It is a widely recognized fact that educational institutions have struggled with funding shortages. As a result, there have been significant cutbacks in various areas including elimination of extracurricular activities and teachers have had to dig into their own pockets for supplies. Additionally, some classes have been cut and buildings may be falling apart. However, the school cafeteria has been especially hard hit by funding shortfalls. Despite this, here are some creative solutions to help make up for the lost revenue.
1: Inflation
According to usda.gov summary finds, food products have seen a rise of 5.7 % in their costs since June 2022. Schools, being required to purchase in bulk to cater to the numerous students, have to account for this significant increase in their food budget. Additionally, the USDA has been making efforts to encourage the usage of fresh and locally sourced food products, which tend to be more expensive than their processed counterparts. Although there had been some predictions of a slowdown in the rate of price increase, it must be kept in mind that the prices will not decrease significantly. Consequently, schools need to explore alternative cost-saving measures to offset this shortfall.
2: Food Waste
It has become a pressing concern that children tend to be meticulous eaters who prefer familiar dishes and hesitate to try new ones. according to WWF food waste warriors, US schools are throwing away approximately 530,000 pounds of food each year, which is costing them a whopping $9.7 million each day and $1.7 billion overall. However, it is imperative for schools to provide a well-balanced meal, as mandated in order to receive reimbursement. It is pertinent for schools to address these issues, as it can result in severe losses of revenue.
Though schools are obligated to abide by the law, expending resources on food items destined for the bin is futile. The cause of food wastage amongst children may be a combination of excessive food portions, the lack of appeal to the child’s taste buds, and an oblivious attitude towards the significance of food waste. Schools have undertaken various measures, including educating children about food waste, providing share tables, granting children sufficient time to eat, and offering appealing food choices to mitigate this issue. A comprehensive approach to limiting food wastage can be viewed on the USDA website.
3: Employee Shortage
School cafeterias across the country are currently experiencing a staffing shortage, as reported by a survey conducted by the food service director, which revealed that 60% of school cafeterias are affected (FSD). To compete with restaurants in hiring staff, schools are being compelled to offer higher wages and compensation, which can have a significant impact on their limited budget. There is a risk that if a suitable staff member cannot be found, the current workforce may be subjected to longer working hours and increased pressure.
In order to address this issue, it is suggested that technology and prepared foods could be implemented to reduce workloads. However, the use of prepared foods could collide with the USDA’s directive to source local and fresh ingredients. As such, the possible solution is to integrate technology to make serving lines more automated and efficient, allowing existing staff members to focus on food preparation and service. This could include options such as accurate biometric identification systems that do not require staff confirmation making lines faster and more automated.
4: Unnaccounted for lunches
As previously mentioned, it is imperative for educational institutions to provide students with meals in order to receive compensation, either through direct payment or participation in reimbursement programs. Regrettably, it is not uncommon for some students to evade detection when being served lunch due to misidentification, lack of identification, or their decision to circumvent the lunch lines. According to a reputable school in Illinois, an average of 150 to 250 dollars is lost for each student who skips the lunch line, resulting in an estimated 1 percent of total meals going undocumented. Such discrepancies can add up to approximately 12,000 dollars annually for a typically-sized school with approximately 500 students.
To address this issue, schools have implemented technology and security measures, with the goal of expediting lunch lines through improved identification systems utilizing instantaneous biometric identification. With such measures in place, the accuracy of identifying students is enhanced, thus reducing incidents of misidentification. While adding security guards may prove effective in curbing theft incidents, it is important to note that constant surveillance can make students feel uncomfortable or potentially criminalized. Therefore, it is not a recommended method to implement.
Sadly, it appears that the challenge of managing cafeteria budgets will persevere in the foreseeable future. Educational institutions must contend with numerous stressors to furnish our children with the resources needed for academic achievement. But, with this toolset, school cafeterias can take the steps needed to save money while giving their students the best of the best.
What steps is your cafeteria taking to utilize your budget?
See how you can save money, speed up lunch lines, add security and safety with just a touch of a finger