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Food-service contractor reports higher participation, outlines inventory and cost-control steps
Summary
John Joyner of SFE told the Joseph City Unified District board that breakfast and lunch participation are up; he recommended continuing the elementary Breakfast-in-Class program, reported operational struggles and proposed an inventory-driven plan to reduce outside food purchases.
John Joyner, a representative of SFE, told the Joseph City Unified District board that student participation in school meals has increased and outlined steps to bring the food service budget closer to break-even.
"We now have the support of the principal and the teachers at the elementary school," Joyner said, recommending that the district continue the breakfast-in-class (BIC) program at the elementary level and keep a grab-and-go model at the high school. He said changes in USDA guidance that allow Medicaid as a qualifier for free and reduced-price meal considerations make the BIC program feasible.
Joyner acknowledged operational challenges. He said the program finished last year with about $39,000 in [net shortfall] and projected the end of this year could be around $69,000 without corrective action. He said breakfast participation was up "871" compared with the previous year and lunches were also higher on the day of the meeting. To control costs, Joyner said staff would complete a full inventory and prioritize using on-hand products in menus to reduce purchases from Sysco.
Board members and staff asked questions about staffing, enrollment impacts and next steps. The superintendent and staff agreed to monitor food costs and support inventory and menu changes. Joyner said he would dedicate more time to resolve issues and work with Marissa and Tiara (staff) on inventory and controls.
No formal board action beyond discussion was recorded; the board noted it would monitor the program closely.
