Food Services
Food and Nutritional Services
Fresh meals, made well
Food & Nutrition Services plans and prepares meals to support student health and learning across the district, in partnership with Chartwells K12. Through the district's Farm to Table initiative, Branford sources fresh fruit, vegetables, and beef locally, and hosts educational events connecting students to where their food comes from. We are committed to ensuring everyone in the BPS community has the food and nutrition they need to succeed.
Our department is especially proud to share that every Branford Public Schools student receives free breakfast each school day; no application is required!
What's New?
Fresh fruits vegetables and beef sourced locally, Seasonal menus bursting with flavor, Opportunities for students to learn where their food
Why It Matters
Promotes a happy and healthy lifestyle, Supports healthier meals for students, Builds connections between kids and community
What You Can Expect
Monthly menus with locally grown ingredients, Fun educational events celebrating locally grown, Farm-to-school tastings
Partnering With
Local farms and producers, we strengthen our community and provide students with a deeper connection to where their food comes from.
What We Do
- Preparing nutritious meals across all six schools
- Sourcing local produce, meat, and other ingredients through Farm to School
- Conducting student tastings and feedback sessions to inform menu planning
- Administering meal assistance programs for families who qualify
My SchoolBucks
Each student has a lunch account tied to their student ID. Families can add funds through MySchoolBucks, by check payable to the Branford School Lunch Program, or with cash sent to school with the student's name and ID number on it.
Food Services Staff
Born and raised in Branford, Alfonso “Foe” Iaderosa has always had a strong connection to his hometown and a lifelong passion for food. After graduating from Branford High School in 1992, Foe pursued his culinary education at Johnson & Wales University, earning his degree in 2000.
In 2003, he brought his experience and passion back home to Branford, opening his first restaurant, Foe an American Bistro. He later expanded with Foe Foods & Catering, building a reputation throughout the community for exceptional food, a welcoming atmosphere, and memorable experiences.
For Foe, however, the business was always about more than food. Throughout the life of his restaurants and catering business, he remained deeply committed to the Branford community, generously donating his time, meals, and catering services to support local organizations, causes, and neighbors in need. His dedication to giving back has been as much a part of his story as the food he served.
Alfonso “Foe” Iaderosa
Director of Dining Services / Executive Chef
Chartwells School Dining Services
Branford Public Schools
Free & Reduced Meal Application
Every BPS student already gets free breakfast; no application needed. Families may also qualify for free or reduced-price lunch; applications are available in Spanish. The District’s Determining Official can be contacted at: mcacace@branfordschools.org
Farm to School
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Branford is one of Connecticut's leading farm-to-school districts. When we can, we try to source directly from Connecticut farms, cook from scratch in our own kitchens, and bring students to the source so they know where their food comes from. It supports our local economy, and it puts better food on the tray.
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We source fruit, vegetables, and beef from Connecticut producers, including tomatoes from Cecarelli Farms and produce through the Northwest CT Food Hub. [Add 2–3 more named farms — names do the persuading here.]
Resources and Forms
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The BPS Food Advisory Council made up of students, parents, teachers, administrators and food service staff, meets several times a year. Our objective is to provide programmatic feedback to enhance the dining service. Some of the achievements to date have included the transition away from polystyrene products, food waste/composting, input on special menus and services such as Global Eats, Mood Boost and Student Choice programs.
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The district has embarked on a composting program in partnership with Blue Earth.
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Branford Public Schools partners with the Branford Community Foundation to help cover meal debt for families who need it. Community members can donate directly through the Foundation's fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Set up an account through MySchoolBucks to prepay online, or send a check (payable to the Branford School Lunch Program) or cash to school with your child's name and student ID.
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Menus and prices are built directly into this page.
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Yes — through the Seed to Table initiative, Branford sources fruit, vegetables, and beef locally, including tomatoes from Cecarelli Farms and the Northwest CT Food Hub.
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You can donate via MySchoolBucks directly by contacting mcacace@branfordschools.org. Alternatively, you can make a tax deductible donation to the Branford Community Foundation's meal-debt fund, which directly supports Branford families.
