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Sodexo reports higher participation and new equipment grant; district thanks donors for covering meal debt
Summary
Sodexo and district staff said breakfast participation is up 17% after menu changes and a new DESE grant of $25,000 funded an outdoor freezer; the board also acknowledged donations to cover student meal debt.
District staff and contracted food‑service representatives updated the board on student nutrition participation, equipment investments and community donations.
Morgan Jones of Sodexo said district meal participation has rebounded after a 2024 dip and that breakfast participation at the secondary level is up 17% this year; cart (ala‑carte) sales are at the highest level in three years. Jones credited menu adjustments and new service models — including a reimbursable "Second Chance Breakfast" program that lets students pick up a to‑go breakfast between first and second periods — for the gains.
A DESE grant of $25,000 was awarded to fund an outdoor freezer that increased storage capacity at the elementary site and allowed the district to convert an indoor freezer to cooler space; staff said that eased storage constraints. District and food‑service staff also described recent student meal debt relief: Valley Ambulance District donated $1,500 and the Masonic Home chapter donated $2,700, both earmarked to reduce negative lunch balances.
Board members praised the Future Chefs competition and the emerging food‑service investments; staff said they plan additional menu rollouts and equipment investments in January with other vendor changes at the high school.
Attribution: Morgan Jones (Sodexo) and food‑service staff presented counts, grant amounts and program details during the meeting.
