School Lunches To Cost More

The new school year will bring higher lunch prices as the School Board of Highlands County's Food and Nutrition Department contends with rising costs.

Lunch prices will increase 35 cents per meal effective on the first day of school (Aug. 18), which means lunches will increase from $1.75 to $2.10 at the elementary schools and from $2 to $2.35 at the middle and high schools.

This will be the second increase in less than a year since the last increase of 25 cents took effect on Nov. 8.

As with the last lunch price increase, the rising cost of fuel is a major reason.

According to the Food and Nutrition Department, some of the reasons for the price increase are:

• The increase in the price of fuel has had an impact on everything and that increase on cost is being added to the price of goods all across the board. Overall, the price of groceries is up 8 percent.

• Federally mandated nutrition requirements and local wellness policies require that more fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains are served in school meals. These items often cost more than other meal selections.

•Overall, labor rates and benefit costs have increased. Labor accounts for 50 percent of the food service budget.

Lunch price increases will not affect students who qualify for and receive free or reduced-price meals.

About 60 percent of the district's students qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Breakfasts will continue to be served throughout the district at no cost.