Schools

Beachwood City Schools Talk Lunch at Meeting

AVI Foodsystems presents its revamped menus and cost savings to Board of Education.

During the 2007-2008 school year, Beachwood City Schools lost $245,000 on its school lunch program.

This year, said AVI Foodsystems Vice President John Coker during a presentation to the last week, the school district will see a $38,000 loss. Coker added that AVI expects to break even in just one more school year.

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The district's cost-saving measures, like consolidating the high school and middle school food services, and selling more meals — nearly 86,000 last school year compared to 81,000 in 2008-2009 — have set the cafeteria on the road to the black since the district contracted AVI in 2008, Coker said.

Click the PDF to the right to see the full presentation.

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While the costs of the food has gone down — the supply cost has decreased by 48 percent — the quality has increased, Coker argued.

The company stresses education, providing information to students with a monthly newsletter with topics like encouraging elementary-aged school children to try differently colored food each month and teaching older kids about balanced meals and local produce.

And foods from other cultures — like sushi and hummus — grace even the high school grab-and-go menu.

The company also surveys students and takes seriously their suggestions for a better lunch. AVI District Manager for School Services Walter Miller said that a new build-your-own-burrito bar was a concept suggested by a student council member.

What's for lunch?


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