Christine Leal, the district's food service director, told the Finance & Facilities committee on Dec. 17 that breakfast participation has climbed to about 19.6% districtwide — up from 9% in 2018 — with some elementary schools reaching roughly 30%. Lunch participation, she said, is about 63% across the district, with double‑digit increases at the middle and high schools.

Leal said the department has tested menu changes and outreach efforts — including “hot chocolate every Thursday morning” and more kid‑friendly offerings — to attract students. “We've done really good,” she said, adding the district’s move to universal free meals and its Community Eligibility Provision status have supported the gains.

Leal also reviewed two state reviews earlier this fall: a procurement review covering July invoices and an administrative on‑site review Dec. 8–10 that examined production records, meal patterns, safety logs and training. The procurement review found a small number of off‑bid purchases (paper bags); the administrative review returned four findings that Leal said are being addressed, including updating the meal modification form, adding a water station at Hannah Elementary and revising the district wellness policy. Leal described the overall results as positive and credited her team’s documentation.

On capital needs she told the committee the food program is self‑supporting and uses the revolving account to fund equipment and repairs. Planned purchases include replacement walk‑in refrigerators and freezers at Centerville and Hannah schools (targeted for February break and next summer) and a new serving line at Hannah. Leal said allowable uses are prescribed by USDA rules and funds must be reinvested in the nutrition program.

Emma Pugliese, the district finance director, confirmed the department is on budget for most repairs and said much work is done with district and city labor to control costs. The committee did not take a vote on program policy changes at the meeting; Leal said updates to the wellness policy will come to the school committee for approval.

The committee requested follow‑up information on year‑over‑year participation and the impact of share tables and back‑of‑house composting at middle and high schools. Leal said the middle and high schools compost back‑of‑house food twice weekly and deliver surplus to local partners such as Beverly Bootstraps.