The Dodge County Human Services and Health Committee voted to accept the sole bid for the senior dining and home-delivered meals contract from Atlantic Valley Foods after a public presentation and question-and-answer session with the company.

Brian Murray, vice president of Atlantic Valley Foods, and Todd White, general manager, described the company’s experience operating senior-nutrition routes in other Wisconsin counties and its logistics and vendor relationships. Murray said Atlantic Valley handles about 137,000 meals a year through accounts in nearby counties and runs multiple routes; the company operates from Cottage Grove and maintains a satellite location as needed.

Committee members asked about delivery timing, quality control, staffing and feedback channels. Murray said Atlantic Valley conducts dry runs before launching a route, checks temperatures and coordinates with site contacts, and maintains backup routes and staffing so deliveries are not missed. For the Dodge County contract the company estimated three drivers for routes that require prepackaged individual meals, one additional prep position and management oversight; it also reported current staff of six to seven serving similar programs elsewhere.

Murray described vendor relationships (Sysco, Gordon Foodservice and several local suppliers) and the company’s practice of donating surplus chilled food to community food banks; he said Atlantic Valley contributed large donations last year to River Food Pantry in Dane County.

The committee made a motion to accept the bid; Supervisor Durr moved to accept and Mary Rosecki seconded. The committee approved the motion by voice vote. The county noted Atlantic Valley was the only bidder received through procurement.

No formal contract terms (price, effective date) were discussed on the record during the meeting; staff said procurement documents and the company’s bid are in the meeting packet and follow-up procurement paperwork will be completed before the contract begins.