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Supervisor presents Nutrition Services report; district served 277,916 reimbursable lunches this year
Summary
Jacob Green, Supervisor of Nutrition Services, told the board the district served 277,916 reimbursable lunches and 49,532 breakfasts, outlined federal nutrition-rule changes, described a summer EBT one-time $120 benefit for eligible children, noted composting pilots and vendor partnerships, and said staff shortages and possible meal-price increases are under review.
Jacob Green, Supervisor of Nutrition Services for Lakewood City Schools, told the board on June 15 that the district served 277,916 reimbursable lunches and 49,532 reimbursable breakfasts during the past school year.
Green said the district participates in the National School Lunch Program and follows its meal-pattern rules. He told trustees the federal program is implementing additional limits on added sugar and lower sodium targets, and the district is working to adapt menus to meet those standards.
Green described the district’s application process for free and reduced-price meals, encouraging online applications through PaySchools while noting paper forms remain available. He also described a permanent summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) program that issues a one-time $120 benefit per eligible child; the district submits eligible-student files for distribution.
The presentation highlighted local partnerships and sustainability work: a farm-to-school collaboration to introduce students to fresh, local foods and a composting pilot with Rust Belt Riders at Grant and Hayes elementary schools (the high school uses a reusable-tray dish room). Green said participating schools have training and lunch-monitor support to reduce contamination of compost streams.
On finances, Green said Lakewood’s current meal prices are about $2.50 for elementary lunches and $3.00 for middle and high schools, below neighboring districts’ medians. Rising food and labor costs prompted discussion of a possible price adjustment for next school year; no final decision was made.
Green said staffing for food service remains a challenge because many positions are short daytime shifts and compensation lags other districts. He described a new substitute-provider pilot (Brightbee) that increased coverage for daily gaps and said additional staffing options are under review.
Board members asked about participation trends and compliance with composting. Green said lunch participation is roughly half of enrolled students on a typical day and that free-and-reduced participation has been “fairly similar” year to year. He emphasized the district’s aim to increase breakfast participation through menu development and outreach.
The board did not take action during the report. Trustees thanked Green for the update and asked staff to return with further analysis on meal pricing and participation strategies.
