Behind The Pie: How Garlex Pizza Got On PUSD's Lunch Menu

PLEASANTON, CA — What's for lunch? Pizza!

The kid-favorite pie has returned to school lunch menus this month after the Pleasanton Unified School District Board of Trustees voted to approve the dish during its Sept. 24 meeting.

Putting pizza back on Pleasanton school lunch menus was not without some red tape, however. On August 2, the district announced on its website that it was seeking pizza bids for the PUSD Child Nutrition Department. The district also mailed out bid packets to seven pizza vendors; three of which responded with the required documents.

Once the paperwork was in, the bidders had to provide pizza samples to the district on Aug. 16 "for evaluation." Child Nutrition Services personnel wanted to ensure the pies met specifications: 2 ounces of cheese per slice, the crusts had to contain at least 51 percent whole grain flour, and each slice could not exceed 400 calories.

The CNS staff "reviewed and evaluated" each bidder's pizza (price was a consideration too). Students from Amador Valley High School's Leadership Class also weighed in, rating each pizza's taste and appearance.

Drum roll please ...

Garlex Pizza came out the winner. Cheese, pepperoni, Hawaiian and vegetarian pies are now being offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday at PUSD middle and high schools beginning Oct. 14. All PUSD elementary schools and Village High School will get the favorite once a week starting Oct. 21.

"After a thorough analysis, it is the belief of the Child Nutrition Department that in choosing Garlex Pizza, students will benefit from being offered a nourishing and delicious entrée that is also compliant with the USDA meal pattern requirements," the CND told PUSD trustees in a report.

The district told families in its weekly newsletter, "Based on USDA guidelines, pizza will be offered as part of a complete meal. Students may select a piece of pizza, fresh fruit, veggies and milk. At a minimum, students need to select at least one fruit or vegetable. Pizza will not be offered as an a la carte item."

Garlex Pizza's contract award is approximately $200,000. Volume can be up to 175 pizzas per day, and district orders will be placed no later than 2 p.m. for the next business day, according to the CND staff report to trustees.

The pies will be purchased for one year — October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020. As part of the deal, the PUSD reserves the right to extend the bid for two additional one-year terms (a total contract term of three years maximum), the staff report said.

It's a lot of pizza ... no matter how you slice it.