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District lunch menus

Gaston County Schools School Lunch Menu

Start with the official district menu or nutrition services page, then check payment options, free or reduced meal guidance, breakfast information, and allergy notes with the district.

Latest menu and district resources

Use the district menu source for the current school year and confirm whether updates are posted by school, grade band, or meal type.

How parents can check menu updates

Look for the latest PDF menu, cafeteria calendar, nutrition services page, or district app notice. Older screenshots should be treated as background only.

Breakfast and lunch options

Some districts publish separate breakfast menus, some combine breakfast and lunch, and some rotate menus by school level. Confirm the current format before you rely on it.

Meal prices and payment help

Check the district payment system, account balance rules, refund process, and any convenience fees before adding funds.

Free/reduced lunch and CEP notes

Families should verify whether the district uses a free and reduced meal application, CEP, or another no-cost meal option for the current school year.

Allergies, special diets, and nutrition information

Review the district allergy or special diet process, then confirm with the school or district nutrition office and a healthcare professional for child-specific needs.

Parent tips for using school lunch menus

  • Save the official district page instead of relying on screenshots.
  • Check the school year on every menu PDF.
  • Confirm meal payment and allergy steps before the first week of school.

North Carolina school lunch resources

Related FSL guides

Menus, prices, and school meal policies can change. Confirm the latest information with your school or district before making meal decisions.

FAQ

Where do I find the latest menu?

Use the official district menu source linked above and confirm the current school year.

How do I check meal payments?

Start with the district payment portal or student accounts page and confirm fees, balance alerts, and refund steps.

Who handles allergy questions?

Contact the district nutrition office or school nurse, then confirm child-specific needs with a healthcare professional.

What if the menu changes?

Menus can change during the school year, so use the newest district file or nutrition services notice.

Table of Contents

A Snapshot of Gaston County Schools Nutrition in recent school years

The school year of recent school years at GCS sees the continuation of the commitment to providing well-balanced, nutritious meals. Here’s what parents and students need to know:

  • Easy Access to School Menus: Parents and students can easily view weekly menus online, keeping them informed of the delicious and nutritious options available.
  • Meal Inclusions: A standard breakfast includes grain/protein, milk, and fruit/juice, while a lunch comprises an entree, milk, vegetable, and fruit.
  • Applications for Reduced-Price Meals: For non-CEP schools, parents can apply for reduced-price meals, with eligibility based on household income and size.
  • Convenient Payment Options: GCS offers various payment methods, including online payments through the LINQ Connect portal, catering to modern, busy lifestyles.

Gaston County Schools Lunch Menus

GCS’s lunch menus are crafted to be both nutritious and appealing, ensuring students have access to a range of healthy options. Each menu item is selected to meet students’ dietary needs, providing a balanced diet that fuels both their bodies and minds.

At FSL, our volunteers work hard to keep school lunch menus up-to-date. Occasionally, there may be delays due to school district updates or oversight on our part. If you find an outdated menu, please check your school’s page or the district’s official website, linked at the end of our article. We appreciate your understanding and are committed to providing timely updates.

Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Program

At 40 GCS schools participating in the CEP program, students receive breakfast and lunch free of charge, emphasizing the district’s commitment to ensuring no student goes hungry.

  1. Ashbrook High School
  2. Beam Elementary
  3. Beam Intermediate 
  4. Bessemer City Central 
  5. Bessemer City Middle
  6. Bessemer City High 
  7. Bessemer City Primary 
  8. Brookside Elementary
  9. Carr Elementary
  10. Catawba Heights Elementary
  11. Chapel Grove Elementary
  12. Chavis Middle School
  13. Cherryville Elementary
  14. Cherryville High School
  15. Costner Elementary
  16. Gardner Park Elementary
  17. Grier Middle School
  18. Hunter Huss High School
  19. Holbrook Middle School
  20. Friday Middle School
  21. Kiser Elementary
  22. Lingerfeldt Elementary
  23. Lowell Elementary
  24. Mount Holly Middle
  25. North Belmont Elementary
  26. North Gaston High School
  27. Pinewood Elementary
  28. Pleasant Ridge Elementary
  29. Rankin Elementary
  30. Robinson Elementary
  31. Sadler Elementary
  32. Sherwood Elementary
  33. Southwest Middle School
  34. Springfield Elementary
  35. Stanley Middle School
  36. Tryon Elementary
  37. Warlick Academy
  38. Webb Street School
  39. Woodhill Elementary
  40. York Chester Middle School

Gaston County Schools Meal Prices

  • Student: Pre-K-Fifth Grade $1:40 ( Breakfast) | Lunch $2.90
  • Student: Sixth Grade-High $1:40 (Breakfast) | $3.00 (Lunch)
  • School Staff and Adult Guest: $2.00 (Breakfast) | $4.00 (Lunch)

* There is a $0.40 charge for lunch and a $0.30 charge for breakfast for students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Special Dietary Needs: A Focus on Individual Care

Recognizing that some students have specific dietary requirements, GCS encourages parents to complete a diet order form, signed by a recognized medical authority, for personalized meal accommodations. This proactive approach ensures that every student’s health and nutritional needs are met.

School Nutrition Reminders for Parents and Students

GCS provides several reminders to ensure that parents and students make the most of the school nutrition program:

  • Meal Selection Requirements: To qualify for the standard meal price, students must select the required number of meal components, with at least one being a fruit or vegetable.
  • Meal Charging Policy: While there is a limited charging option for elementary and middle school students, high school students can request a complimentary alternate meal if needed.
  • Water Availability: Water is provided free of charge and is readily available during meal times.
  • Meal Preparation and Concerns: All meals are prepared following state and federal guidelines. Parents with questions or concerns are encouraged to reach out to the school principal.

List of Gaston County Schools

There are 30 elementary schools, 11 middle schools, and 12 high schools in the Gaston County School District.

Elementary Schools

  1. Belmont Central Elementary
  2. Bessemer City Central
  3. Bessemer City Primary
  4. Brookside Elementary
  5. Carr Elementary
  6. Catawba Heights Elementary
  7. Chapel Grove Elementary
  8. Cherryville Elementary
  9. Costner Elementary
  10. Gardner Park Elementary
  11. H.H. Beam Elementary
  12. Hawks Nest STEAM Academy
  13. Kiser Elementary
  14. Lingerfeldt Elementary
  15. Lowell Elementary
  16. McAdenville Elementary
  17. New Hope Elementary
  18. North Belmont Elementary
  19. Page Primary
  20. Pinewood Elementary
  21. Pleasant Ridge Elementary
  22. Rankin Elementary
  23. Robinson Elementary
  24. Sadler Elementary
  25. Sherwood Elementary
  26. Springfield Elementary
  27. Tryon Elementary
  28. W.A. Bess Elementary
  29. W.B. Beam Intermediate
  30. Woodhill Elementary

Middle Schools

  1. Belmont Middle
  2. Bessemer City Middle
  3. Cramerton Middle
  4. Grier Middle
  5. Holbrook Middle
  6. John Chavis Middle
  7. Mount Holly Middle
  8. Southwest Middle
  9. Stanley Middle
  10. W.C. Friday Middle
  11. York Chester Middle

High Schools

  1. Ashbrook High
  2. Bessemer City High
  3. Cherryville High
  4. East Gaston High
  5. Forestview High
  6. Gaston Early College
  7. Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences
  8. Highland School of Technology
  9. Hunter Huss High
  10. North Gaston High
  11. South Point High
  12. Stuart W. Cramer High

Stay Updated with FSL

For the latest information on school lunch programs, including Gaston County Schools, visit FSL regularly. And for direct updates from GCS, please check the official Gaston County School District website.

Gaston County Schools’ dedication to a robust nutrition program is an integral part of their educational philosophy. By providing students with the necessary nutrients for learning and growth, GCS plays a pivotal role in shaping a healthier, brighter future for the community.