After months of legal wrangling, North Shore School District 112 provided the Pioneer Press with a summary of its internal investigation into the 2025 food service bid that sparked an ISBE reprimand.
The findings of the investigation, based on the summary, are fairly mundane, with the district concluding there were some issues with the request-for-proposals (RFP) process but finding “no evidence of malintent or collusion by the District,” largely reflecting sentiments previously expressed publicly by district leadership.
Asked about the initial denial of the release of the investigation’s findings, a district statement said its handling “reflected legal guidance at the time and an understanding of the appropriate process to follow.”
A year on from the controversy, and with a new food vendor contract already underway, the involved parties seem ready to move on.
The issue began last year when OrganicLife, the district’s longtime food vendor, protested the district awarding a new contract to competitor Quest Food Management, alleging various issues with the RFP process, including accusing Quest of attempting to bribe a district administrator.
Its protest found purchase with the Illinois State Board of Education, which ordered the district to cancel its planned contract with Quest and enter into an emergency one-year contract with OrganicLife.
Then-superintendent Michael Lubelfeld pledged the district would conduct an internal investigation. Following the controversy, Jeremy Davis, the district’s business superintendent who had led the RFP, put in his resignation.
While the district has refrained from giving comments about Davis, it had previously defended him, at least behind the scenes. In letters obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request to the ISBE, lawyers with the district had pushed back on OrganicLife’s “unfounded” allegations.
Separately, the Del Galdo Law Group, saying it was representing Davis, sent a letter to the ISBE criticizing the decision to rescind the food vendor contract approval and levy allegations against Davis after having made “no inquiry” of Davis or providing him an opportunity to defend himself. The ISBE’s letter perpetuated the spread of “false information,” it said.
And in an internal email from Lubelfeld accepting Davis’ resignation, he said it had “been a pleasure to work with you during your time here,” and that he appreciated “all that you have to offer, and I am thankful that you have chosen to serve here in District 112.”
This year, D112, having concluded the investigation and made changes to its RFP process, once again selected Quest over OrganicLife. A second challenge from OrganicLife, again alleging abnormalities with the RFP process, did not receive any response from ISBE, and the new contract ultimately went forward.
But despite the investigation’s conclusion, the district denied a FOIA request, citing attorney-client privilege, and district leadership declined to provide more information for several months. Legal representatives with the district later agreed to release a summary of the investigation’s findings.
OrganicLife, in response to a request for comment regarding the investigation’s findings, said it was remaining “focused on supporting our district partners and always standing up for the best interests of the students we serve.”
“We believe great school meals can make a meaningful difference in a student’s day. Districts across Illinois and beyond continue to select OrganicLife because of our talented culinary teams, personalized approach and experienced chefs who work directly in schools to prepare fresh, made-from-scratch meals students enjoy. This approach increases student participation and delivers meaningful value to school districts,” the statement said.
Nick Saccaro, CEO of Quest, said in a statement that it was “honored” to be selected for the new food vendor contract.
“Our approach starts with listening and understanding what matters most to each community we serve,” Saccaro said. “Together, we look forward to creating a dining program that reflects District 112’s priorities, delivers fresh, high-quality meals, and drives greater student excitement and participation.”
In a statement, D112 highlighted the expansion of its food service, with students at eight schools getting access to breakfast and lunch through a districtwide food service program, with Braeside to receive the same service when renovations are complete.
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“We are looking forward to seeing the program take shape across the District,” D112 said in a statement. “This is an important new service for our students and families, and our focus now is on working with Quest Food Management Services to make the launch successful and build a strong program for the years ahead.”