Chartwells wins the school meals contract, and families get a new way to pay

What happened

The School Committee awarded the student food service bid to Chartwells on May 27, 2026, then approved the Chartwells contract on June 15 subject to review by the state education department and the district's lawyer. Alongside it the committee approved a point of sale software update in April and, in March, expanded MySchoolBucks so more families can pay for meals online.

Why it matters to families

The food service company decides what is on the lunch tray every day, and the payment system decides how families put money on a child's account.

The evidence

The May 27, 2026 approved minutes record a 6-0 vote approving the Student Food Service Bid from Chartwells. The June 15, 2026 approved minutes record a 7-0 vote to approve the Chartwells Food Service contract 'pending review by RIDE and Legal Counsel'. The March 25, 2026 minutes record approval of the expansion of MySchoolBucks as a payment option for families, and the April 29 minutes record approval of a point of sale software update. The contract value is not recorded in the minutes.

The source