Plainfield D202 To Part Ways With Aramark

PLAINFIELD, IL — Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 and Aramark are ending their relationship after 12 years.

The Pennsylvania-based food service provider's contract with District 202 is set to expire May 22. About 170 employees will be affected, District 202 spokesperson Linda Taylor told Patch.

The new provider, OrganicLife, out of Chicago, may hire the employees, which is common practice during transitions between food service providers, Taylor said.

Asked why Aramark lost the contract, Taylor said the provider submitted the highest-priced proposal, "coming in approximately $1 million higher than the district's recommended provider."

OrganicLife's estimated annual cost is $9.28 million, while Aramark quoted the district about $10.14 million, documents show.

"School districts in Illinois that outsource their food service programs and participate in the National School Lunch Program go through either a competitive bid process or a Request for Proposal (RFP) process," she said. "Recently, the district initiated an RFP process with the goal of enhancing the overall dining experience for students."

The district plans to transition to the new provider pending the recommendation of the business and operations department and approval by the Board of Education March 20.

"We are very excited about the opportunity to partner with OrganicLife, given their strong reputation and successful history within the market," the spokesperson wrote in an email to Patch. "We believe this transition will provide an enhanced dining experience for students while continuing to maintain high standards for food quality, customer service, and operational support across the district. The district is also committed to working closely with both providers to help ensure a smooth transition for students, families, and staff members."

OrganicLife is expected to begin districtwide meal service July 1. The company will continue providing breakfast and lunch through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program. There will be opportunities to expand into snacks and summer meal services, according to district documents.