Polk County Public Schools, Community
Our Foodservice program is the pinnacle of nutritional integrity and team-oriented service that positively influences students’ lives.
Meal components, as well as a la carte items, are selected so that the nutritional integrity of the program may be maintained at its current high level.
Click here to view Foodservice contact information.
Operating Budget: $38,000,000
Purchased Food Budget: 16,000,000
Student Enrollment: 90,000
Lunches Served Daily:55,000
Breakfasts Served Daily: 25,000
A La Carte Lunch Equivalents Daily: 8,500
Cafeteria Sites: 107
All items are purchased through the competitive bid process. Bid specifications are submitted by the School Foodservice department to the Purchasing Department. The Purchasing Department prepares the bids according to School Board Policy, State Board Rules, Florida Statues and Federal Law. The Purchasing Department solicits bids, sets time frames and opens bids. Bidders must have an approved application on file in the Purchasing Department prior to receiving an invitation to bid. Bid items are purchased only from vendors who have been awarded items for the appropriate bid cycle. A vendor application may be obtained by calling 863-534-0573. Bid documents and vendor applications are also available on our website www.polk-fl.net by selecting district office Þbusiness servicesÞpurchasing department.
All food items are tested by students. During each school year students are given the opportunity to test new food products. Product and nutritional information must be submitted to the Foodservice Department prior to being approved to participate in a taste test. Food items are prepared and served by foodservice employees. Vendors, brokers or manufacturer’s representatives are not permitted to attend the taste test.
Items to be tested must be delivered in a full case, standard pack with approved label attached. Items to be tested should be delivered to: Polk County Schools, Warehouse & Distribution Center, 965 Highway 60 East, Bartow, Florida 33830, Attention: Greg White. Food samples will not be accepted at the district office.
Approved items will be noted on official bid document.
After bid has been awarded, food items are randomly selected for testing at an independent laboratory to verify nutritional information. Companies submitting food items that do not meet nutritional requirements or nutritional claims of documentation will be removed from the approved brands list.
Food items are randomly selected for grading by USDA. Foods that do not meet the quality that was specified in the bid document will be picked up and replaced at the bidder’s expense.
Food items defined as having minimum nutritional value are not offered. This includes soda water, water ices, chewing gum, hard candy, jellies and gums (gum drops) marshmallow candies, fondant, licorice, spun candy, or candy coated popcorn.
Chemicals, Paper Supplies, & Small Equipment are evaluated each year by a committee of Foodservice Managers.
Foodservice uniforms are provided to over 850 foodservice employees each year. Each employee receives four uniforms annually. In addition to the start up order each spring, new employees are outfitted throughout the year. Uniform styles are selected by the uniform committee each year.
Large equipment must be approved by the Foodservice Department with input from the Maintenance Department.
Polk County Schools participate in approved promotional activities.