Students at Naperville District 203 will have a new breakfast and lunch provider next year after the school board’s approval this week of a new contract with OrganicLife.
The district has been using Aramak for the last eight years as their meal supplier.
Every year school districts either renew their supplier’s contract or seek bids for food service, according to school documents. After four renewals, or five years under the same contract, districts are required to seek bids.
District 203 completed five years using Aramark in spring 2020 and were preparing to go out to bid when the COVID-19 pandemic started. Emergency declarations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Illinois State Board of Education allowed Aramark’s contract to be extended for the past three school years.
Earlier this year, the district solicited 14 food service vendors and four opted to bid on the contract. OrganicLife met all the district’s criteria and submitted the lowest bid at $4.5 million.
Aramark was the highest bidder and offered to provide the service for a little more than $4.9 million, officials said.
“Price must be the primary factor for this contract award,” district Superintendent Dan Bridges said.
Other nearby school districts, including Indian Prairie School District 204, Wheaton-Warrenville School District 200 and St. Charles School District 303, use OrganicLife, Bridges said. The district reached out to various school districts for their references and the reviews were positive, he said.
Board member Donna Wandke said she is interested in receiving student feedback on the new provider over the course of the school year.
Among some of the changes that the new company will be enacting is the use of recyclable or compostable plates, bowls, utensils and other items and serving enhanced chicken products.
OrganicLife, which began as a niche healthy school lunch company, bills itself as the leading food service provider of healthy lunches in Illinois. The company says on its website that it focuses on whole grains, fruits, vegetables and proper balance and uses fresh, not frozen, foods.
Sample menu items include all-natural crispy chicken nuggets, whole grain penne pasta, all-natural beef hot dogs, and slow roasted turkey and gravy along with whole grain bread, celery or carrots with ranch dressing, local apples and other fresh picked fruits.
According to board documents, the $4.5 million contract meets the estimated cost included in the cafeteria fund’s budget. The district will also be receiving $491,000 from the USDA to help offset the cost and $1.6 million from state and federal meal reimbursements.
Meal prices for breakfast and lunch will increase by 10 cents per meal across all grade levels in the 2023-24 school year. Students who qualify for the reduced meal cost will not see any price changes.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
