District monitors lunch program after complaints

Several complaints have recently been levied against the Lake Roosevelt school lunch program.

Complaints include that the program is frequently running out of hot lunches, evidence of outdated milk and students finding hair in their food. The person complaining stated that kitchen workers are not wearing hair nets.

The issue was brought to the attention of Superintendent Paul Turner, who has been monitoring the lunch program.

Last week he reported that a check is made each day for the hot lunch entrée.

“Everyone doesn’t get the hot lunch entrée, and so we only prepare the number that is requested,” Turner stated. Apparently some either change their mind or go back for seconds, sometimes causing the program to run short.

A school official stated that this occurs more in the junior high lunch session.

Turner also stated that occasionally the supplier provides outdated milk, but as soon as it is detected it is sent back.

The school lunch program is highly monitored and follows a number of federal guidelines, Turner stated.

The district has the opportunity to serve as many as 700 lunches; however, a good number of students bring their own lunches.

Recently, the program was audited by the state and given a favorable rating.

Turner said Monday that he continues to observe the program. He stated that he has reviewed all the complaints listed with the food staff, and that he will continue to monitor the program.