September News | In Brief

Pittsburgh Public Schools will expand its free lunch program to to seven more of its buildings this fall, adding some 2,600 students to the program, which offers free lunches to all students at schools and early-childhood centers where at least 80 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Last year, the free lunch program covered 40 sites. The district already provides free breakfast at all of its 80 schools and childhood centers. Total enrollment was 26,649 in 2008-09, plus another 1,800 in the early childhood program. The free/reduced ratio is 71 percent.

Whole Foods Market and “Renegade Lunch Lady” Ann Cooper have teamed to launch a “School Lunch Revolution” website (thelunchbox.org) featuring a set of comprehensive, easily accessible and free resources to “help schools replace frozen processed foods with fresh, natural, made-from-scratch foods in a realistic, cost-effective manner.”

The Ontario (CA) Pubic Library is seeking a liquor license for its onsite Page One Café, which is operated by contract firm SMG. Page One opened three years ago as part of a renovation project and serves a menu of specialty coffee drinks as well as soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches and pizza.

A'viands Food Service has taken over managing dining operations at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

The Methodist University Hospital in Memphis is opening a Flavors 450 food station as part of its newly renovated University Café retail dining facility. Flavors 450 is a concept developed by celebrity chef Cary Neff and chefs from Morrison Management Services, which will operate the cafe.

Sodexo Retail Brand Group will roll out a new burger concept on three to five college campuses this fall. The Original Burger Company will menu quality burgers, fries and chicken sandwiches, all built-to-order in front of the customer, at a mid-level price. The company says that it plans to expand the rollout to other segments such as healthcare and B&I in the future.

Santa Cruz (CA) City Schools has hired James “Jamie” Smith as culinary director and inked a contract with a local fresh/local foods vendor, Revolution Foods, to supply healthful meals until Smith is ready to convert the district to a scratch-cook system. Smith most recently served as chef de cuisine and executive sous chef at UC Santa Cruz, and has also operated his own restaurant in the city.

Silver Plate Award nominations are due by December 4. As in previous years, operators can be nominated in different segment categories, including college/university, K-12 schools, healthcare and B&I/foodservice management. For more info, go to www.ifmaworld.com.

The School Nutrition Association (SNA) has moved its offices across the Potomac River to 120 Waterfront St., #300, National Harbor, MD 20745.

FOR BREAKING NEW BRIEFS GO TO: www.food-management.com