WOW. This is how it all started: check out item number 5. (also pasted it at the bottom of this entry) You will find upon careful reading, listed with the janitorial supplies, cabling and stationary,  the LAUSD food budget  is listed as cafeteria supplies, food processing and miscellaneous food products. (sounds delicious doesn’t it?)  And deeper still in this less than transparent budget  are the contracts for the protein and potato providers; Don Lee Farms for beef in California, Jennie-O turkey in  Minnesota, McCain Potatoes in Illinois and Tyson Foods for chicken in Arkansas. These 4 contracts total $$$ 284,450,000. dollars a year for our kids’ breakfast and lunch.

Now, take away Tyson -  which the board voted to do after  our intelligent and  emotional pleas  and concern over labor practices.This is stated in the board minutes:  “Amended to withdraw Procurement Services Division Contract No. 1100124 Tyson Foods, Inc.”

…and it looks  like  NOW there’s some wiggle room in the budget!

How about supporting the California economy with some of those dollars? How about some healthy whole foods in school lunches – don’t you see Mr LAUSD it’s not working! Processed food from other states is a waste of  time, energy and  most of all is hurtful to the health of our kids.

Now is a great time to  bust a move! So that’s what we’re gonna do. Please join us… more to come.

This is how the food budget is partially listed:
5.Board of Education Report No. 002 – 10/11

Procurement Services Division
(Procurement Actions) Recommends approval of all procurement actions above the State Competitive bid limit ($78,500) in accordance with applicable Education Code. There are six professional service agreements below the state bid limit totaling $846,925 for evaluation services, teaching services, tutoring services, academic support services, academic and college preparatory workshops, and technical and professional services. There is also one purchasing agreement for engines for power equipment and replacement parts for $211,454. There are eight professional
service agreements exceeding $250,000 for academic support services, occupational medical evaluations, contract for claims, outreach school services program, and after-school academic support totaling approximately $59.4 million. There are 76 purchasing agreements exceeding $250,000 for kitchen ware and utensils, miscellaneous food products, cafeteria supplies, public address and intercommunication systems, replacement and repair of networking equipment and cabling, stationary desktop supplies, student bus stamps, janitorial paper supplies, postage metering
equipment lease, food processing, and Public Broadcasting Service membership totaling approximately $481 million. This report also includes ratification items for 2,372 Book Purchase  Orders totaling $18,537,981.