School nutrition operator sentenced to jail for stealing chicken wings and more news you may have missed

Catch up on foodservice news you may have missed with 5 things with FSD, a new series from FoodService Director. Each week, FSD editors will share five things going on the industry so you can stay up to date with the latest news, stealable ideas, menu trends and more.

A cafeteria worker from Harvey School District 152 in Harvey, Illinois, has been sentenced to nine years behind bars after pleading guilty for stealing $1.5 million worth of chicken wings during the height of COVID-19 pandemic.

Vera Liddell placed hundreds of unauthorized food orders with the district’s foodservice supplier, Gordon Food Service, from 2020 to February 2022. She was caught due to a mid-year audit carried out by the district’s business manager at the start of 2022. The audit revealed that the nutrition department was already more than $300,000 over its annual budget at the midway point in the school year.

Read the full story via NBC Chicago.

Certain types of food dyes are on their way to becoming banned from school meals in California. A.B. 2316 would prevent Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2 and Green 3 from being used in food products served at school. The legislation has passed the state House and Senate and awaits Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature.

Read the full story from FoodService Director here.

A majority of Americans (65%) believe that more states should offer universal free meals at school, according to a survey by nonprofit GENYOUth. The survey also revealed that 60% percent of Americans believe that food insecurity among U.S. children should be a national priority. Currently, eight states offer free meals at school for all students, regardless of their family’s income.

Read the full story via GENYOUth.

The dining team at Florida International University in Miami has a new robot co-worker this school year. The Beastro Robot, created by Israeli company Kitchen Robotics, can take orders, cook and even clean up after itself.  It specializes in pasta dishes, stir frys and teriyakis.

Located inside the school’s 8th Street Campus Kitchen, students place their order via tablet and can choose from pre-selected dishes or create their own meal using the ingredients available which include broccoli, onion, peppers, beef, chicken and more.

Read the full story via Miami Herald.  

Hospital visitors and staff at WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital in Princeton, West Virginia were treated to a food truck event in the hospital’s parking lot earlier this week. Diners could select from an array of food options including barbecue from Bratz BBQ, a local barbecue joint known for its homemade sauce.

Read the full story via WVNSTV.