Nutrition Group and district present food‑service gains, budget projects $65,000 guarantee and equipment upgrades

At the finance committee, Kate Rittler, the district’s food‑service director, and Nutrition Group regional manager Logan Myers reviewed student engagement programs, participation trends and the proposed food‑service budget for the coming school year.

Rittler described programming highlights — a themed "Nutrition Expedition" that introduces students to a different country each month, hands‑on lessons in the high‑school food‑service classroom and student advisory meetings to guide menu choices. Myers said participation and reimbursements are trending up and that careful menu planning and purchasing helped hold annual food‑cost increases near 1.79% for the current year; the draft budget assumes a 4% food‑cost planning allowance and a 5% labor increase tied to contract terms.

Budget bottom line: staff said they can confidently project a $65,000 guaranteed profit for the food‑service account next year, while noting current openings and one potential retirement that would affect benefits budgeting. The business office previously approved about $207,000 in food‑service equipment purchases; presenters said a new dishwasher at NPA was installed over spring break and additional equipment pre‑specs are being reviewed.

Trustees thanked staff for student engagement programming and asked about priority equipment needs; Rittler highlighted replacing the high‑school salad bar and some serving line warmers as near‑term needs. Administration and procurement staff said the food‑service management renewal documents were submitted to PDE and approved on March 30.

Provenance: transcript segments covering the food‑service presentation and Q&A.