At approximately 10:30 A.M. on the morning of February 12, 2018, an email was sent out to the faculty and staff of Moorestown Friends School announcing the school’s plans for a review of the Dining Hall vendor.  Although the announcement came as a surprise, Director of Finance and Operations Lisa Carbone Warren told WordsWorth, “Yes [this is a standard review], that is correct.  It is best practice to review contractual arrangements of major vendors of the school periodically through a Request for Proposal process.  Usually this takes place every 5 years.”

In addition to revealing the regularity of the review, Carbone Warren expanded on the criteria that the school’s administration will be looking at during the review process.  Carbone Warren said, “Some of the criteria we applied in the process was to seek companies that were experienced in the food service business, [and] companies that were experienced with retail programs, and that were experienced with three divisional schools.”  Carbone Warren elaborated on the more lunch-based aspects of the criteria, citing food quality control, menu variety, healthy lunch options, nutrition and allergen training (of employees or potential employees), and application of technology online and in the lunchroom.

Carbone Warren continued to list some factors relating to the business side of a new potential vendor, naming food costs, management fees, projected sales, catering services, a connection with a local farm program, fair wages for employees, and the incorporation of sustainable practices as aspects that the school will be paying extra attention to.    

As for the number of vendors that have been invited to submit a proposal to be the school’s Dining Hall Vendor, Carbone Warren said, “We sent a request for a proposal to 6 companies, including the incumbent, Choice Foods.”

Carbone Warren explained the different stages of the hiring process by saying, “A committee was formed to evaluate the proposals, meet with the vendors, and make visits to schools who are their clients.  After a thorough process, finalists will be selected to interview further. One or more finalists will be invited to present to Ad Council and to meet with members of FQC [Food Quality Committee] so that they can be informed about the priorities and concerns of the community.” Student representatives from Middle and Upper School, as well as faculty and staff, are on the Food Quality Committee, which meets three times per year.

Regarding a potential change in vendor, Junior Kyle Eiffes said, “I’m open to a change, as long as the food tastes better and the prices are more reasonable.”  Junior Blake Weiner said he would like to see a new company, because he believes, “the [entrée] options are insufficient and too many kids end up eating at the snack bar.”

This is still a developing story and WordsWorth will continue to provide updates as they become available.