France-based Sodexho Alliance has signed a four-year, $100 million contract to provide foodservice operations to 99 Atlanta public schools, most of which begin their school year this week.
Sodexho’s U.S. subsidiary, Maryland-based Sodexho USA, began installation of its CrossRoads Cafe concept at Atlanta high schools and its Kids’ Way Cafe and Easy Download zone concepts at Atlanta elementary and middle schools last month in preparation for the students’ return.
Both programs are designed to bring a “mall food court” atmosphere, popular with U.S. students, to school cafeterias, Bonnie Goldstein, a spokesperson for Sodexho USA, told GlobalFax.
In administering the project for Atlanta public schools, Sodexho USA partnered with an Atlanta-based foodservice company, Jackmont Hospitality, which provided insight into local tastes and menu preferences, said Ms. Goldstein.
Cafeterias at Atlanta’s public schools will now offer a variety of lunch options, including a sandwich station, salad bar, gourmet pizzas and some ethnic foods. Overall food prices at the schools will not change, she added.
The Atlanta public school system initiated the bidding process for the foodservice contract in November 2002; the bid was awarded to Sodexho in mid-May.
Sodexho USA is also in charge of facilities management at Walton County schools and has accounts at Clark Atlanta University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, as well as with BellSouth Corp., Cox Enterprises and United Parcel Service Inc.
Nationwide, the company operates as foodservice and facilities management providers in more than 4,000 schools.
The Sodexho Alliance, through its subsidiaries, provides foodservice to schools and campuses around the world.
For more information, visit www.sodexhousa.com or contact Ms. Goldstein at (301) 987-4337.