Sysco has accepted the bid to deliver food and supplies to Gilmer County Schools.
Gilmer and surrounding counties were left in the lurch when U.S. Foods did not renew its food delivery contracts in the K-12 sector.
Gilmer was notified by U.S. Foods Jan. 18 that it was not interested in renewing its contract. The partnership with Sysco was finalized June 16, ending a tumultuous five-month period for the school system.
“It was a very trying time,” said Gilmer County Schools’ nutrition director Patricia Partin.“We were just trying to figure out all of our options. Until we found out about Sysco, it was a very restless time. There were a lot of districts in north Georgia who were going through the same thing, and the state was getting involved to help as much as they could, but they can’t force a distributor to supply us.
“In this day and time, we’re blessed to be picked up by someone like Sysco.”
Gilmer joined with Pickens and Fannin to form the 515 Mountain Area Group, and Sysco showed initially interest May 26. The two parties spent the next three weeks fine-tuning the deal. Partin noted that each district will be able submit its own grocery and supply lists.
“We are our own customer, but we share the same food bid so it helps Sysco and it helps us,” Partin said. “We serve like items and like foods so it’s easier for Sysco to serve us because we are so similar.”
U.S. Foods will continue to deliver groceries to the district through the end of June, according to Partin. The district was on a conference call with Sysco Monday morning as the company continues to make sure it has all of the K-12 items needed to get the school year rolling with minimal hiccups
“They’re already supplying K-12 products to other customers, so they do have the same line and specifications as school lunches. They’re already familiar with that, and we will not have to sacrifice quality. If we have to substitute a product, it will be within the guidelines specified by the state.
“We’re excited because this is going to be a win for us, and Sysco will be providing us with the needs we have.”