Middle Country BOE reviews food services, approves free meals for 2024-25

By Peter Sloniewsky

Middle Country Central School District Board of Education met Sept. 10 at a special meeting to discuss a range of agenda items centered around a food-services presentation. 

This presentation, given on behalf of the district’s food service team, began with a review of the mission statement, staff and partnership details with Whitsons Culinary Group of Islandia. The presenters then spoke about eligibility for free and reduced-price school lunches. The district is approved to serve no-charge breakfast and lunch meals daily for the upcoming school year but encourages households to fill out the Household Income Eligibility Form to qualify for such programs in the future. 

The presentation covered a recent history of financial and sales data, which reflected a recent trend of budget surplus. According to the presenters, this positive funds balance was used entirely to enhance the school lunch program, exemplified by the purchase of a large replacement oven and the completion of a freezer project during the past school year. 

The presenters then conveyed their plans for the future. The team has been pushing the Household Income Eligibility Form and plans to continue advocacy for free meals. They also listed some concerns with the rising costs of running such an operation, the continual push for grant money and issues with staff retention, before concluding with a more thorough push for universal free meals. 

After the presentation, a number of routine items were addressed. Board President Dawn Sharrock was approved to act as the voting delegate for the district at the New York State School Board Association Virtual Annual Business Meeting Oct. 10, and in New York City at the Annual Convention and Education Expo Oct. 20-22. The board also approved a major field trip to Washington, D.C. 

The next BOE meeting will be Oct. 16 at Centereach High School at 7 p.m.