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OSSINING, N.Y. – A new food contract will be redefining lunch for thousands of students in Ossining’s Union Free School District.
The district is bringing fresh organic produce and meats to school cafeterias through a new deal with Aramark.
The district received three bids from different companies upon announcing its desire to overhaul the lunch program. Aramark was chosen as the best, most affordable choice at a June 12 meeting of the Board of Education.
According to Alita Zuber, the district's assistant superintendent of business, the new additions were chosen based on parents' requests
The contract will bring low-fat milk free of antibiotics and hormones, dark leafy salad greens, fresh fruit, high quality deli meat, local grown food when possible, baked fish, all-natural chicken nuggets, beef, pork and even sushi for high schools. The contract promotes supporting local businesses, environmental responsibility and healthy eating for children.
"We're looking forward to providing students with higher quality, healthier food," Zuber said.
All food service workers currently employed in the district will keep their jobs and hours – and even see wage increases within the next year, according to the contract.
The new program seeks to save money for the district and all surplus from the next year will be put toward renovating the kitchen of one of the middle schools.
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