Commissioners vote to change Buffalo County Jail food provider

KEARNEY, NE — The Buffalo County Jail is getting a new food provider.

The Buffalo County Commissioners voted 6-0 Tuesday morning to accept a bid from Summit Food Service of Sioux Falls, SD. According to Buffalo County Sheriff Chief Deputy Dan Schleusener, Summit’s bid came in 21% under the bid from the previous provider.

Consolidated Correctional Food Service of Des Moines, IA had been the food provider for the jail since 2012. The company hadn’t raised prices since 2019 until doing so this year, prompting the Sheriff’s Office to explore other options. Summit and Consolidated both mailed in proposals and offered presentations to the Sheriff’s Office.

Schleusener says the cost of the contract with Summit will fluctuate based on the jail population. Assuming an average of 150 inmates, the yearly cost will be $357,243 for providing three meals a day. That equates to $2.18 per meal, which is an increase from the current cost. The contract is for one year and can be renewed on a yearly basis after that.