Shawnee Mission Food Services showcases achievements and plans for nutritious student meals

The Shawnee Mission School District (SMSD) Board Meeting on April 14, 2025, featured a comprehensive report on the district's food services, highlighting achievements and future initiatives aimed at enhancing student nutrition and engagement.

The presentation, led by Grace Liss, the Director of Food Services, emphasized the team's commitment to providing high-quality, nutritious meals to students. Liss noted that the food service team operates independently, with revenues generated from meal sales covering operational costs. For the current school year, the district reported an average daily participation of 2,989 for breakfast and 14,958 for lunch, with lunch participation increasing by 200 meals per day compared to the previous year.

Key financial challenges were also addressed, including a rise in unpaid meal debt, which has reached over $210,000. The district is actively working to manage this debt through communication with families about their balances. On a positive note, the food service team has received over $17,000 in donations from the community, supporting their efforts to provide meals.

The report highlighted the importance of student feedback in menu development, with focus groups leading to the introduction of new items such as chicken dipping sauce and mini pancakes. The team has also reintroduced spice stations in schools, which had been popular before the pandemic.

In addition to menu innovations, the food service team is focused on staff development, providing over 3,000 hours of professional training this year. This investment aims to enhance service quality and ensure a positive dining experience for students.

Looking ahead, the food service team is preparing for upcoming changes in USDA nutrition standards, which will affect menu offerings for the 2025-2026 school year. These adjustments include changes to flavored milk and yogurt selections to meet new added sugar limits.

Overall, the SMSD food service team remains dedicated to fostering student health and well-being through nutritious meals and community engagement, ensuring that students are well-nourished and ready to learn.