SPS Extends Whitson's Contract for FY14

One incident in February 2012 where Sudbury Public Schools students were served undercooked chicken was enough for SPS to make a change in its food and nutrition specialist.

The difference? The new vendor is getting a second chance.

During its May 29 meeting, the SPS Committee unanimously approved to extend the contract of Whitson's at the request of Finance Director Mary Will.

"It's been somewhat rocky," Will said. "There's been lot of new personnel, a new manager, a lot of getting organized, getting settled. To their credit they worked hard to iron out some of the issues."

Among the challenges that are being worked out is the quality of the lunch menu. Will said students do not like what is being offered, but that Whitson's is working on improving the offerings.

"Good thing about Whitson's is they are chefs," she said. "They come in and do demonstrations ... that only kicked off in the last three months. I’m more positive about next year."

Whitson's contract is for five years, where the Committee votes each year whether to extend the contract for the next year.

"At any time we can RFP (request for proposal)," Wills said, adding SPS will have to after five years, which is state law. "We are not bound (Whitson's) for five years."

Will said she was confident keeping Whitson's was the best choice.

"(Excluding) the chicken incident, they have done exemplary working for us," she said. "I don’t want to start over again. We can move forward, cater more to kids, make (the food choices) more palatable."

Committee member Scott Nassa said he knows first hand the challenges students are facing regarding the quality of lunch.

"The biggest complaint I've heard the last few weeks is the kids really don’t like food," he said. "As an example, I had fourth-grader approach me who said students were thinking about starting a petition."

Some of the new federal regulations regarding nutrition have also complicated things, where schools are now required to serve brown over white.

"Not every student is used to eating whole grains," Superintendent Anne Wilson said.

Will said she felt it was important to show Whitson's support.

"It will mean something to them that we are behind them," she said.