Sample meal box

The Carroll County Schools Nutrition Department is working with the vendor on the issues some have had with the delivery of the meal boxes offered to help with summer hunger.

Please contact the number inside the box if you receive meals that are out of temperature or crushed in the delivery process, said Nutrition Director Angela Adkins. Any meals that were damaged as of July 12-15 mailings, and the company has been notified, should be replaced with shelf stable boxes.

Today is the cut-off date for the final meal box shipment that will be delivered July 26 -29. A total of 23,180 breakfasts and 23,180 lunches will be delivered by the end of the month.

“We know there has been approximately a 10% fail rate due to temperature violations and crushed products that resulted in around 240 damaged and replaced boxes,” Adkins said.

The meals are purchased by the Carroll County Schools Food Service Department, which will file a claim with the state for reimbursement of meals. The company, not the school district, are responsible for that expense. “We did not offer the program to families to turn a profit, but wanted to offer something to help out with the requests and need for food during the summer months, yet let the food service staff receive a break.”

Adkins said all new programs have issues and this was no exception. “Carroll County Schools Nutrition Department has learned a great deal from this venture and, if able to offer this in the future, we will have more input on packing and the delivery of the meals,” she added.  

Please report any damage or issues to the number on the information sheet in the box. If you are unable to get through to them, feel free to contact Adkins or Lisa Payton @ 502-732-9362 and they will contact them on your behalf.