Food Services Fact Sheet  

On April 21, 2004, Kathy Glindmeier, PVUSD Director of Food Services, spoke to UPC about the county’s food handling regulations and how to comply with them. Here is some follow-up information from her office.

Note:  Ms. Glindmeier would be happy to meet with individual schools or small groups of parents to discuss these issues or other any other issues related to nutrition, childhood obesity, etc.  She may be reached at 602-493-6330 or kglindmeier@pvusd.k12.az.us.

PVUSD Food Vendors

How are food vendors selected?

PVUSD does a “food bid” every year in the spring.  (Bids are currently being accepted and will remain open until the end of May.)  The vendors get on the bid list by responding in writing to the bid.  (If you know of any vendors who are interested in being on our bid list, have them contact Sandy Rogers at 602-493-6330.)

What is the Quality and Nature of their Products?

The District views all of the new products during a daylong food-tasting event, attended by students, parents, food service staff, and dietetic interns.  Each person tasted the products and filled out an evaluation sheet.  Foods rated highly that met the district nutritional and budget guidelines were included on the bid list for next year.

Who are the vendors and how can schools purchase food from them?

Vendors include major brands such as Kellogg's and Tony's as well as a few local vendors.  For a complete list, call the Food Service Department at (602) 493-6330.  You can purchase food from the bid list through the cafeteria manager at your school.  The district will sell it at their food cost.  They typically need 7-10 days notice, ask that it be paid for when it is picked up, and ask that you work out storage space ahead of time (in some schools, meal counts are very high and storage is limited, but they usually work things out).

Nutrition Issues

How nutritious and healthy is the food available to our children through the PVUSD Food Service?

The district does not serve foods with either sugar or lard as the first ingredient in K-8 schools per the Governing Board Competitive Foods policy.  Foods available for purchase meet these guidelines, and also must be individually wrapped.  Unfortunately, organic foods are very expensive and beyond the food service budget.  The Food Service Department does not sell sodas in any of our schools K-12.  The high schools have soda machines on timers but do not sell soda during lunch.  Ms. Glindmeier said that Food Services is very concerned with childhood obesity and monitors all menus for nutritional content.

What more can be done to positively impact the health and weight of children in our district?

There is helpful information in each edition of the food service menus to educate parents and students.  Plus, the district is including more nutrition information in our health curriculum.  First, there is a dietetic internship in PVISD (one of two in the country based in a school district).  The interns teach nutrition in the after-school programs.  Second, Mountain Trails Middle School was one of eight in the state selected to pilot a nutrition curriculum this year.  Students will receive nutrition training in their math, science, foods, and PE classes.  Finally, food consumption is part of the childhood obesity equation but so is activity.  As a registered dietitian, Ms. Glindmeier said she has observed in her 17 years in schools that the amount of calories the students consume has stayed consistent, but that physical activity has decreased.  This is due to less activity during the school day and a lack of exercise after school and on weekends.  Also, she has observed that snacking has increased and family meals have decreased. Typically, snack foods are high in sugar and fat.  Increasing physical activity and decreasing snack foods will go a long way toward improving the health and weight of children.

Food Handler Cards

How can you seek a food handler’s card?

Food handler's cards can be obtained by calling Maricopa County at 602-867-1780.  The card costs $12.