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Board approves $400,000 increase to Gordon Foodservice expenditure for remainder of school year; plans larger 2025–26 budget
Summary
Food and Nutrition Services asked the school board to raise the district’s estimated expenditure with the North Florida buying group/Gordon Foodservice from $12.5 million to $12.9 million for the remainder of the 2024–25 school year; board approved the increase and a larger 2025–26 estimate to cover two new elementary schools.
The Marion County School Board voted 5-0 on May 27 to increase the district’s planned spending with the North Florida buying group — with Gordon Foodservice as a supporting vendor — to cover higher participation in federal meal programs and the opening of two new elementary schools.
District staff said the request raises the current fiscal-year expenditure estimate from $12,500,000 to $12,900,000 — a $400,000 increase for the remainder of the 2024–25 school year — to cover additional food and supply needs for summer feeding and final weeks of school. The district also proposed a projected expenditure of $13,900,000 for the 2025–26 school year to accommodate two new elementary campuses opening in the fall.
Director of Food and Nutrition Services told the board that higher student participation and demand for higher-quality food items drove the increase. Doctor Sarah James asked for clarification after a staff presenter misspoke about the figure; staff corrected the recorded increase to $400,000.
Board members approved the request without further amendment. District staff said approval will allow continued purchasing through the cooperative contract and ensure meals are supplied for summer feeding programs and the upcoming school year.
