School forms subcommittee to balance food quality, budget

A Burlington, Mass., school district moved to form a school lunch subcommittee after parents expressed dissatisfaction with food quality, according to a report by the Daily Times Chronicle.

Parents pushing for such a group shared their grievances at larger committee meetings and over social media. One mother wrote on Facebook that she was “totally disgusted” by the school food, noting that items were prepackaged rather than freshly served.  

After hearing similar complaints, the district decided to develop the subcommittee as a way to foster ideas for improving the lunch program.

The new subcommittee will work closely with the school’s Wellness Committee, which handles health and wellness issues such as concussions and allergies. The school’s foodservice director, cafeteria workers, managers and parents will also likely be pulled in.

Superintendent Dr. Eric Conti said he would like any new guidelines to be put in place before the school year begins in September. However, he also expressed the need to balance ideas for improvements with cost implications.

School Committee Chair Stephen Nelson echoed these priorities to the Daily Chronicle, noting that “There is a delicate balance of quality and cost, but we want everyone to be able to buy a quality lunch.”