Supply chain woes locally and across the country are making providing nutritious meals a challenge for school districts across the country. In the Pine Bush Central School District, School Nutrition Director Lyn Prestia shared the ongoing struggle that staff are facing.

Currently for the 2021-2022 school year, the Pine Bush Central School District launched a brand new program the Seamless Summer Option (SSO). The Seamless Summer Option (SSO) is similar to the National School Lunch Program. The program is allowed to run thanks to a waiver issued by the United States Department of Agriculture from April 2021. It offers both one free breakfast and free lunch per student per day. Food items are individually wrapped so students can grab them as fast as possible and remain socially distant.

“There are several breakfast carts as they enter the building and the students grab and go their breakfast and take it to their designated location. Lunch is served in the cafeteria through the serving lines by the friendly school nutrition staff. All meals meet the USDA guidelines,” explained Prestia.
Beginning in November, Pine Bush began offering individually wrapped fresh cut green beans, broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and pineapple on a rotating basis with lunches.

“We are still operating our farm to school program. It allows us to secure great quality produce and it’s a reliable supply chain,” said Prestia.

With breakfast and lunch participation at or above numbers from 2019, meeting supply demands is an increasing challenge for school staff.

“The supply chain disruption is by far the biggest challenge that we are facing at this time. Every time we place an order we receive a confirmation that they are fifty percent out stock of what we are looking for,” explained Prestia.

This means staff will need to check other vendors or make alternate plans. Some items are out of stock for up to 90 days from vendors and others are preordered up until May 2022 in order to obtain items.

At the high school, the district now has a freezer that allows them to buy more items in advance to try and stay ahead of the supply chain disruptions. The district also includes a menu disclaimer now in the event that there will be a change which can be done in real time in Nutrislice or by notifying the school.

School nutrition staff members are working with distributors and truck drivers to celebrate their efforts to get the district needed items, but also working together to make everything as efficient as possible during this challenging time. District staff are also helping to unload trucks due to the staff shortage on the part of the contracted companies.

“It’s a completely new way of doing business for us, but it’s what we have to do,” Prestia shared with those in attendance at a recent Board of Education Meeting.

A freezer truck was also recently purchased and it will be added to the fleet. “The truck was something that Lynn identified well ahead of the problems so she’s always thinking ahead and making sure that we’re in a position to be protected and our kids are well fed. She and her staff are truly school lunch heroes,” said Superintendent of Schools Tim O. Mains.

Prestia closed by thanking those in attendance for their understanding and patience during this difficult time as staff navigate uncharted territory. Board members then eagerly thanked Prestia for her hard work and dedication.

“I know the last few years were very difficult and I think you continued to rise to the demands of the students and I really have to thank you and your staff for continuing on through the summer and it makes me very proud that you’re one of us,” said Board of Education Vice President Matthew Watkins.