Students in the district may be dining on new cuisine in the near future if the right proposal is presented to the board this month.
The district held a mandatory tour of facilities on April 22 and all potential respondents were required to attend in order to submit a proposal, according to Superintendent Dr. Dave Jensen. All proposals are due by May 15.
Once the proposals are reviewed, the board will move forward with the best option.
Three food service companies attended the pre-requisite tour: Chartwells, Aramark and Sodexo.
"All three have met that requirement and we are waiting for proposals to be submitted," Jensen said.
Jensen said the district is making the switch to a new food service provider in order to meet the needs of the students and "re-engage" them in the lunch service.
"We feel strongly about making sure the food service meets the needs and wants of the community," he said.
The current food service the district offers meets U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards, but doesn't necessarily provide students with a meal they want to eat. The lunch, provided through the Preferred Meal System, offers students pre-served portions that are heated on-site.
In addition to not meeting the needs of students, the meal system is also not affording the district the cost savings it had expected.
"It was in our best interest to look at other options and re-brand our food service provisions," Jensen said.
With a new food service program, Jensen said the district will be adding more interesting and expansive options.
"We will be able to take a step back toward more of a scratch-style cooking," he said.
The current food service offers students pre-packaged meals, but Jensen said he wants to move back toward meals that are prepared on-site for the most part.
He said the plan is to have the new service in place for the upcoming school year.
"We are excited about adding some of the prospects and are pushing to have a new food service model in place for the upcoming school year," Jensen said.
As far as cost is concerned, he said it was difficult to make a statement without seeing the proposals, but is optimistic about cost savings. He said he anticipates a lower expense with the new food service program and thinks the district will be able to operate whichever option is chosen at a lower overhead cost.
The decision should be made final by the end of the month and students can look forward to exploring new lunch options like customizable sub sandwiches at school next year.
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