Depew food service reports big jump in participation under CEP, eyes New York sourcing incentive

Joe Metty, the district’s school lunch manager, told the board the first year of the district’s four‑year Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) contract led to a large increase in participation: about 60% of students now participate in school lunch (up from roughly 36%) and about 54% take breakfast (up from about 38%). "This is a provision that allows regardless of the eligibility of students, everyone is granted one free breakfast, one free lunch," Metty said.

Metty reported an administrative review by Child Nutrition that turned up no critical findings. He described operational successes — expanded vending with healthy, child‑nutrition‑approved options and measures to hire more food‑service staff — as well as ongoing supply and storage pressures caused by other districts moving to CEP and increasing demand for vendor warehouse space. He noted milk production and cardboard supply issues have occasionally affected menus.

Looking ahead, Metty cited the New York 30% initiative, under which districts that spend 30% of their food costs on New York‑grown products can earn higher reimbursement rates; he explained tracking rules (only lunch purchases count toward the threshold) and said some states and districts are discussing changes that could lower or adjust the percentage requirement.

Metty also described planned equipment work: replacement of the outdoor USDA commodity freezer at Cayuga by July, and replacement of the high‑school freezer and cooler next summer, along with other cooler/freezer work at Cayuga and the middle school. He thanked his staff for managing a busy year and said administrators are working with vendors on food choices and procurement to support healthier meals.