Move to local beef saves school money

May 14—Kalispell (Mt.) Public Schools’ food service program is moving to source food locally and is saving money by doing so. The 2,000 hamburgers served weekly to Kalispell students now come from beef raised on Kalispell and Polson cattle ranches. Previously, the beef patties were nationally sourced.

The district was able to make the switch after Lower Valley Meat Processing near Kalispell purchased a machine capable of making the necessary patty size. Closer delivery means less transportation. The department will realize a $750 savings annually as a result, and $35,000 will be spent in the local economy, Food Service Director Jenny Montague said.