KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – After several years of delays, construction for a new district kitchen complex for the Kalamazoo Public Schools will soon be underway.
The project was included in a voter approved 2018 bond. The KPS Board of Education last month approved $8.5 million in purchase recommendations for the project.
The new district kitchen will be located on the site of the former Chime Elementary School at 6750 Chime Street. School officials say the 17,172-square-foot, state-of-the art commercial facility will provide central storage, distribution, production, and catering space for KPS Food Service.
The district provides approximately 6,500 breakfasts, 9,000 lunches, 400 dinners, and afternoon snacks for students each day. In addition, the district provides meals to Head Start, KRESA, and other area organizations.
The new facility will replace the district’s main kitchen at the Community Education Center, with more food preparation space and enhanced cooler and freezer storage to allow the district to take advantage of commodity shipments and strengthen its purchasing procedures, which school officials say will result in cost savings and reduced food waste.
The project was delayed due to supply chain issues for construction materials caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and challenges in acquiring a site for the
building.
Construction is expected to be completed early in 2026.
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