MEETING DATE:
JUNE 14, 2016
SUBJECT:
Title
RESOLUTION NO. 2016-8208 - SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER NUTRITION CONTRACT
Body
Recommendation
Recommendation
ADOPT a resolution approving the Senior Center Nutrition Contract with Kitchens For Good.
Body
Board or Commission Action
Not applicable
Relevant Council Strategic Theme
Quality of Life
Relevant Department Goal
Not applicable
Introduction
The City of San Marcos Senior Activity Center has been serving lunches for over 20 years to persons 60 years of age and older through the federally funded Older Americans Act’s Senior Nutrition Program (Program). The Program was established with the basic idea that good nutrition is needed to maintain healthy bodies and an active interest in life. Program meals are served at the Senior Activity Center’s “Discovery Café,” where seniors experience social interaction and camaraderie while eating a nutritious meal.
Meal guidelines are developed through the Older Americans Act. A nutritionist contracted through the County of San Diego’s Health and Human Services Agency, Aging and Independence Services organization (AIS) works closely with City staff and the contracted provider to provide meals that are designed to meet the dietary needs of seniors. During the past three years, our Program has served approximately 36,000 meals.
Since July 2015, the Program has been served by Essenco, Inc. In February of this year, the City issued a request for proposals (RFP) to provide meal preparation services under the Program to better meet the needs and dietary requests of our residents. The components of the RFP included general and background information relating to the Program, a description of the nature of services provided, proposal and submittal requirements, and evaluation and selection procedures. After reviewing the materials submitted through the RFP process and conducting interviews and reference checks, staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution awarding the Agreement for Senior Center Meal Preparation Services to Kitchens For Good.
Discussion
Considering the wide-array of affordable but not so healthy restaurants targeting seniors, the Senior Activity Center set forth a goal to rebrand, improve and expand the Discovery Café to appeal to a broader senior audience. Through the RFP process, staff solicited a new vendor willing and committed to partner with us to accomplish our goals. The city sought a caterer that shares the philosophy that a senior’s well-being and longevity is helped by having accessible, affordable, and nutritious meals provided in an inviting congregate setting. In addition, the results of a customer satisfaction survey indicated that our customers are looking for healthier, less processed meal options. The City of Encinitas experienced similar challenges with their nutrition program, but saw a marked improvement and great success since contracting with Kitchens For Good.
Adopting the attached Resolution to Kitchens For Good will allow a nutritionist contracted through AIS to work with City staff and Kitchens For Good to provide meals that are designed to meet the dietary needs of seniors. Menus will be developed in accordance with the nutritional guidelines established by the AIS, and the health and safety standards of Title III of the Older Americans Act, the National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Kitchens For Good will prepare all meals at its facilities, and City staff will pick up the meals from Kitchens For Good and deliver them to the City. The term of the Agreement is one (1) year, with an option for the City Manager to extend the Agreement for two (2) additional one (1) year periods based on satisfactory review of Kitchen for Good’s performance, City needs, and the appropriation of funds by the City Council. Essenco will continue to provide meals under the Program until July 1, 2016 and the agreement with Kitchens For Good is executed. At no point will the City be paying both the Essenco, Inc. and Kitchens For Good to prepare meals for the Program.
Fiscal Impact
The total annual contract amount is not-to-exceed $70,000. The Program is supplemented by a County of San Diego grant through AIS. Additionally, participating seniors 60 years of age and older are asked to make a suggested monetary donation of $4.00 per meal, and those persons 59 years of age and younger are required to pay $5.00 per meal. Sufficient funding for the Program is included in the City’s proposed FY16-17 budget.
Attachment(s)
Resolution 2016-XXXX
Nutrition Contract with Kitchens For Good
Prepared by: Brenda Sylvia, Community Services Program Manager
Reviewed by: Buck Martin, Community Services Director
Approved by: Jack Griffin, City Manager