In Brief 2012-03-01

Boston Public Schools has named Michael Peck its new director of food & nutrition services, succeeding Helen Mont-Ferguson, who retired on January 6th. Peck most recently served as the director of food services for Pittsburgh Public Schools and was previously deputy director of food services for District of Columbia Public Schools.

A new study of nearly 20,000 fifth through eighth graders conducted at Penn State found no correlation between obesity and the availability of so called “junk foods” in the schools attended by the students. The study appeared in the January issue of the journal Sociology of Education.

The Atlanta Braves will offer one third off the purchase price of all food and drink concession items except beer to season ticket buyers. The strategy, which applies to any season ticket purchase of at least 20 games, is in effect only at fixed concession stands and in-seat service, not for items sold in premium outlets or through roaming vendors.

Rex Hospital in Raleigh, NC, says it is poised to become the first hospital in the state to get rid of its fryers in its retail cafeteria. Rex had already removed fried foods from its patient menus a year earlier.

University Hospital in San Antonio has joined the local Por Vida healthy dining program by agreeing to menu dishes that meet the initiative's criteria of under 700 calories, 750 mg sodium and 23 grams of fat.

Columbus (OH) Public Schools plans to recover up to $900,000 in unpaid lunch money from the parents of nearly 6,000 students. The district intends to turn over accounts where families owe more than $50 for lunches.

Texas A&M University will solicit bids from private contractors to manage its campus support services, including campus dining.

The deadline for 2012 entries into FM's annual Best Concepts Awards program is fast approaching. If you — or a foodservice director you know — deserves to be recognized, don't procrastinate! For entry rules and information, go to http://tinyurl.com/7z4hkc6. The entry deadline is March 30, 2012.