HOUSTON, Texas — Lingering impacts of the pandemic are still on the menu in many school cafeterias.
"We’re still dealing with certain food item shortages,” said Fort Bend ISD Child Nutrition Executive Director Matt Antignolo.
He told us chicken products, in particular, remain challenging.
But shortages are not limited to what you can eat.
"Cutlery kits, styrofoam trays, what I would call traditional nacho boat food trays," said Antignolo. "We haven’t seen those in months or been able to get them.”
Klein ISD’s Food Services Division put out this message this week which told families that due to continued distributor and manufacturer shortages, some menu items would not be available at all campuses.
Meanwhile, Cy-Fair ISD said individually wrapped items are the most scarce.
According to a recent USDA survey, 92 percent of school meal programs are experiencing difficulties due to supply chain disruptions.
"It’s a combination of raw product and then the price of the raw product and then not having the people to manufacture the items that are needed,” said Antignolo.
He said whatever ends up in front of your child must still meet federal nutritional guidelines.
That means kitchens must also be creative.
“I think it’s going to get better, but I think we’re going to have to adjust,” said Antignolo.
Right now, there’s a push in Washington to extend pandemic school meal waivers which give districts federal funds and flexibilities to help cope with supply chain and labor issues.
You can read Cy-Fair ISD's full statement regarding issues below:
"Yes, we have experienced supply shortages, specifically with individually wrapped items; however, the impact has been minimal due to the capabilities of our internal Food Production Center. While substitutions may occasionally be necessary, we are able to prepare and present meals that fully comply with USDA nutritional requirements."
Houston ISD also issued a statement regarding supply chain issues:
"The Houston Independent School District Nutrition Services Department operates according to the United States Department of Agriculture and the Texas Department of Agricultures' guidelines and policies that govern the National School Breakfast, Lunch, Snack, and Child and Adult Care Feeding programs. HISD continues to serve nutritious breakfasts and lunches, including many student favorites.
Due to national supply chain shortage issues we have had to reduce the number of menu offerings and utilize USDA food item waivers to ensure we are serving reimbursable meals. These adjustments ensure our students continue to receive nutritious meals district wide."