Schools
New Food Services Director Hired for Wakefield Public Schools
Damon Mayers takes control of the schools' food services as the district enters its first year of a self-contained food service model.
School lunch at Wakefield's Public Schools may change a bit this school year, as Wakefield switches from one food service group to a self-contained program run by Damon Mayers, Wakefield's new Food Service Director.
Food services had previously been outsourced to Whitman’s Culinary Group. Mayers will be the first to run the school district’s new self-contained program.
The New Hire
Mayers, a UMass Amherst graduate with a degree in hotel restaurant and travel administration, boasts nearly 30 years of managerial experience in the food services, including long stints in public school districts. He has led school food service programs in Norwell, Brockton, and East Longmeadow.
Mayers has been working since June, but officially began full-time last week. He said he is happy to be in Wakefield.
“I’m looking forward to a strong and positive year,” he said. “When I come on board, I am for the kids, I am for the program, I am for the program’s success.”
A New Program
Mayers discussed some of the changes that will occur this year, but said that they won’t be dramatic. He said he'd like to simplify the menu slightly, ensure that students are receiving high-quality meals, and offer additional a la carte menu items.
“The transition is going smoothly,” he told the school committee on Tuesday night. “We’re developing menus as we speak.”
Mayers said that switching to a self-contained program can be challenging, comparing it to opening a new restaurant. There are a lot of little things that need to be considered to comprise a successful program, he said.
He added that he looks forward to working with the current staff, and will be soliciting their input.
A Hearty Welcome
School Committee Chair Lisa Butler said she was "really impressed" with Mayers' resume.
“You’ve done some great things in other locations," she said.
“We’re all pretty enthusiastic about self-contained model and we recognize you’ve got a job ahead of you,” School Committee Vice-Chair Tom Markham added. “We’re supportive of the direction and wish you nothing but success.”
