CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Lunches at Clarksville-Montgomery County schools have looked a little different lately, with some students receiving just a hot dog and tortilla for their mid-day meal due to national supply chain issues.
The school district said the meal changes are beyond their control because of national problems affecting their vendor. But the resulting menu and the lack of options to deal with it have some parents outraged.
‘That’s not nourishment’
One CMCSS parent, Shavonda Fort, told Clarksville Now that when her high school student showed her a photo of what was being served at lunch, she was shocked.
“I thought that was ridiculous, and how it’s being served,” Fort said, adding that she’s now packing a lunch for her student. “I told him, ‘No more.'”
Another parent, David Cowger, said he wasn’t aware of the problem until his fifth-grader came home hungry and said he’d only eaten a hot dog that day.
“They are at school for seven hours. That’s not nourishment,” Fort said. “That’s a pre-K portion.”
Even if the meal is not enough for some students, Fort said they aren’t allowed to purchase second servings. Cowger added that their student was told he wasn’t allowed to share food with others who might not have the alternative option of a packed lunch.
“What about these kids that that’s the only meal that they have that day? And they have to wait until the next day, or that’s the only meal they have that Friday and they have to go through the whole entire weekend?” Fort asked.
Cowger shared those concerns.
“There’s a lot of kids who have their main meals at school and their parents – it’s sad – but their parents can’t afford nice lavish meals, or even decent ones sometimes,” Cowger said.
“I guess they’re saying that there’s a food shortage, and that’s their response to all the parents being upset,” he continued. “But how is that? Because we’ve got tons of restaurants, tons of grocery stores that you and I go to, and I’ve not seen anything posted like about a shortage of broccoli or a shortage of beef.”
Fort too believes there has to be a way around the problem.
“They can’t just use that (supply chain issues) as their excuse because, to me, you have a whole community that I’m sure will support you with your school system and supplying things that you need,” Fort said.
She added that with the agricultural production going on all around Montgomery County, it doesn’t make sense that there’s such a shortage.
“Why not just inform the parents so we’re not wondering why our kids are coming home hungry?” Cowger said.
District’s response
At Tuesday’s School Board meeting, Interim Director Angela Huff said the high-volume shortages and disruptions have created these unavoidable, last-minute menu changes.
“Menu selections may be unconventional, such as sides maybe not matching traditionally with entrees, or hamburger or hot dog buns being replaced with flat bread or wraps to house the meat in for the hamburger or hot dog,” Huff said.
She said these meals still meet federal standards. “Complete, USDA-approved meals are all still being served every day to no charge for our students and families,” Huff said.
She added that although CMCSS’ Child Nutrition department has existing contracts with the vendors dealing with sourcing issues, they are continuously exploring alternative suppliers and options.
“A major issue is that many of our vendors are not taking on new high-volume customers as they work to supply their current customers,” Huff continued.
She also addressed some of the parents’ points about grocery stores and other local supplies of food.
“For some, sourcing could be as simple as going to Kroger if Publix is out of something that they need, but the district serves over 150,000 meals a week, so sourcing locally is generally not a viable option,” Huff said.
No Door Dash to local schools
Many students and parents have tried another solution: ordering delivery to the school from Door Dash, Uber Eats, Jimmy John’s or others. CMCSS said this isn’t allowed.
At New Providence Middle School, Principal Scott Wainwright took to sending a notice out to families.
“Please note that meal deliveries for students from outside vendors cannot be accepted at school during school hours,” Wainwright said. “Students can bring a lunch from home, secure a free lunch from our school’s cafeteria, or parents/guardians can bring their student’s lunch to the front office.”
Anthony Johnson, chief communications officer for CMCSS, said the deliveries present safety and logistics concerns.
“With an average of around 1,200 students in our middle schools and 1,500 in our high schools, accommodating numerous third-party deliveries from people who may or may not know the student’s name, grade level, lunch period, etc. and may or may not arrive on time presents logistical concerns,” Johnson said.
“Additionally, this practice introduces numerous non-custodial visitors into the school environment, which presents safety concerns,” he said.
Not just lunches affected
Along with the shortage of lunch food items, the district is having trouble sourcing disposable trays and utensils. So instead, bagged lunches are being offered.
“Why don’t you guys just use the reusable trays that you can wash instead of the disposable ones?” Cowger asked. “That’s what I always grew up with.”
On top of the food issues, district is having trouble sourcing technology items like HVAC parts and bus maintenance parts.
“Sourcing computers and computer parts, that has been kind of difficult for us,” Huff said at Tuesday’s board meeting, adding that Chief Technology Officer David Holman is monitoring the problem.