Meal Service Contracts

Child nutrition programs that do not run their own food service operation must procure a meal service provider contract following Federal and State requirements. Initial contracts are established through a procurement process. Initial contact may be renewed for four additional one-year renewals. Procurement, contract and renewal templates are available on this page. Learn more about the different types of meal service contracts.

Find U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) memos in the left navigation menu.

  • Elimination of a Food Service Fund Deficit by Public Schools - 5/17/17
    This document outlines the requirement in Minnesota Statute for the Local Educational Agency (LEA) to eliminate food service fund deficits and clarifies how deficits are to be eliminated when the LEA contracts with a Food Service Management Company (FSMC)

New Meal Service Contracts

  • - 4/5/21
  • Request for Proposals (RFP) Template – Food Service Management Contract  - 2/18/21
    This template must be utilized for all food service management company solicitations to ensure free and open competition and that the school food authority (SFA) receives the best value for food service management company services.
  • Bid Point Calculator  - 12/21/20
    A spreadsheet that calculates the number of points that each proposal receives for the total price that was bid, and to document the total number of points awarded to each proposal after adding points for price and points for non-price criteria.
  • Joint Agreement Guidance  - 5/20/20
    Under a joint agreement separate Local Educational Authorities (LEAs) agree to operate school nutrition programs as one school food authority. This document explains what a joint agreement is and how LEAs can work cooperatively to operate school nutrition programs.
  • Joint Agreement Contract  - 5/20/20
    Required agreement format for a school providing School Nutrition Program meal services to a separate school.
  • Joint Agreement Checklist  - 5/14/20
    Use this checklist to discuss program which party will be responsible for school nutrition program operational tasks prior to formalizing a Joint Agreement Contract between Local Educational Authorities.
  • New Food Service Management Contracts  - 3/24/20
    Follow these instructions when procuring a new food service management company contract. MDE must approve the Request for Proposal prior to it being distributed and the awarded contract before execution.
  • Invitation for Bid Vended Meal Contract  - 7/1/19
    This template must be utilized for all vended school meal contracts to ensure free and open competition and that the school food authority (SFA) receives the best value for vended meals. The bid template documents include the Invitation for Bid/Vended Meals Contract, Attachment 3 and Attachment 4.
  • Food Service Management Contract - Fixed Meal Prices  - 4/29/19
    Required template for a food service management contract with fixed meal prices to meet School Nutrition Programs' requirements.
  • Procurement Description for Food Service Management Contract  - 4/25/19
    Form to document that procurement requirements were met in obtaining a food service management contract (FSMC) for a school participating in the School Nutrition Programs.
  • Agreement for Vended Meals Provided by a School Food Authority  - 7/31/17
  • Invitation for Bid Vended Meal Contract Attachment 4  - 6/22/16
  • Invitation for Bid Vended Meal Contract Attachment 3  - 6/22/16

Renewing Meal Service Contracts

Meal Service Contract Resources

  • - 3/31/21
    Companies known to be interested in bidding on contracts for vended meals (catering). This list is not inclusive of all vendors that may be available to bid on a contract. Inclusion on this list does not imply approval or recommendation by the Minnesota Department of Education.
  • Food Service Management Company Onsite Monitoring Form  - 2/8/21
    School Food Authorities with Food Service Management Contract are required to complete onsite monitoring of their FSMC may use this form comply with the requirement.
  • Food Service Management Companies Contact Information  - 12/28/20
    Companies known to have provided food service management for Child Nutrition programs in Minnesota, or other states, and are interested in bidding on contracts in Minnesota.