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$500,000 Meal Deal is at Stake

Posted on: Friday, 28 October 2005, 15:01 CDT

By Rick Armon, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Oct. 28--CANTON -- Stark County officials appear headed for a big food fight as they decide who should get an annual contract worth more than $500,000 to provide meals for inmates at the county jail.

"The good news here is we've got some competition, and it's going to save the citizens of Stark County money," Sheriff's Maj. Michael McDonald said Thursday.

But there's also bad news. One company is asking the county commissioners to disqualify the low bidder because of, among other issues, nutritional lapses in its menu and how often beef patties are served each week. Thursday's commissioners' meeting included a brief conversation about whether grits are considered an entree or side dish, and talk about the food pyramid.

County officials -- who scratched their heads and admitted they aren't dietitians -- are predicting a lawsuit no matter who wins. Commissioners agreed Thursday to have county attorneys examine the bids to head off any legal trouble before possibly awarding the contract next week.

The food service companies vying for a one-year deal -- with two additional option years -- are Kellwell Food Management of Beattyville, Ky.; ABL Management Inc. of Baton Rouge, La.; Canteen Correctional Services of Charlotte, N.C.; and Aramark Corp. of Philadelphia.

ABL was the low bidder at 98 cents or 96 cents per meal, depending on whether the number of inmates is above or below 440.

About 1,400 meals are served at the jail each day.

County officials were prepared to award the contract to ABL -- which would save the county about $50,000 a year from what it pays now -- but Kellwell objected this week in writing. Kellwell, which bid $1.05 or $1.01, has been the food supplier for the Stark County Jail for 10 years.

ABL officials appeared at the commissioners' meeting to defend their bid and menu.

"We don't make errors when we make proposals," Vice President of Marketing David Fairbanks said.

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To see more of the Akron Beacon Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.ohio.com.

Copyright (c) 2005, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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RMK,

Source: Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)

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