The District 214 Board of Education on Thursday approved a contract with Quest Food Management Services to oversee the district’s food service operations, a move aimed at improving efficiency and enhancing the overall dining experience while maintaining all current district food service employees.
The decision follows an extensive review process prompted by the upcoming retirement of the district’s longtime food services director. A district committee, composed of administrators and stakeholders, conducted a thorough evaluation of three vendor proposals, including site visits, reference checks and financial analysis before selecting Quest as the best fit for District 214.
“This partnership provides additional industry expertise and resources to our dedicated, passionate and talented team of district food service team members,” said Associate Superintendent for Business Services Tim Keeley. “Quest has a strong track record of increasing student participation and streamlining food service programs, particularly in area high school districts similar to ours.”
Quest will introduce operational enhancements, including updated service models, improved meal customization options, and mechanisms to continuously gather student feedback to ensure the dining experience meets student needs and preferences. The transition will begin over the summer, with full implementation set for the start of the 2025-26 school year.