As our nation's cash-strapped districts struggle to make ends meet, their need for federal and state dollars becomes increasingly important.

But in at least one district, Sodexo's meal counting errors have caused federal and state reimbursement money to be put on hold, putting their right to participate in the National School Lunch Program at risk.

Blue Ridge Unified School District, AZ

At the Blue Ridge Unified School District (AZ), the state's department of education identified problems with the Sodexo-run food service program, including food preparation, food storage, inventory control and controls regarding crediting of commodities to the district during the regular coordinated review effort (CRE) audit which took place November 15, 2005. The same visit uncovered problems with the district's meal counting and claiming system.

A year later, at the follow-up review, the district was still found to be in violation of this 'critical area violation,' and the Arizona Department of Education put their reimbursement money on hold.

In danger of losing their right to participate in the National School Lunch Program entirely, the district put their food service out to bid mid-year, and asked bidders how soon they could take over and how they could help rectify the situation. Sodexo was replaced by Southwest Foodservice Excellence in the spring.