Clarifying role

Dear editor:
The article headlined “Fort High cafeteria not operating” (F.F. Times, Sept. 24) contained one statement, in particular, that I feel the need to correct and clarify.
Contrary to information given to the co-op student who wrote the article, I did not opt out of continuing to manage the cafeteria. I was never a manager—I was a contractor there for 13 years.
And I definitely did not opt out—I had no choice. The tender package that was published in 2011 contained 54 pages of rules, regulations, and restrictions, whereas the original contract contained three.
I had spent countless hours re-doing my menus and recipes to accommodate the healthy eating in schools guidelines, which I knew was going to be part of the new contract. But it was a waste of my time—there was so much more to it than that.
After carefully going over and over those 54 pages, I was forced to accept the fact that what was printed on those pages completely obliterated any chance I had of being able to continue to operate a viable business.
One I had enjoyed and had hoped would continue. I was now going to be unemployed, as were my five employees and the six students on my staff.
No one submitted a proposal at that time and obviously now, three years later, still no one has. The teacher hired to operate the cafeteria three years ago knew long before the contract was issued this spring that he wasn’t interested in continuing to try to operate the food service.
So why was this allowed to happen and not rectified? Obviously, those responsible for putting together the tender package had “gone overboard” and something needed to be done that would assure parents and students that there would be continued food service in the school.
Perhaps the powers that be need to consider hiring staff, as was done in the past, to provide food services in the school again? That way, all those rules and regulations that were deemed to be so vital can be followed, and people can be hired who have time to focus on operating a clean, safe kitchen and serving good food to the students of Fort High.
I think it’s important to make fresh food available throughout the day to our students—and I think everyone agrees? What messages are we giving young people about the importance of proper nutrition when the cafeteria now sits empty because of unrealistic expectations of the governing bodies?
In the meantime, students are paying the price.
(Signed),
Kathy Cuthbertson
Fort Frances, Ont.