Schools eye alternative lunch program

Shrewsbury - In an effort to cut costs and increase revenue, the Shrewsbury Public Schools Food Service Department is looking into alternative methods of providing school lunches.

    In a presentation before the School Committee May 13, Food Service Director Beth Nichols said she was hoping to pilot a Preferred Meal System or similar program at both Spring and Paton elementary schools by the end of the school year.

    The new program would allow the schools to purchase individually portioned packaged meals rather than buying in bulk as they do now. Nichols said the individual portions would result in less preparation and clean-up time and would allow students to self-serve, both of which would allow the department to significantly reduce the number of labor hours while resulting in less waste.

    “Boston has [implemented a similar program] and has saved millions of dollars,” she told committee members.

    Going to an individual portioned program would result in the lay-off of two staff members and a significant reduction in hours to seven additional staff, a move that would eliminate their health insurance coverage.

    The program would also provide all paper goods, pans to cook meals, and necessary equipment. Nichols said implementing a Preferred Meal System or similar program would transform the Food Service Department from one that cost the schools close to $50,000 in fiscal year 2009 to one that generates an estimated $100,000 in revenue per year.

    School officials said they were very open to trying a new program.

    “This is a plan that deserves to be tested to see how it plays out,” Superintendent Dr. Anthony Bent said.

    Nichols also told School Committee members that, in order to help families struggling in the tough economy, the Food Service Department would not seek an increase in school lunch prices. She said more people than ever have contacted her inquiring about the free and reduced lunch program, and she didn’t believe that families could take an additional hit this year.

    For the 2009-2010 school year, elementary school lunch will cost $2.75, middle school lunch will cost $3.00 and high school lunch will cost $3.25.