Lindbergh High School Making Changes to Lunch Program

students returning from spring break will have more choices for lunch at the district’s “largest restaurant,” according to school officials.

The school’s lunch program will be updated with more food choices for students and the installation of new serving stations within the school’s cafeteria, Lindbergh Chief Financial Officer Pat Lanane reported to the Lindbergh School Board during its Tuesday meeting.

“Food service for our school district has always been an extremely challenging endeavor,” Lanane said. He characterized the school’s lunch program as the largest restaurant in the 28-square-mile Lindbergh district.

The program generates $1.5 million in revenue and, unlike other school districts, is not supported through tax dollars.

Lanane said the program’s business model is to break even, but noted “with a restaurant model we must stay new with fresh ideas.” The district contracts with the private company Chartwells to oversee its food program’s operation.

Chartwells Regional Marketing Director Lisa Catron said those ideas include made to order sandwiches, wraps, salads; toasted sandwiches, such as a panini; combination meals served in a bowl; calzones and quiches; along with additional vegetables at a salad bar.

The latest additions will build upon the successful “Wall Mall”—a snack bar—and Mexican fare, Lanane said.

Funding for the new additions will stem from $50,000 budgeted within the district’s contract with Chartwells for upgrades. Chartwells will also provided an additional $25,000 during the next two school years.

“We’ve very excited,” Lanane said. “We don’t often get a chance like this opportunity to make real improvements in the atmosphere, real improvements in the offerings, and real improvements in the bottom line.”

Lindbergh Board President Vic Lenz also praised the additions from Chartwells, saying “over the last 11, 12 years I’ve been here I have seen an evolution of the cafeteria services … It’s a great concept.”