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Hot potato in the school cafeteria: more districts outsource their food services, but some raise questions about personnel relations and savings

School Administrator, Sept, 2004 by Kate Beem

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Hiring a food service director with experience and skills can save money over time and ease the angst of worrying about whether to hire a proprietary management firm. "In today's world, with discussions of obesity and accountability, why would you not want the most competent individual you could get?" Carr says.

The institute's reports include 12 areas in which school administrators should be well-versed, ranging from customer service to food production and procurement to personnel management and marketing. Each area is broken down into competencies, and each competency includes detailed knowledge and skills that food service managers need under their belts.

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For example, the report recommends that competent food service directors should understand customer service, including how to improve presentation of meal options.

On the issue of program accountability, competency means complying with state and federal regulations and providing technical assistance to food service staff and other support staff. Under financial management, the institute recommends directors be able to establish measurable financial goals for the food service program and be able to use efficient management techniques to ensure good record-keeping.

Without national standards for food service directors, it can be difficult for cop district executives to know what they should expect when they hire someone to run the food service program. Cart says.

"School officials should recognize the competencies as a foundation of knowledge to review, assess and interview the most competent job candidates." she adds.

The reports are available on the institute's website: www.nfsmi.org/ Information/Research.html.--Kate Beem

RELATED ARTICLE: Directory of food service firms.

In the world of school food service outsourcing, the field isn't crowded. More than 1,200 school districts across the country contract all or part of their food service programs to one of the top three food service management companies: Chartwells School Dining Services, Aramark and Sodexho School Services. But smaller companies enjoy a share of the pie, too.

This list includes 10 food service management companies that do business with school districts in more than one state. Following the big three, which are listed in order of the number of school district contracts they hold, the remaining firms appear alphabetically.

Most of the information was provided by company officials.

Chartwells School Dining Services

3 International Drive Rye Brook, NY 10573

Contact: David DeScenza

877-586-9631

www.chartwells-usa.com

Chartwells, a division of Compass Group North America, holds food service contracts with 519 school districts, running food service programs at 3,500 school sites in 34 states, with the highest concentration in Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and Washington. Food Management estimated the company s annual sales at $5.8 billion in 2003.

Aramark School Support Services

1101 Market St. Philadelphia, PA 19107

Hot potato in the school cafeteria: more districts outsource their food services, but some raise questions about personnel relations and savings

School Administrator, Sept, 2004 by Kate Beem

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