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Local businesses not happy with new school lunch bidding
Monday,
May 5, 2008
The decision by Sodexho, the company that’s taken over the School Lunch Program to allow off island companies to participate in bidding for the supply of school lunch items is causing local businesses some anxiety.
Whereas in the past only local companies have competed for the supply of the federally funded program, businesses who attended a pre bid meeting Friday and have seen the latest bid documents prepared by Sodexho say that the bidding is now open to off island companies as well. This applies not only to the supply of milk and juice but also meat, produce, canned and dry goods. General Manager of Panamex Pacific and President of the Chamber of Commerce David Robinson who attended the meeting say it will be very hard for local companies to compete with mainland firms.
(AUDIO)
Governor Togiola Tulafono said on his radio program Saturday that he was not aware that the School Lunch bidding had been opened up to off island companies. He did question how off island firms could compete in local bidding if they do not have licenses to do business in the territory.
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