K-12 Schools

Technomic forecasts predict that K-12 foodservice will also grow 3 percent this year. Again, not quite the increase seen in 2008 (4.5 percent) but still respectable.

Overall, K-12 enrollments are also continuing to increase, although with significant regional variations. Many districts are reporting increased meal program participation (Fig. 14), especially in free and reduced meal programs (Fig. 13). Schools are also adopting more eco-friendly practices and investing in more energy efficient equipment (Fig. 15). Also, as many schools have re-structured their programs either to prepare more nutritious meals or to make their food production more efficient, they have looked to different kitchen equipment systems (e.g. purchasing combi ovens for satellite finishing operations or as a replacement for traditional fryers and ovens.)

Select charts to enlarge.

A driving force in the market this year will be the National School Lunch Act Reauthorization bill that will be coming before Congress. School Nutrition advocates will be lobbying hard for Congress to address the very real cost crunch that faces school meal programs nationally (see related story on p. 8 of this issue).

The implementation of wellness policies continues to have a major impact on school menus and programs. Surveys show there are major differences in how the effective these programs are pereceived to be in the eyes of administrators, foodservice professionals and community health advocates (Fig. 16). This suggests directors will need to step up efforts to communicate the extent and the science-based impact of these programs.

Another effect of wellness policies has been a trend in which schools have eliminated or curtailed a la carte programs that formerly provided some internal cash subsidies. That is a special problem in districts where high labor and other costs mean that meal production costs exceed federal reimbursement amounts. This spells trouble as a rise in unemployment almost certainly means that increasing numbers of families will apply for and qualify to receive free and reduced school meals this year.

As one respondent to the School Nutrition Association's annual “Back to School Trends Report” survey observed, “It will be a tough year.” Negotiations over the terms of the Reauthorization bill will likely prove to be both critical and assertive.