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Craven County Board approves new food bids after year‑long rebid of school meals
Summary
The board unanimously approved line‑by‑line awards for SY 2026–27 food, produce and supplies after School Nutrition Director Lauren Wayne recounted operational challenges managing a flooded warehouse and 74 competitive bids that produced an estimated $2.6 million in awards and projected delivery fee savings.
The Craven County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the district’s SY 2026–27 food, produce and supply bids after a presentation from School Nutrition Director Lauren Wayne.
Wayne told the board the district left a large cooperative purchasing alliance and performed a line‑by‑line rebid this year, receiving 74 separate manufacturer bids across more than 500 items. She described an emergency operational period after a warehouse flood and detailed the logistics of receiving and distributing far larger shipments than staff expected.
"Imagine bringing in millions of dollars of food in here with two employees working in the warehouse at this time," Wayne said, describing staff unpacking pallets by hand and restocking freezers. She said the process was undertaken to avoid projected escalation in distributor delivery fees and that the district expects to save about $370,000 compared with continuing prior distributor arrangements.
Board members praised the nutrition staff’s work and asked procedural questions about USDA reimbursements and warehouse conditions. Miss Patty Mason moved to approve the bids as presented; Miss Gibbs seconded. The board voted in favor by voice and the motion carried unanimously.
According to Wayne’s summary, the district’s food purchasing plan for next year includes multiple manufacturers (including Southeastern Paper Company and regional produce and snack suppliers) and anticipates commercial food costs and awards totaling roughly $2.6 million for the lot of items she presented. Wayne said supplies and produce used a winner‑takes‑all approach for the lowest responsive bidder on those tabs, while the commercial food awards were made line by line to multiple vendors.
The approved bid bundle also funds operational steps the nutrition program has already taken, including installation of a large freezer and hiring temporary warehouse help. Wayne said USDA reimbursements arrive on the 10th day of the month following service and that projected USDA reimbursement revenues are on track to meet projections.
The board’s approval authorizes district staff to finalize vendor awards and proceed with vendor onboarding and delivery scheduling for the upcoming school year.
