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Board approves Taher Inc. as new food-service provider for 2025–26
Summary
After review of four bids and an independent evaluation, the board approved a cost-reimbursement contract with Taher Inc. for the 2025–26 school year with option to renew for up to four additional years; transition teams from Taher introduced themselves to the board.
The Fairmont Area School District board voted May 13 to approve a food-service agreement with Taher Inc. for the 2025–26 school year, following a competitive request-for-proposals process.
District staff said four vendors submitted proposals: Compass Group USA (Chartwells division), the incumbent Lunchtime Solutions, Taher Inc., and SF LLC. An independent evaluation used a 100-point rubric (30 points for price; 70 points for program and operations) and recommended Taher Inc. The recommended contract is structured as cost reimbursement plus a fixed administrative fee, with the option to renew for up to four additional years and an annual maximum increase limited to the Consumer Price Index. The Minnesota Department of Education reviewed and approved the proposed contract on May 5, as required.
A motion to approve the 2025–26 food-service agreement with Taher was made and passed by voice vote. Taher representatives introduced themselves for the record: Chris Vincent, vice president of business development; Jerry Crater, vice president of operations; Abby Grove, district manager; and Terry Jesperson, transition specialist. Taher said it will assign a local transition team and begin planning the vendor changeover; the board thanked the outgoing vendor for years of service.
The board also noted procurement and equipment items elsewhere in the packet, including an April 22 check to CDW Government for $104,980 to purchase Chromebooks for the next school year.
No public protest or formal bid protest was recorded in the minutes included in the meeting packet; staff indicated the operations committee reviewed bid evaluations on May 2 and recommended the contract award to the full board.
