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Food service reports participation gains; district to run five-day summer meal pickups
Summary
Nutrition staff reported roughly 90 more breakfasts and 65 more lunches served daily this year, higher adult-cart sales and a plan for five-day summer meal pick-ups at elementary schools; the draft food-service budget assumes modest enrollment decline and highlights labor and food as the main cost drivers.
The Pencrest School District’s nutrition team on April 14 reported higher student participation and outlined budget assumptions for next year while proposing expanded summer feeding.
Katie Baldwin, regional manager for nutrition, and Nicole, the district’s director of food nutrition, said the district is serving about 90 more breakfasts and 65 more lunches per day compared with last year, with cart sales up roughly $100 per day. They credited local partnerships (including donated beef from a local farm for a special Smashburger event) and targeted promotions for the increase. "This year alone, we are serving roughly 90 more breakfasts a day and roughly 65 more lunches on every single day," Baldwin said.
The presenters described the draft food-service budget for 2026–27 as conservative: it assumes a 2.5% decline in enrollment and includes modest cushions for anticipated cost increases tied to potential federal dietary-guideline changes. Labor comprises about 52% of food-service expenses, while food makes up about 38% of the budget. Baldwin noted an estimated $50,000–$60,000 in USDA commodities not yet included in the budget-credit calculation, which could reduce net food costs.
To address summer hunger and support families, the district plans a five-day meal pickup at all elementary schools this summer. Baldwin said the program will allow families to pick up a week’s worth of meals for their children and that details will be released to the community.
Board members asked about cafeteria workforce turnover and possible revenue-generating services such as meal preparation for homebound seniors. Baldwin said turnover is not unusually high and that she would investigate federal restrictions and feasibility for additional meal services.
The food-service management contract for 2026–27 was included on the finance consent agenda for approval; the board approved finance items excluding the CTC budget, allowing food-service items to proceed pending final action.
