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Board approves Organic Life food-service contract and raises student meal prices modestly
Summary
District 59 approved a new food-service contract with Organic Life and set student lunch at $3.55 and breakfast at $1.30 for 2026–27. Cabinet members said the district used a quality-based procurement process and will hold parent tasting and focus-group sessions to guide menus.
The board approved the district's food-service contract for the coming school year and adopted a modest increase in student meal prices: lunch will be set at $3.55 and breakfast at $1.30, with reduced-price levels noted in the district resolution.
Lisa Higgins, district manager for Organic Life, addressed the board during public comment and thanked the district for the partnership, noting the company employs 54 food-service professionals in district buildings. Administrators said they used a quality-based selection process rather than choosing strictly on price and that they have scheduled parent and guardian tastings and focus groups to provide menu feedback.
Board members asked about the statutory minimums that drive incremental price changes and noted the district has discretion to increase fees beyond the required minimum (often a 10-cent annual adjustment). Administrators said they have tried to keep prices low but may need to consider additional revenue sources in coming years.
Why it matters: the contract affects daily meals for students across the district and the fee decision affects families who pay full price. Administrators emphasized that grant support and free/reduced-price programs protect meal access for eligible students.
Next steps: the food-service contract takes effect for the next school year and staff will run the parent tasting/focus-group sessions and report back to the board as needed.
