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Committee recommends leasing former skating rink to expand summer meal-box production
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Summary
Child-nutrition staff told the committee the program could scale from 4,000 to 10,000 boxes weekly with partner parishes; members approved forwarding a $5,200/month lease recommendation to the full board for review.
A child-nutrition presenter described a plan to lease 1427 Linwood Drive (the former Opelousas skating rink) to increase summer meal-box production. The presenter said the district produced about 4,000 meal boxes per week last summer and that agreements with Saint Martin and Evangeline parishes could raise production toward 10,000 boxes weekly.
The presenter clarified lease terms during the meeting. "It is $5,200 a month and we would pay the utilities," the presenter said, correcting an earlier figure that had been cited at $6,500. She described a registration system, partner outreach and the goal of expanding capacity while maintaining the summer program's role in stabilizing the district's lunch fund.
Board members asked whether existing district buildings could be used and whether the cost was justified. One member noted that an $18,000 lease would be small compared with potential revenue from an expanded program; another asked about using district facilities but the presenter said the proposed leased facility offered space and layout the district did not have.
The committee moved the recommendation to the full board so the district can finalize lease details and confirm vendor or cooperative arrangements (the presenter also asked the committee to let the elementary child nutrition program piggyback on a cooperative RFP for August meals). The committee did not approve the lease itself at the meeting.
Next steps: the item will be advanced to the full board for approval of the lease terms and any necessary contract or cooperative-purchasing arrangements.
