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Board approves multiple school nutrition contracts totaling millions for FY 2026
Summary
At the July 17 meeting the board approved a series of School Nutrition procurements — food, produce, paper, chemicals, branded pizza program and temporary staffing — that together authorize multi-million-dollar purchase orders for FY 2026 funded from the School Nutrition budget.
The Bibb County Board of Education approved multiple School Nutrition purchase authorities on July 17 that together allocate several million dollars in FY 2026 spending from the district’s School Nutrition budget.
Procurement items approved include: a school nutrition food contract with Gordon Food Service (not to exceed $7,150,000); produce awards split between Common Market ($500,000) and What Chef Wants ($900,000) for a combined $1,400,000; a School Nutrition paper contract with Southeastern Paper Group (not to exceed $1,400,000); chemical supplies on an as-needed basis (not to exceed $150,000); SmartMouth Pizza branded program (blanket purchase order not to exceed $950,000); and temporary staffing renewals (OpenWorks $125,000 and Qualified Staffing $300,000; total $425,000). All of these were described as funded from the School Nutrition fund and were placed on the consent agenda after unanimous board approval.
Presenter Dr. Wilson Beverly told trustees the paper and chemical line items were separated this year so the district could track chemical spending separately; last year those costs were bid together with other products. Board members asked whether any of the nutrition spending was affected by the federal grant freeze; Dr. Beverly and Superintendent Dr. Sams said school-meal operations and most nutrition lines are not impacted by the funds currently being withheld, though some equipment grants and specific local food grants had been affected.
During discussion trustees noted rising costs for paper and disposable serving products compared with prior years and that produce and food contract totals had increased compared with FY 2024–25, partly because certain federal grant support for local food initiatives had been cut. The items will allow kitchens to stock supplies, purchase fresh produce and continue meal service meeting USDA nutrition standards, and in some cases to provide branded pizza equipment, training and menu items that the vendor supplies.
All motions were approved unanimously and moved to the consent agenda.
