Hinsdale School District's 'Food Is Good'

DARIEN, IL — The Hinsdale High School District board has extended its food service provider's contract by another school year, but a board member suggested going out to bid competitively after cafeteria renovations are finished. Lombard-based Quest Food Management Services has held the contract since 2014.

At last month's school board meeting, member Marty Turek suggested bidding out the contract because the new cafeterias may draw more companies to vie for the job. That's because the renovated facilities may provide efficiencies and economies of scale for the companies, ultimately benefiting the district, he said.

Another member, Kevin Camden, said no competitive bid process is needed for now.

"I have two students in the building, and I hear the food is good," Camden said.

He said Quest has been cooperative with the school district's construction manager, Pepper Construction.

"They have been very helpful to Pepper with respect to laying out the cafeterias and best practices," Camden said.

The cafeteria renovations are part of the $140 million approved by voters last April for improvements at the two high schools.