There was the in-person taste test where Montclair Public Schools sought feedback back in May. Then Montclair Public Schools chose Sodexo as its food service provider.
Now the district is looking for more feedback. Montclair Public Schools are hosting monthly parent meetings to discuss the school lunch program.
The district invites parents and guardians to engage in open discussions about school meals at these meetings, held at various school cafeterias throughout the district.
The meetings come following complaints about the program. Problems with the food service were raised at a recent Montclair Board of Education meeting, specifically issues where no food was delivered and schools had to scramble to order pizza. Montclair Local has also received tips about gray-colored chicken nuggets and other complaints about meal quality.
“Our goal is to ensure that every child receives nutritious and appealing meals while also fostering transparency and collaboration with families. These meetings provide a great opportunity for parents to be directly involved in the conversation about school meals and share their feedback,” said Interim Superintendent Damen G. Cooper.
According to an auditor’s report, the district’s food service fun had a nearly $80,000 deficit. Auditor Valerie Dolan, of the firm Nisivoccia, said this was because a federally funded program that provided free lunches during the pandemic ended. Dolan also said that rising food costs along with less participation in the traditional free and reduced lunch program have also been factors.
Refreshments Will Be Served
Families can ask questions, receive updates, and experience firsthand what meals are being served to their children at the meetings.
“We are excited to welcome families into our cafeterias to see exactly what’s being served. Providing nutritious and balanced meals is a top priority, and we value parent input in helping us continuously improve our program,” said Director of Food Services Reddrick Robinson.
Parents and caregivers can attend a meeting tonight (Thursday, March 20) from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at Northeast Elementary School’s cafeteria (Door “H”). Light refreshments will be provided.
The district will offer three more meetings on April 24, May 22, and June 12, 2025. Locations have yet to be announced. Parents can also contact the Montclair Public Schools Food Services Department at mpsfoodservices@montclair.k12.nj.us or 973-509-4200 x14611.
If you had to write a review of Montclair’s school lunch program now, what would it be? Photos optional.
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