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Massena Central School District’s food service program loses $85,000 in 2016-17 school year

Posted 7/7/17

By ANDY GARDNER MASSENA -- The Massena Central School District’s food service program lost about $85,000 in the 2016-17 school year, according to a school official. Food service program director …

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Massena Central School District’s food service program loses $85,000 in 2016-17 school year

Posted

By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The Massena Central School District’s food service program lost about $85,000 in the 2016-17 school year, according to a school official.

Food service program director Peter Bertrand told the board in addition to a decrease in state aid, students aren’t buying as many meals.

He said there are about 7 percent fewer pupils are buying school breakfast and 5 percent fewer are buying lunch.

They made employee cuts in food service, saving about $14,000 in payroll expenses, but health insurance went up.

He said looking forward, they are trying to buy more foods that students like. He cited as an example white pasta for spaghetti instead of whole wheat.

“Our goal for next year is to continue to promote eating in the cafeteria. We plan to search for new items of interest,” Bertrand said.

They will also charge slightly more for lunch - 10 cents more - which will mean $2.25 for elementary meals and $2.35 at the junior high and high school. That’s to cover the cost of producing the meal. Breakfast and reduced lunch prices will stay the same.

They will also have a farm-to-school program next year through a state grant. Students as part of their lessons will be able to help grow produce in school, and it will be harvested and served as part of their meals.

“The thought is if the students see and grow their own produce, they’ll acquire taste for those items,” Bertrand said.

He also pointed out that student debt is an obstacle to the meal program budget, but they were able to decrease the outstanding balance by a little under half, from $22,000 to $13,000. He told the board they started doing emails and robocalls to parents when a student starts racking up too much meal debt.

Trustee Kevin Peretta asked if the school’s enrollment decrease could have a negative impact on the meal program.

“Enrollment decrease, which we’ve seen over the course of this year, approximately 50 students … and 300 over five years, is a role. Part of it is participation,” Superintendent Patrick Brady answered.