RE: Increasing costs of school food
I was not at the meeting, and I know only what I've read today about the food cost overruns. Could be real losses, could be poor staff practices, could be theft -- I have no idea about our specifics in Chatham Schools.
However, through my day-job I am aware of a world-wide phenomenon that is certainly and clearly affecting Chatham. Food prices are on the rise everywhere. The global news magazine "The Economist" had a cover story a couple months ago, "The End of Cheap Food?"
Here's an informative article on the subject:
http://www.redorbit.com/news/business/1277797/food_prices_appear_likely_to_cause_more_pain_this_year/Basically, it says that increasing wealth in Asia (China, India, Viet Nam, etc.) is raising demand for food, which raises prices. Also, increasing energy costs are forcing producers and shippers to charge more for less product. Also, droughts and poor harvests around the world has decreased supply, which pushes-up prices.
Sorry to deflate the theory that this is yet another "tax hike."
Sincerely,
John Bonitz
