Gilroy Unified renews Sodexo child-nutrition contract, highlights universal meals and local sourcing goals

The Gilroy Unified School District board approved a renewal agreement with Sodexo of America for the 2024–25 fiscal year after a presentation from Director of Child Nutrition Patty Couture and a Sodexo representative.

“My name is Patty Couture, and I'm the director of child nutrition,” Couture said as she introduced the contract renewal and summarized the services Sodexo provides to the district — procurement, ingredients and consulting — and the contract’s built-in CPI-based increases (9.5% from 2022–23 to 2023–24; 4.5% for 2024–25, as presented).

Nalani Battaglia of Sodexo outlined program accomplishments and goals: “We have universal meals for breakfast and lunch. That means every student receives 1 free breakfast and 1 free lunch,” she said, noting the district receives reimbursable rates of over $5 for lunch and over $3 for breakfast under current arrangements. Battaglia described efforts to expand scratch cooking, increase local (California) sourcing and reduce food waste, and said the program aims to broaden produce and scratch-menu tasting events at more sites.

Trustees asked questions about the seamless summer feeding program (sites must meet 50% free-and-reduced-price eligibility to qualify), supply-chain substitutions and how the district will prioritize local vendors. Battaglia responded that funds and vendor rules require California-based sourcing where possible and the district is revising order guides to keep purchases within the state.

After discussion the board moved to approve the renewal; the motion carried unanimously.

The presentation emphasized program continuity (Sodexo partnership of 25+ years), student participation in universal meal programs, and planned menu and procurement changes intended to increase fresh, local ingredients.