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MSD Steuben County reviews food-service results, approves vendors for next year
Summary
The MSD Steuben County Board of Trustees heard an annual food service report showing steady free/reduced eligibility and lower participation this year, discussed summer feeding operations, and unanimously approved the district's food vendors for the coming year.
Miss Marshall, the district's food service representative, told the MSD Steuben County Board of Trustees on June 17 that 53% of students were eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the 2024'25 school year and that participation in the cafeteria fell compared with the previous year.
The report said the district served just over 77,000 breakfasts and a little more than 265,000 lunches this school year, a roughly 6% decrease for breakfast and an 11% decrease for lunch. Miss Marshall also said the federal reimbursement rate increased "11.11 cents more for breakfast" and 18 cents for lunches for eligible students, and that the district did not receive USDA supply-chain-assistance funds this year. The district continues to use government commodities to help offset rising food costs.
The report also described the district's summer meal service at Carlin Park, which offers daily breakfast and lunch through July 23, and noted that staff received required professional development. Miss Marshall said the district hopes to increase participation next year by offering more menu variety and by addressing staffing challenges.
After the report, the board considered a motion to approve the district's primary food vendors for the upcoming year: Gordon's Food Service for groceries, Alpha Bakery for bread, and Prairie Farms for milk. The motion passed unanimously, with the board voting 7-0 to approve those vendors.
Board members asked a few clarifying questions about summer meal participation and ages served; Miss Marshall said the summer program typically serves elementary and early middle-school students and that the district had record numbers during the summer-school period, reporting "we served over 250" on peak days. She also said the summer backpack program that supplies weekend food is not operated by food service.
