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District unveils new blast freezer, mobile feeding unit grant and summer feeding purchase order
Summary
Staff described a new blast freezer purchase funded by a National School Lunch Program grant, a No Kid Hungry grant for a second mobile feeding unit, and summer feeding logistics; the board approved a purchase order over $10,000 for summer feeding supplies.
Page County Public Schools staff reported multiple nutritional services updates to the board, including a new blast freezer, use of grants to expand summer feeding capabilities, and a purchase order for the summer feeding program.
Dr. Johnson (human resources and business operations) and nutritional‑services staff told the board the new blast freezer was installed March 31 and was fully funded by a National School Lunch Program grant, so it was purchased at no cost to the division. The freezer is located at Luray High School and will allow the district to centralize batch‑cooked items (for example, lasagna) so they can be produced consistently and distributed to multiple schools.
Staff said the blast freezer will also let the division freeze locally purchased fruits and vegetables at peak ripeness for use during the school year and to support expanded scratch‑cooking. The division has already been operating summer feeding out of one high school and will use the new equipment to support that work.
Staff also reported the district received a No Kid Hungry grant to buy equipment for a second mobile feeding unit, including a generator, refrigeration unit, hot holding cabinet and a vehicle wrap. That second mobile unit will complement the existing summer feeding vehicle the division uses and will be retrofitted by maintenance staff.
Finance staff presented a single purchase order over $10,000 submitted by nutritional services for summer feeding supplies; the board approved that purchase order during the meeting. The purchase order was described in the packet as being for the summer feeding program; staff noted they will provide samples to board members when available.
Transportation and nutritional staff earlier showed the board photos and highlights from the first annual bus rodeo, a skills and morale event for bus drivers held at Shenandoah Speedway. Staff said the rodeo included driving skills competitions, a blindfolded directional challenge for golf carts, and community judges; staff characterized the event as positive for driver morale and teamwork.
