Figure 4. Top Challenges by District Size
Most Frequent Challenges (Percent in Top Two Ranking), by District Size
70%
61%
60%
58%
60%
54%
52%
50%
50%
38%
40%
36%
34%
32%
31%
30%
28%
30%
28%
25%
24%
23%
22%
20%20%
21%
18%
20%
18%
17%
10%
0%
Complexity of meal pattern regulatory requirements
Lack of alignment between local, state, and federal procurement rules
Poor vendor interest or retention
Insufficient or inaccessible training resources
Limited adoption or underutilization of software or technology for procurement
Lack of or inconsistent procurement forecasting at the distrct level
1,000 students or less
1,001-5,000 students
5,001-20,000 students
More than 20,000 students
Other respondent types indicated different challenges. School Business Officials were more likely (46%) to rank lack of rules alignment as one of their top two most frequent challenges than nutrition staff (35%). And rural SFAs (63%) and SFAs under 5,000 students (61%) struggled more with the complexity of meal pattern regulatory requirements than urban or large SFAs (51% and 52% respectively). Although all SFAs must follow applicable procurement rules, it’s possible that larger SFAs consider rules alignment a greater challenge because of both the greater complexity of purchasing food for more students and schools, and because they have sufficient staff to focus on meeting these requirements. Larger SFAs are also more likely to be doing more formal procurement, as more of their purchases will be over that threshold and thus have more rules to follow. As a contrast, small SFAs, who are more likely to have nutrition staff who juggle multiple roles, may be most frustrated by any perceived barriers to serving meals to students, like meeting meal pattern regulatory requirements. Respondents were asked to provide additional challenges that may not have been included in the ranked list. Answers included: bid writing, Buy American rules, and emergency procurement during natural disasters. Many respondents named a limited pool of interested vendors as another challenge, whether due to remoteness of the area or lack of vendor interest in participating in bids. Limited participation from vendors in procurement is a major concern, as it can keep schools from obtaining high-quality foods; limit the ability to compare prices; and reduce the variety of food products available. This survey revealed that limited vendor competition is a major challenge for rural schools, as might be expected, but that suburban and urban school districts are also increasingly facing the problem of insufficient vendor competition and interest. Overall, supply chain disruptions and high prices are greatly impacting what schools can and cannot procure, the timing of procurements and deliveries, daily cafeteria operations, staff well-being, and school nutrition programs’ bottom lines.
15 Procuring Good Food at School: From Contracts to Lunch Trays |
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