The West Aurora School District 129 board recently voted unanimously to renew the district’s food service contract with Chicago-based OrganicLife for the 2025-26 school year.
OrganicLife has been the district’s food service provider for the past six years.
The new contract with OrganicLife has an increase in cost of 3.6% based on the Consumer Price Index, West Aurora School District Associate Superintendent Angie Smith said.
West Aurora students do receive free breakfast and lunch. However, they do pay for a la cart items in the cafeteria. Those prices are not going up, Smith said.
“All students in our district receive a free breakfast and lunch daily as we are covered by the Community Eligibility Provision of the National School Lunch Program. Students only pay for a la carte items or second meals and we are not increasing those prices,” Smith said.
The district overall is pleased with its food service provider, she said.
“OrganicLife is an amazing partner who continues to look for ways to better support our students. As an example, this year we met with student groups and got some feedback on increasing awareness and availability of plant-based options. At the elementary level, we have tested offering hot breakfast items as part of our menu and will roll that out to all buildings next year,” Smith said.
“We welcome feedback and OrganicLife has always been responsive and provided options and solutions for our students,” she said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
