Food Service Director Jon Siciliano Is Helping Kids Make Healthier Choices

Jon Siciliano doesn’t have the easiest job. As food service director for all four Clinton public schools, he has to work within a tight budget to purchase food that kids of all ages, Kindergarten through 12^th grade will eat – while pleasing their parents, school administrators, and the folks who cook and serve the meals.

But if anyone has a broad smile and a great attitude – it’s Siciliano. He’s a parent (he and his wife Joanna have James, 8 and Olivia, 4) and he understands that no matter how much money, time, or fancy gadgets are spent on a meal “the kids are our customers.”

Many years ago, the Clinton schools employed a full-time food service director.

“She retired and the position was not filled. That was 11 years ago,” said Siciliano.

The push for this part-time position, which started August 16, 2010, began with the Clinton PTA.

The PTA formed a subcommittee to discuss making school lunches healthier, who would coordinate the effort, and how to pay for it.

Jon’s qualifications fit the bill: he is a graduate of Johnson & Wales, and worked for Aramark, the food-service organization that runs cafeterias for companies such as Pratt & Whitney, United Technologies, and SCSU.

Jon’s mission is to incorporate healthy foods and healthier alternatives into the lunches.  

What are the favorites of kids? That’s easy, says Jon: pizza, waffles, French toast, and toasted cheese sandwiches with soup.

Pasta and Mexican food – not so much, he says.

Buying healthier food – that can be a bit tricky. Fresh fruits and vegetables and things such as chicken breast (not nuggets) cost more money.

What is unfortunate for so many school districts is that processed foods are the least expensive to make and to ship. So part of Jon’s job is to coordinate the efforts of all the schools’ grocery lists, for example, for better buying power.

“I look at things we can do as a group collectively,” he says.

According to Superintendent of Schools Jack Cross, the food service program is intended to be self-sustaining and self-funding. The Board of Education covers the cost of health insurance (if you are grandfathered-in) and a combination of health, life, and dental insurance for some employees which costs about $125,000 a year.

The Clinton public schools take part in a government program that provides fruits and vegetables from one program and things such as beef patties, potatoes, corn, tuna, and cheese from another.

The revenue, meaning the amount of money the town receives from federal subsidies added to the amount the schools take in from the cost of the lunches, is about $570,000 a year. Take away from that about $250,000 in salaries and between $290,000 and $320,000 in food costs, it leaves the schools with a small surplus or no surplus at all.

If there is a surplus, that money is often needed to repair or replace equipment such as ovens, walk-in refrigerators, and dishwashers in all four cafeterias.

"The surplus also allowed us to look at Jon's position," said Cross.

Increasing that surplus is another of Jon's goals.

He can do it through a new venture called “Ask Jon First Catering” business – a joint venture by Jon and the cafeteria staff.

Looking for ready-to-eat appetizers such as artichoke dip, bruschetta, stuffed breads or Swedish meatballs for a cocktail party? Ask Jon First Catering can fill the bill. Deciding between entrees such as lasagna, lemon chicken, baked ziti, and pineapple teriyaki chicken for a big event? Just Ask Jon First Catering.

The catering company, which is through the Clinton Public Schools Foodservice Department, prepares everything from soups, appetizers, salads, specialty sandwiches, deli-style sandwiches, entrees, and desserts for anyone – anywhere. You do not have to be part of the schools or live in Clinton to use the catering service.

For more information on the Ask Jon First Catering, call 203-200-8607 or email Jon at Jsiciliano@clintonpublic.net. He and his staff will help you prepare a menu with pricing options for your event.