Clay County opens two bids for multi-facility food services; staff to review proposals and return with recommendation

Clay County staff opened two responses to a public RFP for food services serving three county-operated facilities and told the board they will return with a recommendation after staff review.

Procurement context: The RFP covers meal services for the county jail, the West Central Regional Juvenile Center and the withdrawal/detox facility. Staff noted the procurement must meet multiple regulatory standards and nutritional requirements (Department of Corrections, Minnesota Department of Education, USDA) and described the multi-facility contract as operationally complex.

Bids announced (average per-meal prices based on anticipated average daily populations): - Trinity Food Services: approximately $2.67 per meal for the jail, $3.31 per meal for the juvenile center, and $2.67 per meal for detox. - Summit Correctional Services (listed in transcript as Summit/Summit Correctional Services): approximately $3.86 per meal for the jail and $5.20 per meal for both the adolescent and detox populations.

Staff comment and next steps: James (county staff overseeing the procurement) said the proposals must be reviewed to ensure they meet licensing, menu planning, staffing models and other specifications and that the team's goal is to return next week with an informed recommendation and, if appropriate, an award recommendation to the board.

Why it matters: Food services are operationally significant across multiple county facilities and contract pricing and quality affect cost, compliance and the day-to-day welfare of people in county custody or care.

What happens next: Staff will evaluate the submissions against RFP specifications and regulatory requirements and present a recommendation to the commission, expected at the next meeting.

Source: Clay County Board of Commissioners meeting, Jan. 6, 2026; public RFP opening and staff statements.