Amid boycott, Farmington school officials promise changes

FARMINGTON, Conn. — Farmington school officials say they have addressed student complaints about school lunches and are making some changes to cafeteria procedures.

Chartwells has run the school's cafeteria services for about three years, according to administrators and students expressed concerns about the food quality, portion size and price, along with a policy that included throwing out food.

Bill Silva, principal of Farmington High School, said in a statement on Friday that he met with students on Tuesday and held another meeting on Thursday with five students, representatives of Chartwells and members of the high school administration.

They agreed to make some changes, revised the charge procedure in the cafeteria and will be sending the information to all families. The school will also be establishing a Cafeteria Advisory Committee, which will include students, to ensure an ongoing dialogue; and arranging for any complaints about the cafeteria to be immediately communicated to the Director of Dining Services.

Local produce will continue to be delivered twice a week and fresh bread deliveries will continue to be made daily, school officials said. The Farmington Valley Health District will continue regular inspections of the FHS cafeteria.

School officials said Chartwells "will maintain its current standard of 100% of the FHS cafeteria workers trained and certified in food handling" and a Chartwells on-staff dietitian will continue weekly visits to the Farmington Public Schools.

The policy also calls for Chartwells' regional chef to visit Farmington High School in early November and every month thereafter for special demonstrations, training and in-service.

Earlier this week, student Sarah White said she found one Chartwells policy humiliating and it was the last straw in students' frustration.

“I was told I didn't have enough money left in my account to charge it and they threw it out in front of me," White said.

Silva