New Bedford Public Schools’ Central Kitchen Begins Operations
New Bedford, MA – New Bedford School Committee members, city and school officials and guests cut the ribbon today on New Bedford Public Schools’ new Culinary and Nutrition Center. Also known as the ‘Central Kitchen,’ it is centrally located on a 1.3-acre parcel at 453 North Street, New Bedford.
“The new Central Kitchen will allow us to deliver better meals to students more efficiently and consistently across the district,” Mayor Jon Mitchell said. “A strong foundation in nutrition is essential for students to succeed in the classroom.”
Superintendent Andrew O’Leary stated “This is a day of celebration for all city schools, all students, and the hard-working food services staff who finally have the facility they deserve. This facility shows what’s possible when we invest the maximum in our greatest asset, New Bedford’s young people.”
The 17,000 square foot facility features state-of-the-art equipment throughout, including:
- 1,218 sq. ft. refrigerated food preparation area where foods can be prepackaged for reheating or prepared in single-serve packaging
- Commercial 1,170 sq. ft. Walk-in Cooler with space for 44 pallets of food supplies
- Commercial 1,751 sq. ft. Walk-in Freezer with space for 68 pallets of frozen goods
- Blast Cooler to quickly lower food temperature
- Blast Freezer to quick-freeze prepared foods.
- Storage area with space for 65 pallets of dry goods
- Commercial Cook Kitchen featuring 40-gallon tilting skillets, 80-gallon kettle, and state of-the-art high efficiency Combination Ovens
- Loading dock for commercial and NBPS Food Services transport vehicles
- Off-street parking for visitor and staff parking
- A Retail Café, which is scheduled to open during SY2025-2026
Four years in the planning, the $14.7 million project was overseen by the New Bedford Public Schools’ Capital and Construction Standing Committee, Bruce J. Oliveira, chair.
Federal funding for the project was provided through the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSER) in the amount of $9.2 million, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and a municipal bond. Architectural Consulting Group, Inc. of New Bedford, Tower Construction and Habeeb Architects provided design and construction services.
Throughout the district amongst all schools this year New Bedford Public Schools Food and Nutrition Services provided 1,262,759 breakfast meals, 1,911,443 lunches, 198,322 snacks, 65,507 afterschool meals, 519,776 produce (part of the USDA's Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program), and 99,301 summer meals served last summer.