Area Schools Get School Lunch Settlement

Three area school districts are among nine that will be receiving a total of $1.6 million as part of a settlement with Islandia-based Whitsons Culinary Services over the National School Lunch Program.

Long Island Business News reported on Wednesday that East Quogue, East Hampton and Bridgehampton School districts were among nine school districts and four nonprofits that did not receive mandatory discounts from Whitsons Culinary Services.

In its article, LIBN quotes New York State Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman as saying that he is pleased to be able to get the schools their money back.

LIPB further reported that while Whitson's settled, the company has denied breaching contracts with the school districts and breaking state and federal law.

“It said if you had a contract with a school entity that used the National School Lunch Program, the district could opt for the rebates on food purchases to be refunded to the district,” said Holly Von Seggern, a spokeswoman for the Islandia-based company. “The wording is confusing. Whitsons is one of a dozen companies at least that interpreted it the way we did.” 

To read the full article, click here.