District forms wellness committee to review three food-service bids, plans taste tests

Ms. Spadafora updated the committee that the food-service Request for Proposals closed Jan. 27 and that three vendors submitted responses. She said a site walk-through for vendors occurred Jan. 19 and that state rules require the district to set up an advisory task force to review proposals and recommend a vendor.

To meet that requirement and connect nutrition with broader wellness work, the district formed a Wellness Committee that will evaluate proposals, participate in site visits and conduct taste tests with students. The committee includes Ms. Spadafora, Athletics Director Charlie Conefrey, the Director of Nursing (Ms. Tramondozzi), the Director of Guidance (Ms. Craven), food-service staff, athletics educators, collaborators from Cambridge Health Alliance, at least one parent with pediatric/nutrition experience and student representatives (a seventh grader will take part in taste testing and a third grader will join select site visits). Ms. Spadafora said the committee plans to complete review by the first week of March so any cost differences can be provided to the Budget Subcommittee.