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Aramark outlines menu changes, student surveys and contributions to cafeteria upgrades for Lorain City Schools
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Summary
Aramark told the Lorain City School Board it will fund cafeteria renovations and bus rewrapping, highlighted menu changes and a student survey of about 1,400 participants, and described plans for summer meal sites and student culinary programs.
Frank Korvatich, general manager for Aramark in Lorain City Schools, told the board on April 13 that the food-service contractor is rolling out menu changes, student-focused culinary opportunities and marketing upgrades across the district.
Korvatich said a student viewpoint survey—about 1,400 responses, roughly 24% of the student population—helped shape new offerings including ethnic entrees, a flavor station (salt-free mixes to add taste within federal sodium rules), monthly carving stations and occasional barbecue pop-ups. "We heard you," he said, describing menu trials such as a fresh-made cucumber pico de gallo and peri peri chicken.
The company also described workforce-education pilots: culinary students prepared pizzas and other meals as part of a plan to expand hands-on programs to more schools. Korvatich said Aramark has supported CareerTech initiatives and donated supplies (the presentation noted a $250 supply purchase from student-art sales and 5,000 donated pencils). He said Aramark is working with the district on a proposed refresh of select cafeterias and on rewrapping the district’s summer meal bus; Aramark will contribute toward the renovation and wrap costs.
Board members asked about sodium and federal nutrition rules; Korvatich explained the district cannot add salt directly because of federal guidelines, and the flavor station offers salt-free seasoning mixes. He also reported that the district currently participates in CEP (Community Eligibility Provision), which provides free meals for students and is funded by federal reimbursements.
The presentation included service metrics: from the 2021–22 school year through March 2025, Aramark said it served more than 95,000 dinners and roughly 2.6–2.7 breakfasts and about 3.1 lunches (numbers reported by the presenter). Korvatich said the vendor meets monthly with district staff to review participation and plans to coordinate summer meal sites at parks using the bus converted from an older school bus.
The board thanked Aramark after a short question-and-answer period; no formal action on the contract was taken during the presentation. The board later approved related operations agenda items during the consent/operations votes.
