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Meeting Date:
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Category:
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Type:
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Subject:
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12. Quarterly Report with Possible Action on the MPS School Nutrition Program |
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Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
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Goal 3 Effective and Efficient Operations
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Attachments:
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File Attachment:
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Background:
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On December 21, 2017, the Board took action regarding the MPS School Nutrition program. The key elements of this action included limiting processed, high-sugar offerings; increasing the availability of fresh fruits and vegetables; maximizing the lunch period; and establishing regular communication mechanisms for continued feedback. The Board’s action also included quarterly updates to the Board on the progress in these areas.
The following report focuses on three areas: menu enhancements, dining enhancements, staffing, and student voice.
Menu Enhancements
- MPS is striving for more clean labels for food products served to students. This is also being included in some of our bid requirements. For example, certain chicken products used by MPS contain no antibiotics, no artificial ingredients, and certain turkey products are minimally processed and use no artificial colors or ingredients.
- MPS continues to pursue partnerships with Wisconsin companies. For example, we worked with Klement’s Sausage Company to create a hot dog that is all beef, all natural (no preservatives or additives) and lower in sodium specifically for MPS students. In addition, we worked with Jones Dairy Farms of Fort Atkinson to identify a local chicken sausage patty with a clean label to integrate into the lunch menu.
Dining Enhancements
- The Department of School Nutrition continues to work with MPS Facilities and Maintenance to upgrade kitchen equipment to enhance efficiency for staff and food quality for our students.
- MPS is working to create flyers to promote locally-sourced products. The flyer will highlight relationships between MPS and local food manufacturers, particularly on Wisconsin Wednesday, but on other days as well.
Staffing
- In November, the Department of Nutrition Services increased 95 existing staff people from short-hour positions (less than 6 hours/day) to long-hour positions (6+ hours/day). This increase makes these 95 employees now eligible for benefits. As part of this increase, staff was invited to a benefits-training session offered by Human Resources to ensure that they understand the impact of this change. This move is a result of the October budget adjustment.
- The Department of Nutrition Services is developing a mentoring program by recruiting knowledgeable retired kitchen managers to come back and mentor our many new kitchen managers.
Student Voice
- On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, the Department of Nutrition will be conducting a Mini Food Show at Washington High School. We are seeking student feedback for the Request for Bid for Direct Diversion Bulk USDA Foods and End products that is currently publicized. Approximately 80 students of varying grades levels (fourth - eleventh grade) will be requested to attend, sample and provide product preference on potentially over 50 items. These items will then be integrated into the 2019-20 school year menus. |
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Fiscal Impact Statement:
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Implementation and Assessment Plan: |
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Recommendation
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Approvals:
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Recommended By: |
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Signed By: |
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Keith Posley, Ed.D. - Superintendent |
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