CHAMPION Former workers offer ideas for savings

CHAMPION -- The Trumbull Career and Technical Center board will consider proposals from former cafeteria staff members to cut expenses and increase revenue.
The board cut all five cafeteria positions at the end of the school year, citing an operating deficit in that department. Jerry Gorgie, supervisor of facilities, said some members of the cafeteria staff made a proposal at Thursday's board meeting to eliminate the cafeteria operation's deficit.
The board listened to the recommendations but didn't take action, saying it would take the suggestions under advisement.
"They visited other cafeterias that operate in the black," Gorgie said.
Suggestions included streamlining cafeteria offerings.
"We tried to be everything to everyone in the past," he said.
That increased supply costs. Offering only some regular menu items and an a la carte menu may decrease those costs, the workers proposed.
Other ideas: The cafeteria also served each of its selections in separate bowls. Opting for a tray with compartments for each lunch instead would trim the expenses, the workers suggested. Gorgie said the trays cost about 3 cents each.
The workers suggested stocking vending machines with food items to appeal to groups and individuals using the school building after school hours. They also proposed offering a meals-to-go program of lunchtime leftovers to teachers and school employees after the work day. Another suggestion was having the cafeteria staff cater gatherings of school staff where they'd normally order a pizza or other food to be brought in.