US Foods driver strike leads to Detroit public schools food shortage

DETROIT (FOX 2) - Students in the Detroit Public Schools Community District currently have fewer meal choices amid a food shortage.

This shortage is a result of the US Foods driver strike, district officials said. US Foods is the district's main food distributor. 

The strike has lead to diminished food options, though the district says all students will still continue to receive breakfast and lunch at school. The district is currently looking for national, state, and local food vendors to provide basic meals during the food disruption. 

"We expect and hope for regular food access for meals within the next two weeks," Superintendent Nikolai Vitti said in a statement. "To be clear, all schools and all students will still be provided daily breakfast and lunch through a variety of different food choices until the District’s food supply chain is reestablished."

About 48,000 students attend Detroit public schools; it is the largest school district in Michigan.

Students' parents have voiced their dissatisfaction regarding the scarcity of food in Detroit schools.

"I'm kind of disgusted about that. That’s not right for the kids," said Dawn Badey, the mother of a Detroit sixth grader. "Let’s get these truckers back to work. Give them what they want so the kids can have what they want."

Board president Angelique Peterson-Mayberry sent FOX 2 the following statement Thursday afternoon:

"I was able to personally visit schools to confirm that the district is taking steps to guarantee that all students are properly fed and ready to learn. Despite the potential supply chain demand disruption, all DPSCD students will continue to receive breakfast and lunch daily."