It sounds tempting, especially in tough fiscal times: Hand over all the responsibility for food service management to a private company promising to provide nutritious and appetizing meals, keep up with increasingly complex regulations, and perhaps even make a profit. Privatization, or outsourcing, has worked well for some districts for years, but the mere mention of the dreaded "O" word may set off protests from employees, unions, and parents and divide the administrative staff. It's a tough decision for any district, but outsourcing may become more attractive because of the changing nature of the food service field. Kendley Davenport, a senior vice president for Sodexo School Services, said that nationally, nearly 20% of school districts use a private food service management company. This article emphasizes the importance for districts to be sure that they communicate their goals, understand the legal terms of the contract, and insist that their needs will be met before signing on. Tips for keeping one's bottom line in line are presented.