Editor’s note: A version of this story first appeared in CityView’s education newsletter. Subscribe to receive it on Tuesdays along with our daily newsletter, which is sent mornings Sunday through Friday.
When the Cumberland County Board of Education approved a contract extension for fresh bread products during its April 14 meeting, there wasn’t much discussion.
District leaders recommended extending the district’s agreement with Franklin Bread Company to continue supplying fresh bread to school cafeterias throughout the 2026-27 school year.
According to district documents, the company agreed to extend the contract with no price changes, marking the fourth and final one-year extension permitted under the contract originally awarded in 2022.
But tucked inside the contract is a detailed look at just how much bread is needed to help feed one of North Carolina’s largest public school districts. Like the milk and ice cream the district serves students, it’s likely more than you might realize.
Historic purchasing estimates show Cumberland County Schools is expected to purchase 123,276 loaves of bread and packages of buns each month during the 2026-27 school year.
The original bid sheet lists an estimated contract total of $443,708.94 per month.
By the Monthly Numbers
- 78,820 packages of 16 whole grain hamburger buns| $298,727.80
- 23,210 packages of 16 whole grain hot dog buns | $87,965.90
- 19,046 loaves of white sandwich bread | $5,123.74
- 1,850 loaves of whole wheat sandwich bread | $4,976.50
- 340 packages of 12 white hamburger buns | $782
- 10 packages of 12 white hot dog buns | $23
Hamburger Buns Lead the Way
If one bread product dominates Cumberland County school cafeterias, it’s whole grain hamburger buns.
Contract estimates project schools will receive 78,820 packages of 16 whole grain hamburger buns each month, accounting for nearly 64% of all projected bread products purchased by the district.
Whole grain hot dog buns rank second at 23,210 packages of 16 per month, followed by 19,046 loaves of white sandwich bread.
Whole wheat sandwich bread accounts for another 1,850 loaves each month, while white hamburger buns and white hot dog buns make up only a small fraction of the district’s purchases.
The purchasing estimates reflect the district’s emphasis on whole grain products, with nearly every bread item served in cafeterias meeting whole grain-rich nutrition standards outlined in the contract specifications.
The contract extension also means schools will continue paying the same prices for bread products during the upcoming school year.
