Board approves food and milk bids and extends universal free‑meals program

The Bledsoe County Board of Education approved a slate of food‑service contracts for the 2026–27 school year and voted to extend the district’s C program so that all students receive free breakfast and lunch.

Food service director Christy Owens presented bid results: the produce bid (TNT Produce/DoD pricing) was estimated at approximately $247,341.25 (this figure covered the district, the detention center, and partner schools for one pricing week), the nonfood bid (US Foods) totaled about $1,168,700.72, and the milk bid (Dean’s Foods) was reported at roughly $179,798.50. A pizza vendor supporting the high‑school pizza bar bid $9,542. Owens noted market‑sensitive pricing for produce and milk and that these figures are based on the selected pricing week.

Board members asked clarifying questions about scope (some bids cover multiple entities including the detention center), pest‑control quotes for cafeterias, and whether nonfood vendors were local. The board approved awarding the bids and separately approved an extension of the C program for the 2026–27 school year.

The board directed staff to finalize vendor agreements and provide any necessary implementation details for meal distribution and public notice to families.