      The Chadron School Board has approved a new contract with Lunchtime Solutions to run the district’s meal program.
The value of the deal, which can be renewed 4 times, is put at just under $600,000 – a jump of 20%.
     School Board President Tom Menke thinks it’s a good contract despite the increase, given inflation, the difficulties in getting and keeping workers, and the strong relationship the district has had with Lunchtime Solutions for the last 9 years
The Chadron district put out a Request For Proposal and advertised it statewide and in industry sites, but Lunchtime Solutions was the only firm to submit one – although 3 others did contact the district about it.
      Menke says because of that and because the food service provider will need to start preparing shortly for the next school year, it made no sense to try to go out for bids a second time.
The Chadron school board is expected to set new meal prices this summer that are based on recommendations from Lunchtime Solutions
Lunchtime Solutions began 26 years ago and in the 2021-22 school year served 8.9-million meals to over 60,000 students in 54 school districts in Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri.