Mokena school  district considering new food co-op

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Updated: February 25, 2012 8:02AM

Mokena School District 159 is considering joining a food cooperative that may take a bite out of current costs for the district’s lunch program.

Kirt Hendrick, director of business operations, and Ann Lewandowski, director of food services said the Northern Illinois Independent Purchasing Cooperative may give the district a better deal than it has with its present food purveyor, Gordon Food Service (GFS).

Hendrick said NIICP, which lists 84 members on its website (www.niicp.com), has about $40 million in purchasing power. He said that meant saving “real dollars on food costs and other things” in his former school district, Bradley School District 61 in Kankakee County.

Lewandowski said many of the items the district currently buys on a large scale are among the 800 items the co-op offers.

“We’d get some good buying power,” Lewandowski said. The district still would have the option to buy some non-co-op items, she said.

Hendrick said joining the co-op would be an annual decision. He said the district would “get back in savings” the annual fee of about $600.

The school board is expected to consider the plan at its Feb. 9 board meeting.