As discussed, Sodexo, the food service providers of the Monroe Public School system, served over 1 million meals to students during the 2009-2010 school year. From pizza and pasta, to chicken and salads, Sodexo provides students with a vast variety of foods from which to choose. However, most likely due to the economic shift, Sodexo has seen a change from ala carte sales (purchasing individual menu items) to program meals as income in district families decreases.
Nancy Boykin, Sodexo’s account manager for Monroe Public Schools, presents information like this to the MPS board of education annually. Also, a big topic is mending the gap in the number of children going hungry in their homes. The Back Pack program, sponsored by Sodexo, has provided families in need with a back pack containing seven pounds of food. The program donates 100 back packs of food per week to families in the district.
Gleaner Food Bank of Southeast Michigan is where Sodexo obtains the food. In November of 2010, a $1,500 grant was sent by Sodexo for MPS to Gleaners for further support of the program. An anonymous donor then matched that donation for a total of $3,000.
As discussed in the meeting, Sodexo is trying to create healthier meals for students. Schools give students the choice of choosing healthy fruits and vegetables eliminating fatty, non-nutritional items. Junior Veronica McGowan purchases lunch at school most days and said, “I have noticed quite a difference in the foods being more nutritional than they used to be”.
d in the meeting, Sodexo is trying to create healthier meals for students. Schools give students the choice of choosing healthy fruits and vegetables eliminating fatty, non-nutritional items. Junior Veronica McGowan purchases lunch at school most days and said, “I have noticed quite a difference in the foods being more nutritional than they used to b