Several vendors were taken into consideration and proposals were reviewed by the Child Nutrition committee. Cost, quality, service, and other factors were analyzed and references were contacted. After comparing all the options, the decision was made to enter a new contract with Taher, Inc.
Taher is a contract food service management company providing K-12 school lunch management. Dr. Andrea Rains, Executive Director of Federal Programs at Perry Schools, had the opportunity to visit with the company at a conference, sample some of their food, and watch children react to the food they were offered. Following that event, Taher sent a local chef to a recent school board meeting and he prepared an impressive spread of samples for the board members to try.
Taher is a privately owned company, established in 1981 by President and CEO Bruce Taher, and their philosophy is based on commitment to their partners, quality, service, health and nutrition. They also believe that every child has the right to a nutrition education, and plan to provide presentations to students to promote, encourage and educate on the benefits of healthy living.
Some of the other school districts in Oklahoma who use Taher include Dewey, Catoosa, Cascia Hall, Inola, and Rejoice Christian.
The company has already met with our local returning school cafeteria staff members to introduce their service, renew their employment agreements, and begin training for the upcoming school year.
Students will get more options and variety at every meal to help each unique child find something they like to eat. Rains says their presentation of food has been very pleasing to the eye and is especially excited about the expanded salad bar, which will offer more veggies and fruit.
With the change in food service provider, Perry Schools does not anticipate any increase to school meal prices this school year.
As the new school year approaches, the Child Nutrition department would like to remind parents that free and reduced lunch applications must be submitted every school year. If you were on free and reduced last year, a new application is required to continue receiving benefits.
For questions, please contact Dr. Andrea Rains at 580-336-3203.