KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Public Schools will mark the opening of their new district kitchen with a ribbon-cutting and an open house this Thursday.
School officials says the 17,172-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, located at the site of the former Chime Elementary School, will provide central storage, distribution, production, and catering space for KPS Food Service.
The district provides approximately 6,500 breakfasts, 9,000 lunches, 400 dinners, and afternoon snacks for students each day. In addition, the district provides meals to Head Start, KRESA, and other area organizations.
The new facility replaces the district’s main kitchen at the Community Education Center.
The new kitchen is part of a strategy for the district to provide fresher, higher-quality, and more consistent food options for students. The new facility has more food preparation space and enhanced cooler and freezer storage, allowing the district to take advantage of commodity shipments and strengthen its purchasing procedures, resulting in cost savings and reduced food waste.
Initially included in the district’s 2018 bond, the project was delayed due to COVID-19-related supply chain issues for construction materials and challenges in acquiring a site for the building.
The ribbon cutting will take place at 10:00 a.m., followed by an open house until 12:00 p.m. at the facility at 6750 Chime Street.
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