Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Food Service topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Milford school food service reports $222,899 loss; board re‑certifies Healthy Food program and allows after‑hours sales
Summary
Milford Board heard a revised food-service financial report that corrected a December labor error and shows a $222,899 loss; the board unanimously renewed the Healthy Food Certification for 2026–2027 and separately approved limited exemptions allowing sales of non-compliant items at after-school/weekend events.
At its April 13 meeting the Milford Board of Education received a revised food-service financial report and approved two nutrition-related motions.
Ms. Foster, who presented the food-service report, said staff corrected a December payroll input error that raised labor for that month to $130,554 (previously reported as about $63,000) and that the program is currently showing a year-to-date loss of $222,899. "We are a self-supported program…right now we have a loss we're showing a loss of $222,899," she told the board, explaining the district relies primarily on federal reimbursement, state grants and meal payments. Ms. Foster said she expects some state reimbursements and grants in the coming months that should improve the year-end position.
Board members asked about the program’s fund balance and equipment purchases; Ms. Foster said the program maintains roughly three months of operating expenses and remains cautious about large capital purchases until funding is clear. Ms. Adams described state-funded local food grants the district uses to buy Connecticut-grown produce and noted some grants reimburse 100 percent for qualifying purchases.
Board members also noted participation figures: Ms. Foster reported about 262,000 lunches and 61,000 breakfasts served year to date, and said participation would likely rise if universal free breakfast were funded.
On policy, the board voted unanimously to certify participation in the Connecticut Healthy Food Certification under Connecticut General Statute Section 10-215f for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The certification applies to food sold separately from reimbursable meals and includes school stores, vending and fundraising on school premises. Separately, the board unanimously approved limited exemptions to allow the sale of food and beverages that do not meet the state nutrition standards when sales occur after the regular school day or on weekends at event locations (for example, soccer games or school plays). Both motions were seconded and carried without recorded opposition.
The board asked staff to continue monitoring the program and to pursue state funding opportunities that could expand free breakfast to more students if lawmakers provide support.
