Cafeteria operating at a loss; district, Sodexo to meet on boosting participation; food truck in limited use

District officials reported that the school cafeteria program is operating at a loss and that the district will meet with Sodexo's regional management to discuss strategies to increase participation and revenue.

District staff said they and RJ will meet the Sodexo regional manager the first week in March to discuss approaches including increasing breakfast participation, adding more appealing meal choices and exploring prepacked protein options for student athletes and after-school populations. Board members noted long after-school hours for some students (for example, athletes who may not get home until evening) and asked whether prepackaged, refrigerated options might be made available for purchase.

Staff cautioned that reimbursable meals under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) require a point-of-sale and distribution at approved building locations; the district had been cited for distributing breakfast in nonapproved locations (the foyer). Staff said they will ask Sodexo about operational options that comply with NSLP rules and whether new offerings would require separate program application or could be offered as paid items.

The district's food truck is operating and has been used at schools and events; staff said the fryer must be removed to meet NSLP regulations if the truck is to be used for reimbursable meals, though the truck could still be used for vending or special events once it is modified. The culinary program is separate from the cafeteria operations and continues to participate independently.

Erica told the board: "We're trending the exact same way we were trending last month," describing the cafeteria financial situation, and said the Sodexo meeting would bring suggested strategies back to the district. Staff will report results of the March meeting and any program changes to the board.