Parks and Recreation committee moves to consider summer meals contract with Akron Public Schools

The Parks and Recreation Committee on Monday approved a motion to suspend the rules so City Council can consider Ordinance No. 5, authorizing the mayor or a designee to contract with Akron Public Schools to provide meal preparation and delivery for the city’s annual summer food service program.

The program, run by the city with Akron Public Schools as the food-service provider, will operate June 9 through Aug. 1 and is open to all children 18 and younger. Britney, a city staff member who presented program details, said the program will operate at approximately 16 sites this year and that last year the program served more than 27,000 meals. She said meals are reimbursed through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Department of Education.

The resolution to suspend the rules cleared the committee after a motion and second and a voice vote in favor. Committee members discussed program logistics during the presentation. Robert Dowdell, who coordinates the program for the city, said the program tries to “cover all sectors” of the city; he told committee members the city ran 15 sites last year and plans 16 this summer with the possibility of adding one more. Councilman Hanna asked about meal contents; Britney and another presenter said Akron Public Schools submits meal plans for state approval and that the meals are USDA-approved as nutritious and age-appropriate.

Committee members asked for the list of site locations in advance; the presenters said they would provide it. A previously used location, Wingfoot Church, remains on the list despite construction at a nearby reservoir, the presenters said.

With suspension of the rules approved, the ordinance can be considered by the full council that night, per remarks on the record.