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Board renews Chartwells contract and approves 25¢ student meal increase; staff to report on local sourcing
Summary
The Snohomish School District approved a one-year renewal with Chartwells for 2025–26 and a 25¢ increase to student meal prices effective Sept. 1, 2025. Board members asked staff for a report on how much food is Washington-grown and raised questions about recent USDA nutrition changes.
The Snohomish School District Board of Directors voted April 30 to renew its agreement with Compass Group USA, doing business as Chartwells, for the 2025–26 school year and separately approved a 25¢ increase in student meal prices effective Sept. 1, 2025.
Board members framed the price change as a modest, interim step after three years without an increase. A board member said the smaller raise aims to avoid a larger bump later.
District food-services staff discussed local sourcing and recent federal nutritional guidance. Marty, a district food-services staff member, said Chartwells “does purchase some locally, probably not as much,” and noted Chartwells orders produce through Charlie’s Produce. Marty offered to provide a report showing Washington-grown items versus others on request. Tom, another staff member, summarized recent federal changes: “Currently, the only … changes that the USDA is making is in regards to sugar. That’s on very limited items and that would be liquid milk, cereal, [and] yogurt.”
Discussion also touched on past local sourcing efforts and student preferences: staff recalled a taste test in which students preferred commodity beef patties to locally sourced beef patties, which influenced purchasing choices.
During the meeting a Chartwells associate’s homemade banana-bread muffin recipe — developed at Valley View Middle School by an associate named Trent — was described as an example of locally produced items the district now serves. Marty said the district submitted the recipe for national vetting and that it is now available across the Chartwells network.
Both motions (the Chartwells renewal and the meal-price increase) were moved and seconded and adopted by voice vote. The record does not include a roll-call tally. District staff said they will provide the board with a report on local vs. nonlocal produce upon request.
What the board approved
- Renewal of the Chartwells food-service agreement for the 2025–26 school year (motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote).
- A districtwide student-meal price increase of 25¢, effective Sept. 1, 2025 (motion moved and seconded; approved by voice vote).
What remains to be provided
District staff agreed to supply a sourcing report that would show what produce is Washington-grown and what is sourced from outside the state. No dollar value or line-item details of the Chartwells contract were discussed in the meeting record.
