Susan Benczkowski, regional manager of The Nutrition Group that provides food services to the Weatherly Area School District, gave a midyear update to the Weatherly Area School Board at the caucus meeting Wednesday.

“Katrina (Harrell, director of food and nutrition) is new to the district this year, and she’s done a fantastic job with the cafeteria program.”

Harrell expanded the food variety to the K through Grade 12 students and ran several student and family promotions.

She also ran several everyday nutrition promotions including Fruity Fridays, “Molly the Cow was just here,” and promoting fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy lifestyles among the students.

Promotions at the high school included students sampling the new shaved rib-eye cheesesteaks, Bavarian pretzel bits, and a steak and cheese hot pocket.

The Nutrition Group also met with students for their feedback on which foods they liked and which they did not. They started a Youth Advisory Council that consists of students from each grade level to “develop a cooperative relationship with students and gain their support of the food service program.”

Benczkowski said they estimated that 51.15% of the students are participating in the breakfast program, and 61.61% of the students participate in the lunch program.

Several areas that The Nutrition Group is looking improve an expand include increasing the à la carte menu items, expanding the breakfast program, and increasing lunch participation.

Benczkowski also noted that the rising food costs would result in a 5% increase in the budget for the 2025-26 school year.

“Katrina has done an excellent job of maintaining your food costs so we’re comfortable in saying that 5% is going to be the cap,” Benczkowskisaid.

Hers goal for the 2025-26 budget will be to capture all potential sources of revenue, minimize waste and control operating expenses.