All Niskayuna students now enjoy daily halal and vegetarian options
When Niskayuna students entered their school cafeterias this fall, they were met with updated options for both delicious and more diverse meal offerings.
From consistent meal programming in all elementary schools to new breakfast sandwich options at Iroquois Middle School to daily halal and vegetarian options available in all buildings, there is something for everyone.
The updated meal offerings were introduced to give all Niskayuna students and faculty unique and varied meal options, strengthening our environment and culture.
“When I came to K-12 schools from universities and colleges, I noticed we didn’t have as much of a variety of inclusive offerings,” said Niskayuna’s Director of Food and Nutrition Ross Tuskey.
One of the most notable updated items is a daily halal turkey and cheese sandwich, which is available to all students in all buildings. The sandwich is made of certified halal products, which means the meat products are manufactured according to Islamic law and the cheese does not use animal enzymes.
Many students and families in the community expressed interest in halal options in cafeterias.
“We serve a diverse community,” said Tuskey. “It’s important to know who your audience is and we want to make sure we’re inclusive throughout. We want to make sure that people feel like they have options.”
Iroquois Middle School Food Service Helper Heela Fakher and a district parent were instrumental in bringing the daily halal option to our schools.
Fakher and Tuskey worked together to bring certified halal turkey and cheese sandwich ingredients to all cafeterias this year.
“The families are very happy,” said Fakher. “They call and say they appreciate the halal option in Niskayuna and it gives them more of an opportunity to eat [school meals].”
The district also introduced new daily vegetarian options for students. A new yogurt parfait is available daily to students at Van Antwerp and Iroquois middle schools. All elementary school students and students at Van Antwerp Middle School now have a daily grilled cheese croissant as well.
Hillside Elementary School Cook Manager Maggie Anatriello was the main driving force behind this new, fun take on the traditional grilled cheese sandwich. She created the grilled cheese croissant to give students another daily meal option.
“I think it’s been very well received by the students and families,” said Anatriello, adding that the limited number of ingredients also make it more allergy friendly.
According to Anatriello, the grilled cheese croissant is very popular in elementary schools. In fact, some buildings serve close to 30 a day.
In addition, Iroquois Middle School students now have access to new daily breakfast sandwich options, including egg and cheese, bacon, egg and cheese, and turkey sausage, egg and cheese—all served on whole grain English muffins. A cheese pizza slice is also a daily lunch option.
Student feedback on the expanded menu items has been overwhelmingly positive.
“I feel like everybody needs to eat and if you don’t like the main menu, you should be able to eat something,” said eighth grader Aniyah Hughes.
Universal free meals drives participation in school breakfast and lunch
A new state law allows all students in our district to receive free breakfast and lunch every day. Under the program, second meals and a la carte items are still available for purchase.
The introduction of free meals for all Niskayuna students has led to an increase in the number of meals served in all cafeterias. Comparing September and October 2024 to September and October 2025, breakfasts increased by 206% (10,307 to 31,589) and lunches increased by 70% (65,572 to 111,490).
“We thought we would do well, but we’ve exceeded it,” said Tuskey. “It’s been huge.”
Learn more about our district’s meals programming.
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