Food costs rising for Illinois institutions
SPRINGFIELD — The cost of providing food to Illinois’ prison inmates, aging veterans and developmentally disabled residents at state institutions is on pace to be up by $7 million this year, according to a review of state payments to vendors.
That’s more than a 10 percent increase over 2006, when the state spent about $64 million on everything from corn flakes to green beans.
Like most consumers, the higher costs for state government come at a time when the prices of other items also are on the rise. The Illinois Department of Corrections is trying to save money by not repairing cars and transportation officials have curtailed mowing and some other services during the latest budget crunch.
High food prices signal another potential flashpoint for a repeat of last year’s bitter overtime session, in which lawmakers and Gov. Rod Blagojevich sparred over state
spending.
To gauge how higher food prices have affected the state’s checkbook, the Illinois Department of Central Management Services compared prices for a select variety of items it purchases for the prison system and other state institutions.
The agency’s analysis, compiled over the past two weeks, shows what every grocery shopper has seen in recent months: The cost of a variety of foods has jumped.
For example, the price of an institutional size can of corn has increased 23.8 percent since 2007.
The cost of green beans has risen 16.3 percent and the cost of catsup has risen nearly
18 percent.
Because of the quantities purchased by the state — more than 4 million pounds of elbow macaroni were bought last year — those kinds of increases can mean serious dollars.
Not all products being purchased by the state have become more expensive. The agency’s random check of items found that the state has paid less this year for sugar and corn flakes.
In all, a sampling of items found an average hike of about 13 percent.
Suppliers say they are having a hard time dealing with the situation too.
M.J. Kellner Co. is one of the largest vendors when it comes to supplying food to the state. Jim Baumhardt, vice president of the Springfield-based company, said higher costs are due to a combination of ethanol production, higher fuel costs, rising prices for metal cans and the value of the U.S. dollar.
The food processing companies that M.J. Kellner buys its goods from are being cautious about offering their goods at levels that are too low.
“They are nervous to quote prices,” said Baumhardt. “We’re kind of in a ‘don’t know’ position right now.”
Company president and owner Bill Kellner said state officials have responded to the increases by switching up menu items to save money.
The Department of Corrections, for example, serves canned vegetables in place of fresh vegetables when produce isn’t available or is too expensive, said agency spokeswoman Januari Smith.
Prison kitchen workers might serve a dinner roll instead of 2 slices of bread in order to save money. If canned fruit is too expensive, prisoners might get a dish of gelatin with whipped topping, Smith said.
At the Department of Human Services, which manages residential facilities for the mentally and developmentally disabled, the department is trying to cut costs in other areas to make sure residents get their proper daily nutrition.
In addition, the agency is attempting to cut the amount of food that is thrown away, said spokesman Tom Green.
“Reducing food waste is also a large cost saver,” Green said. “This is accomplished by keeping accurate counts and preparing only the amounts needed.”
Kellner credits the state for being good financial stewards during the price hikes.
“They are watching the dollars very well,” Kellner said.
Kurt Erickson can be contacted at
(217) 789-0865 or kurt.erickson@lee.net.
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