The Review
The Northeast Service Cooperative Newsletter - Spring 2017
NESC HIGHLIGHTS
NESC Board Member Recognized with Prestigious Honor
Julie has been on the Moose Lake School Board since January of 1991. Since that time she has been recognized by the MSBA with several awards including the MSBA Service Award, honoring her 20 years of service as a board member, the Directors' Award and the President's Award. Julie's efforts are seen not only in her community, but also across the state, where she continually makes an impact. We are proud to have her as a board member where her passion for making a difference shines.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
NESC to Promote Wellness at Iron Range Earth Fest
Earth Day - April 22
The Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC) is excited to join the many exhibitors and vendors that will be showcased at the annual event. We care about our members and promote Wellness Initiatives. Since "health" is an implicit goal in health care delivery, health promotion activities are important to our members, employer groups and the regional insurance pools. Our booth at the Mountain Iron Community Center will have information on member services and wellness initiatives, including how to make a mini garden salad using a colander.
Testimonial
CPC Does the Work for Members and Fulfils RFP Requirements
Food service staff across Minnesota are often asked to bite off more than they can chew. Students want great tasting food. Tight budgets demand great discounts.
Nikki Carpenter is not only the food service coordinator of her small school in far northeastern Minnesota, she’s the assistant business manager.
Her food service options were limited until she discovered Food Services of America (FSA) would deliver to the Northshore Community School through the Cooperative Purchasing Connection (CPC) contract available through her local service cooperative.
“The savings have been phenomenal,” she said. “We saved $10,000 in just one year!”
Every four years, the CPC completes the competitive solicitation process on behalf of its member schools in Minnesota. The process brings efficiency and discounted prices.
“Putting together quality Requests for Proposals (RFPs) is challenging,” says Lisa Truax, Bid and Contract Facilitator. Federal and state guidelines can be cumbersome. It’s our job to sort through the fine print and work with our schools to award to a quality vendor”
CPC is a joint powers group of eight service cooperatives in Minnesota. It brings our members efficiency and savings on a competitively solicited group of state and national purchasing contracts — including food.
Nikki used to do the bidding on her own and says she struggled with wrapping her head around the process. A few years ago, the Northeast Service Cooperative reached out to her about food. It started with bread and expanded to the entire menu. “I’m all about trying something new,” she said. “I thought, why not?” Nikki went on to talk about the relief of not having to bid. “You guys know how to follow the guidelines better than I do. You guys know what you’re doing.”
FSA was awarded the current RFP based on pricing and areas of service. The Fargo-based company not only provides a wide variety of great tasting products, it offers online ordering discounts and discounts for prompt payments. “I have been really happy with FSA,” Nikki said. “They answer my emails. They are responsive. Overall the drivers have been really good.”
Nikki says her new cook, Katie Hiivala, taught herself how to order online in no time! FSA now also offers a 5 week menu cycle designed to further simplify the process. It’s based around the top-selling items list and offers schools the deepest discounted savings.
“We designed the program to be understandable and effective to help guide the schools towards being compliant,” said FSA National Accounts Manager Mike Herzog. “We also used the items the schools submitted to CPC to make sure we were providing the great products the kids want!”
“I’m excited about the 5 week menu cycle,” Nikki told us. The cycle provides a formula for school food workers to determine how much, in cases, to order based on the number of students.
Nikki saved $3,600 on milk alone in one year. She saved another $6,500 in food! The savings in money allow her to dramatically cut down on canned fruit and increase fresh fruit. Her kids only eat canned fruit twice a month. Her savings in time also allow her to now have a school garden, which means they can also eat more fresh veggies!
For more information on becoming a member of the Northeast Service Cooperative or using a CPC contract, contact Suzi Ruper at 218-748-7604 or sruper@nesc.k12.mn.us. Connect to the CPC Website, now: http://www.purchasingconnection.org/.
New Vendor Opportunities
SAAFE "Stadium Steve"
H & B Specialized Products
Hiller Commercial Floors
SAAFE "Stadium Steve"
Seating And Athletic Facility Enterprises (SAAFE) offers Interkal telescopic seating including indoor bleacher equipment, installation, maintenance and repair services. As a value add to the CPC contract, SAAFE also offers outdoor aluminum bleachers and I-Beam grandstands from Southern Bleacher Company and pre-fabricated press boxes from ProBuild, based in Osakis, Minnesota. These products and services will be provided at consortium level discounted pricing.
H & B Specialized Products, Inc.
H & B Specialized Products, Inc. offers athletic equipment, wall mats and lockers. These products will be available to participating agencies at consortium level discounted pricing. Athletic equipment includes: badminton, basketball, futsal, handball, hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, tetherball and volleyball equipment. Bike racks, controllers, football goalposts, football/soccer combos, foul poles, gym divider curtains and sports cages are also available. Lockers are suitable for schools and law enforcement.
HIller Commercial Floors
Hiller Commercial Floors offers carpet, resilient flooring, accessories, and installation services. Cooperative Purchasing Connection members will choose from a wide assortment of popular products at consortium discounted pricing. With more than 65 years of experience, Hiller strives to make your floor covering purchase stress free from product selection to installation.
EDUCATION
2017 Senior High Knowledge Bowl
For more information on Student Programs, contact Kijo Pulford at kpulford@nesc.k12.mn.us.
Tier 1 Champions
First Place: Duluth East
Second Place: Hermantown
Third Place: Proctor
Tier 2 Champions
First Place: International Falls
Second Place: Cook County
Third Place: Virginia
Regional Centers of Excellence
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SAFETY
Don't Be Distristracted When Driving!
Outlined are three different types of distracted driving and how to avoid them, according to the Department of Motor Safety:
Manual: Anything that takes one or both hands off the wheel:
- Keep your phone out of your reach.
- Make all adjustments to your seat, steering wheel, mirror before you begin driving.
- Do not reach for items while driving.
Visual: When drivers take their eyes off the road:
- Keep your eyes on the road. Do not stare when there is an accident.
- Pull over to read directions.
- Put your phone on the "Do Not Disturb" mode.
Cognitive: Anything that takes your mind off of the road:
- Do not take phone calls, even hands-free.
- Focus on the road.
- Keep your emotions in check.
For more information about Environmental Health & Safety, contact:
Craig Honkola
Management Assistant – NESC
218-428-8675
safetyhonkola@nesc.k12.mn.us
Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA)
Email: Taylor.Wycoff@ieasafety.com
Website: http://www.ieasafety.com/
Phone: 218-410-9521
Northeast Service Cooperative
Email: mcox@nesc.k12.mn.us
Website: www.nesc.k12.mn.us
Location: 5525 Emerald Avenue, Mountain Iron, MN, United States
Phone: 218-741-0750
Twitter: @Paul_Brinkman