North Chicago district enters new $1.26 million lunch contract

July 15 — There’s a new food service in town, or rather in North Chicago public schools, and the foodies who run it say healthier eating could help boost student focus, pride and achievement.

“The cafeteria in our opinion is the most important classroom,” said Justin Rolls, chief operating officer of OrganicLife LLC. “Kids that are getting good, nutritious meals are going to be more productive in the classroom.”

The Chicago-based catering and school lunch company recently landed a $1.26 million breakfast and lunch contract with District 187, which is renewable for up to four years at an estimated savings of $500,000. OrganicLife, which replaces Sodexo, is capitalizing on growing national interest in school lunch reform and says it aims to prove that nutritious meals don’t have to mean higher costs for schools or a lack of flavor for kids.