September 14, 2015—U.S.-based Quality of Life services provider Sodexo announced last month that it was awarded the Guam Department of Education Food and Nutrition Services contract, in partnership with Global Food Services (GFS), said to be Guam’s largest locally owned food and facilities company.
The new contract was awarded on the heels of Sodexo completing four previous years of service to the Guam Department of Education (GDOE). Price, value and menu options played an important role in the decision-making process, but GDOE also recognized the advantage in Sodexo developing a strategic partnership with GFS for the execution of the new contract.
“Every day, 30,000 students attending Guam’s 41 schools across four school districts rely on proper nutrition to ensure academic performance and achievement,” said Michael Schnitger, a district manager for Sodexo and resident of Ipan. “Our partnership with GFS supports our student nutrition efforts while also significantly supporting local communities and businesses.”
Under the new contract, Sodexo and GFS will continue to employ over 150 local residents. In addition, the team will grow or maintain partnerships with more than 20 local companies to provide employee benefits, goods and services to the community.
Enhancing services to the children in the district is likewise important, notes Sodexo. The company will have a new menu that offers a blend of local dishes and other healthy options that meet the guidelines of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act . It also will actively seek out opportunities to increase the use of locally grown and sustainable products that meet the needs of the program.
