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District 58 to issue RFP for single food‑service vendor as kitchen‑equipment grant offsets costs
Summary
The board was told the district will seek one vendor to provide hot meals K–8, supported by kitchen‑equipment purchases this summer; a state representative grant was said to substantially reduce equipment costs and the board expects a vendor recommendation by May or June.
District officials told the board on Feb. 9 they will issue a request for proposals to procure a single food‑service vendor to provide hot meals to K–8 students and that recent grant funding will substantially offset kitchen‑equipment costs needed to expand service.
CSBO Dr. Harris said the district previously operated separate vendor arrangements for middle and elementary schools and is now seeking a single vendor to run a consolidated program. "We are going out for an RFP," Harris said, adding that equipment purchases are included in the construction consent agenda and that the district expects to bring a vendor recommendation to the board in May or June.
Superintendent Dr. Russell said the district received a grant from a state representative that "really, really does help us out" and will nearly erase the equipment costs for elementary kitchens. Staff said kitchen work was completed at phase‑2 schools last summer and the plan is to complete kitchen installations at phase‑1 and phase‑3 elementary schools this coming summer, with the middle schools serving as meal hubs and elementary sites using warmers and finishing equipment.
Dr. Harris said the RFP will reflect the board's vision of hot meals for all K–8 students and will seek one vendor to provide centralized preparation and distribution, with preordering to reduce waste at elementary sites. The board heard the plan as informational; staff will return with contract recommendations after the RFP and vendor evaluation process.
