SR-205-003 (207)
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Santa t1onica, Callfornla, June 19,1981 ;,JUM23 1931
TO' Mayor and Clty Council
FROM: Senlor Cltizens' Nutrltion Advisory Councll
SUBJECT: Recommendation to Award B,d #1592
Introduction
The Senior Citlzens' Nutrltion Advisory Council has reviewed the bid's
received for providlng meal service to the Senior Citizens' Nutritlon
and Recreation Program for the 1981-82 fiscal year.
After reviewing the bids and other consideratlons, the Nutritlon Advisory
Council (NAC) passed the following motlon. "Recommend to the Santa Monica
City Council to accept the Brunner's bid of $2.35 which lncludes the
coffee, tea, etc." Motion passed 8 Yes and 1 Abstention.
Background
The NAC has played an important role this year in asslsting the Clty Staff
in developlng the 1981-82 budget, reviewlng meal service bid speeifleatlons
and selectlon of menus. Proposal packages were mailed to sixty-one (61)
food service companies and notlces were advertised for the bld opening
on June 9. The NAC met on Wednesday, June 10, to review the two offielal
blds received. It was determined that an inspectlon of the faci11ties of
each of the vendors was necessary prior to any decision being made by the
NAC. Arrangements were made for members of the NAC and staff to visit
Sorensen's kltchen on Tuesday, June 16, and Brunner's on Thursday, June 18.
Anot~er meetlng of the NAC was set for Friday, June 19, in order to review
the findlngs and make recommendatlons.
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JUN 2 3 19B1
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Santa Monica, Callfornia, June 19, 1981
The followlng items were taken into conslderation ln making the recommendation
to accept Brunner's bid of $2.35 over the low bidder, Sorensen's Caterlng
at $2.28.
1. Experience: Brunner's has been serving meals to other nutrition programs
over the past years. They will be serving meals to four other projects
thlS coming year (Torrance, Carson, Gardena and Valley). Sorensen's
Catering is an old establlshed flrffi since 1942. However, the present
owners purchased the buslness 6 months ago and have no experlence at
providing lnstltutional meals. Baslcally, they cater to weddlngs and
receptions.
2. Kitchen: Brunner's kitchen is presently better equipped to prepare the
meals for the program than is Sorensen's. (See attached letter from
Project Nutritlonist.)
3. Quality of Food: Both companles submitted menus which required revision
after review by the project nutrltionist. Unfortunately, only a salad
was available for tasting at Sorensen's on the day of the vlsit.
Brunner's has been providlng meals for the proJect durlng the last
few weeks and thelr meals have generally proved to be acceptable.
4. Cost of Meals: Based on the proJected budget submltted to the Area Agency
on Aging, the following information was considered regarding certain
llne items.
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Santa Monlca, California, June 19, 1981
Projected Budget Brunner's Bid Sorensen's Bld
Food Cost
Estimated at 52.35 Si140,974 S140,974 $136,775
City Contrlbution 10,040 10,040 8,840
Sr. Cltizen Suggested
Donatlon .95~ .%.: .90~
Based on the bids submitted, the present suggested donation level of
.90~ would not have to change if Sorensen's bid were accepted. Also,
the City's level of contribution could be reduced by $1,200 to 58,840.
If Brunner's bid of $2.35 is accepted, the suggested donatlon level
would have to be 1ncreased to .95" and the Clty'S contributlon would
be the same as th1S year - $10,040. Previous NAC action to balance
budget had approved suggested donatlon increase of up to $1.00.
After all of these ltems were taken into conslderation, the NAC was of
the op1nion that it was in the best interest of the Senior Citizens
that Brunner's bld of $2.35 per meal be recommended to the City Councll
for acceptance.
Recommendation
It 1S recommended that the C1ty Council accept the bid of Brunner's of
Beverly, Inc. @ $2.35 to provide meal service for the 1981-82 f1scal
year to the Sen10r Citizens' Nutritlon and Recreat10n Program.
Prepared by: Donald T. Arnett, Dlrector
Recreatlon and Parks
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June 16, 1981
To'
Linda O'Neill, Project DIrector
From.
AI ita Buck, M.A., Project Nutritionist
Re:
Examination of Proposed Caterer's Facility
Sorensen Catering Inc.
7323 South Main Street
Los Angeles, CA 90003
Today, members from the Santa Monica Senior Nutrition Program, Program
Director Linda O'Neill, and myself visited Sorensen Catering Inc. in
order to evaluate their abil ity to provide meals to the Santa Monica
Senior Nutrition Program.
After that viSitation r, Al Ita Buck, will not give my approval of the
Sorensen kitchen until the following sanitation procedures have been
corrected to meet the City of Santa Monica's obI ,gatlon to the County
of Los Angeles (see Assessment of Dietetics and Food Service
Title I ll-C Nutrition Program).
1. Sorensen is not set up to provide instItutional meals. Large-
quantity cooking equipment is inadequate. Small-batch cooking
will be required.
2. Existing kitchen is In need of a good cleaning. Mixer had a
buildup of dried food on it (violation of Section 28561 of the
California Restaurant Act).
3. Not enough food production tables and SInks available which are
National Sanitation Foundation approved. There must be separate
Sinks for cleaning of fresh fruits and vegetables and washing and
sanitiZing of pots and pans (violation of Section 28553 of the
Cal ifornia Restaurant Act).
4. Foods In the walk-In refrigerators were stored on the floor
(violation of Section 28573 of the California Restaurant Act).
It is my profeSSIonal opinion that Sorensen is inexperienced in the
area of institutional food preparation and catering. However, WIth
time, patience, and correction of the above violations of the
California Restaurant Act, they could prove to be a very good caterer
for the Senior Nutrition Program.
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