Farmington board reviews pizza contract bids and plans Hillside serving-line replacement

At the May 20 Farmington Public Schools Board of Education meeting, district nutrition staff reviewed bids for the 2025–26 pizza contract and presented a proposal to replace the serving line at Hillside Elementary.

The review of pizza bids noted four vendors submitted proposals: Cottage Inn, Domino's, Jet's Pizza and Little Caesar's. Pricing submitted ranged from about $0.88 per slice to roughly $1.02 per slice. District staff conducted a blind taste test at North Farmington involving about 15 students and several board members; the deep-dish Jet's Pizza placed first in the tasting but was also the most expensive (about $1.02 per slice), while Little Caesar's whole-crust option scored well and quoted roughly $0.91 per slice. Staff said only three vendors submitted whole-grain-crust pricing.

Nutrition staff told the board the bid was structured to meet federal school nutrition guidelines while reflecting student preferences. Staff recommended awarding to two vendors and rotating which vendor serves each building (for example, alternating Jet's and Little Caesar's by week) so students have choice and the district can manage volume. The district also described the possibility of expanding pizza days beyond middle and high schools to K–12, but said that would be piloted first because elementary lunch periods are shorter and throughput is a concern.

On the serving-line item, staff presented a quote obtained through an existing Oakland Schools consortium bid. The recommended vendor, Stafford Smith, proposed a double hot-well serving line with a fruit-and-vegetable cold bar, serving counters and cashier station. The quoted price to deliver and remove existing equipment was $75,630. Staff said the work would be paid for from the Nutrition Services Fund, the quote is valid through June 13, and delivery is expected in the fall with installation completed ahead of the school year (staff estimated students would be served from the new line by September after a brief electrical/plumbing hookup).

Board members thanked students for participating in the taste test and raised operational questions. Board President Weems said student voice on meal choices was important. Board member Heinrich asked staff to pilot pizza in elementary settings before expanding K–12, citing concerns about meal-line throughput and short elementary lunch periods. No formal board action was taken; both items were presented as discussion items and will return to the board for formal approval with final contract and installation timelines.

Clarifying details: staff said four vendors submitted bids for pizza; three submitted whole-grain pricing; taste test included about 15 students; Jet's Pizza placed first in taste but was described as “a lot” (deep-dish) and potentially unsuitable for weekly service; Hillside serving-line quote is $75,630 and will be funded from the Nutrition Services Fund; the quote is valid through June 13 and delivery is expected in the fall.