "My School Menus" on Google Play or Apple App Store and download it to your device.

2. Find Your School:

Open the app and search for “Gloucester County Vocational Technical School District”

3. View the Menu:

Once your school is selected, you will be able to view the menu.

Features of the App

Real-time Updates: Stay informed of changes to the menu in real time.
Nutritional Information: Get detailed nutrient breakdowns for menu items and complete meals.
Allergen Filters: Filter menu items to see options that meet specific dietary needs or avoid allergens.
Meal Prices: View the prices for meals offered at your school.
Multi-Language Support: Some versions of the app may offer translation features.

Free & Reduced Meals Application - MySchoolApps

The Food and Nutrition Services Program participates in the National School Lunch Program, which is a federally funded program that assists in providing nutritionally balanced, low-cost or free meals to students each day.

One form is needed per family per school district. GCIT is unique in that we are our own school district. If there are other siblings at other school districts, BOTH school districts must receive an application.

The lunch application must be fully completed (be sure to include everyone in your household and all income) and returned to the Food Services office by mail, e-mail, or dropped off at school. The application can be found below.

In addition, when filling out the paper application you MUST ALSO submit the “Sharing Information with Other Programs” form. To save you time and effort, the information you give on your Free and Reduced Price School Meals Application may be shared with other programs for which your children may qualify but you must give permission. Sending in this form will not change whether your children get free or reduced priced meals. Click here to download... Sharing Information with Other Programs Form

Please note: When submitting the FRMA online it will include the Sharing Information with Other Programs form.

New families will need to have their applications approved before the subsidy will apply. Until that time, full charges will accrue.

For returning families, new applications must be submitted each school year by September 30th or the subsidy carry-over will expire. Parents/guardians are highly encouraged to fill out the applications as soon as possible to avoid these charges because it will be their responsibility to pay back any fee accrual.

You can submit the application at any time during the current school year.

For any questions contact Bruce DeMerice at 856-468-1445 x 2135 or rdemerice@gcecnj.org

SCHOOL MEALS & SUMMER EBT APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS/HOW TO APPLY FOR APPLICATION

SHARING INFORMATION FORM FOR HEALTH CARE

SHARING INFORMATION WITH OTHER PROGRAMS FORM

SPANISH VERSIONS BELOW:

SCHOOL MEALS & SUMMER EBT APPLICATION

INSTRUCTIONS/HOW TO APPLY FOR APPLICATION

SHARING INFORMATION FORM FOR HEALTH CARE

Online Payment - MySchoolBucks

(Can we attach the Link for the google play and the apple app link for them to download)

Meal Prices for 2025-2026:

Breakfast (Regular Price) - $2.75

Breakfast (Reduced Price) - $0.00

Lunch (Regular Price) - $4.00

Lunch (Reduced Price) - $0.00

A la Carte – Price as marked

GCIT uses mySchoolBucks, an online payment service giving you a quick and easy way to manage and add funds to your child’s meal account. You can review recent purchases along with seeing the current balance and receive low balance alerts…all FREE! You can also add money to your child’s account using Visa, Master Card, Discover Card, or debit cards for a small fee. An added benefit of mySchoolBucks is the “Set it and Forget it” payment option, which allows you to schedule automatic payments to your child’s meal account. Funds can be added weekly, monthly or when the balance hits a special amount—simply chooses the “Setup a payment schedule” option during the checkout.

Every student is assigned a student ID that is tied to his or her meal account. (THE SCHOOL IDEA MUST BE PRESENTED TO THE CASHIER WHEN PURCHASING ITEMS). The account is similar to a checking account, where purchases are deducted from funds applied to the account. Funds can be applied by cash or check paid to the kitchen cashier.

If a child’s account goes into the negative, an automated e-mail and/or phone call will be sent to the parent/guardian. These notices take place once a week as a service to the family to ensure that negative charges do not accrue drastically before a parent/guardian is made aware.

MySchoolBucks provides…

Safety. Eliminates the need for your child to take money to school
Convenience. Make payments when it is convenient for you, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
Control. Set low balance alerts, view account activity, recurring payments and more!
Efficiency. Make payments for all your children in one easy step
Flexibility. Make payments using Visa, Master Card, Discover or debit cards.

Enrollment is easy!

1. Go to www.myschoolbucks.com and register for a free account. A confirmation will be sent to the address you provide; click on the link included in the email to activate your account.

2. Activate your account and begin adding your child. You will need their school's name and student ID.

3. Add funds to your child’s account(s) with your Visa, Master Card, and Discover, debit card or electronic check. A convenience fee of $3.50 may apply for payments to your child’s account(s). You will have the opportunity to review any fees (and cancel, if you choose) before you are charged. Money deposited into myschoolbucks.com generally appears in the account within 12-24 hours. Once you have signed up you can fund your child’s account via the mySchoolBucks website or mobile app, which is available for iPhone and Android devices. Security is a priority at mySchoolBucks. The system is secure; providing the highest level of protection for all of your information.

Resources/Policies

Catering

Dining & Nutrition Services

Breakfast – Lunch - Catering

Food Services can cater for your event! Please submit an online request at least two weeks prior to the event. Please fill out the online form below with all the details. We are happy to accommodate special catering requests for items that may not be on our catering menu. Please contact Bruce DeMerice at rdemerice@gcecnj.org to discuss any catering needs. We look forward to working with you!

Forms

Required

Frequently Asked Questions

If I have a mySchoolBucks account in another school district, can I use the same mySchoolBucks account for my child entering Gloucester County Vocational Technical School District?

No, a new mySchoolBucks account will need to be set up and you will need to choose Gloucester County Vocational School District when it is asked to choose a school district. If you still have money on the other mySchoolBucks account, you will need to request a refund from that school district and close the account. Money cannot be transferred over to GCIT.

How do I apply for free/reduced meals for my child?

An application can be found in the Back to School packet. You may also retrieve the application from the school website under the food service tab.

My child received free/reduced meals last year. Do I have to submit another application for this school year?

Yes, in order for your child to qualify for free/reduced meals, an application needs to be completed and signed every school year. If we do not receive an application for your child by the deadline date, your child's lunch status will change to full pay and you will be responsible for the cost of the meals.

The income status has changed in the household. Can I fill out a meal application anytime?

Yes, anytime there is a change in income, you may fill out an application. Once the application has been determined that your child will be receiving free or reduced-price meals, the benefit remains for the whole school year.

How can I deposit money in my child's account?

We accept cash or checks (made out to GCIT Food Service) at any register. You also have the option to make payments online at www.myschoolbucks.com. There is an online fee for transactions.

Can I put restrictions on my child's lunch account?

Yes, call Bruce DeMerice 856-468-1445 x2135

What is the difference between MySchoolBucks, MySchool Apps and MySchool Menu?

Each program has its own app for your convenience, or you can log in online to each account

MySchoolBucks is an online payment service giving you a quick and easy way to manage and add funds to your child’s meal account.

MySchoolApp is the fast and secure way to apply for free and reduced meals online.

MySchoolMenu you will find what is being served at your student's school along with nutritional information, allergens, and more!

How do I request a pay out from the lunch account balance?

Please fill out the Meal Account Refund Request form found in the Food Service section of the website.

Staff

Bruce Demerice

Titles: Food Service Coordinator

Roles: Faculty & Staff

Departments: Food Services

Email:

Phone Numbers:
School: 856-468-1445 ext. 2135

Dyanna Schroer

Titles: Coordinator of Office Support for Food Services