Montgomery ES receives food service upgrade for Bearcat students

Originally built to serve middle school students, Montgomery ES has been in need of an updated food distribution line for several years. Thanks to the resourceful management and planning of Montgomery ISD’s Child Nutrition department, the need for a more efficient and student-friendly experience came true over the winter break.

On a typical school morning, lines would be stretched through the length of the cafeteria. As Montgomery ES Bearcats came for breakfast this morning, the lines were shorter, the students were served more efficiently, and each child was able reach the self-serve items they desired.

“This is not only a beautiful new display that will provide a warm and inviting atmosphere for meal time,” Principal Bobby Ingalls said. “Being more efficient, it will give the students more time to sit and enjoy their meal, while also allowing our littlest learners to be served more easily, able to reach and see the food selections.”

Director of Child Nutrition, Lena Neugebauer, and Assistant Director Krista Scott, have been budgeting for this need and began the planning and development of this upgrade in the summer of 2021. Working with Chrane Foodservice Solutions on design, as well as ModuServe and Kommercial Kitchens for implementation, the former food line was demoed and the new install completed in just three days during our district’s winter break.

“The design and the details are not only more efficient for our students and staff,” Scott said. “The waterless wells and upgraded design are more cost effective, energy efficient, safer for our staff and will require less time when our employees clean up after each meal service.”

Montgomery ES serves about 350 breakfasts and over 400 lunches each day, making them the campus in Montgomery ISD that serves the highest percentage of their student population. This improvement to the service line will benefit them for many years to come.

“This is a big project for our Child Nutrition department,” Neugebauer said. “Serving our students nutritious meals is our top priority in contributing to their ability to learn each day, but it’s also very important that we do so in the most streamlined way possible. Seeing the efficiency and ease for the students this morning makes it worth every bit of the effort!”