Harper Creek outlines $700,000 food‑service spend‑down plan amid rising meal costs

Harper Creek administrators told the board on Nov. 10 that the district has an excess food‑service fund balance of roughly $700,000 that must be dedicated to food‑service expenses. The district presented a spend‑down plan that prioritizes equipment and program improvements rather than recurring costs.

"We have 700,000 in excess fund balance," a finance/food‑service presenter said when describing the constraint that fund balance dollars be spent only on food‑service items. Proposed investments include new ovens (the high‑school project figure cited around $97,000 and elementary ovens about $67,000 total), small‑wares replacement, uniforms for food‑service staff, design and landscaping for an outdoor student dining area and continued use of a food truck to increase menu variety.

Administrators emphasized rising costs in meal production: breakfast costs were described as up about 24% and lunches up about 20%, and the district plans to bid large purchases and return high‑dollar items to the board for approval. Staff also discussed menu innovations and tastings that tested plant‑based items and other options to broaden students’ choices.

What happens next: administration will bring high‑dollar purchases back to the board for formal approval, conduct required bidding for larger procurements and continue work with principals on small‑wares and program needs.