Food service director Chris Miller details farm-to-school challenges, backpack program and rising food costs

Chris Miller, the district's food service lead, told the Delaware Academy Central School District at Delhi board that the food-service department has shifted menu and outreach strategies after the district achieved "C" status, which now provides free breakfast and lunch to all students from pre-K through grade 12.

"We are finally a C school," Miller said, and added that the district has seen participation—and reimbursement—jump over the last three years. Miller said the district now serves roughly 250'75 breakfasts daily across the buildings.

Why it matters: higher participation raises state and federal reimbursements but also increases food purchasing needs during a period of sharply rising supply costs. Miller told the board she spends roughly $7,000 on food orders in a typical week and that some supplies (for example, a 5-gallon bucket of dishwasher liquid) have risen to about $150.

Miller described an emerging partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Delaware County team and local farmers to pilot farm-to-school offerings. She said Desiree Kever from Cooperative Extension provided taste samples to elementary students and that the district plans more trials in summer and the 2026—27 school year. But she cautioned that local sourcing creates logistical burdens: New York-grown or processed products cost more, require careful documentation for incentives (the state's "30%" procurement initiative), and can raise food-safety questions that require GAP or similar certification.

"A big cost of this 30% is our milk," Miller said, explaining that purchases certified as New York product must meet processing rules and that some statewide supply shifts (for example, milk sourced out of state) remove items from the 30% calculation.

Miller also described the district's backpack weekend-food program, which she said currently serves 28 students with grant and donation support. "Each backpack is worth $6," she said, and the items are packed to provide two breakfasts, three lunches, a grain, a fruit, a vegetable and a snack, and are distributed on Thursdays so students have food over the weekend. When families need more help, she said, staff refer them to United Ministries or Delaware Opportunities.

On meal rules and portioning, Miller reminded the board that federal and state reimbursable-meal definitions require students to take three of five components for lunch—with at least one fruit or vegetable—and that high-school portions must meet certain cup measures. Miller described the district's "giving account," which covers additional meals for students with insufficient funds.

Board members and staff also discussed quality upgrades the district is buying now that the cafeteria fund shows an operating surplus: some chicken products have been replaced by higher-quality boneless wings, and staff have broadened specialty daily options in the high school. Miller said the cafeteria fund is projected to end the year with approximately $235,240 even after planned furniture purchases.

The board thanked Miller for the presentation and moved on to the remainder of its agenda.