Price Of School Lunches May Increase
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As students get ready for a care-free summer, parents in Hardin County could have a new worry for the next school year – rising lunch costs. School officials told 7 Eyewitness News about 65 percent of Hardin County students qualify for free or reduce-priced meals. If the school board votes for the increase Monday night, the other 35 percent will be paying more to eat the school food next year. It has been 15 years since Hardin County schools have raised their food prices, and school officials said they cannot keep them the same any longer. They blame higher food prices and the cost of delivery. “The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, that was passed in 2010, has a component of it called the paid lunch equity, which requires us to raise our prices charged to our paid children at lunch,” said Cheryl Cochran, Director of Hardin County Schools Nutrition Program. Lunch prices will increase 25 cents. That is $1.50 for Pre-K through 5th graders, and $1.75 for middle and high school students. “And then our breakfast meals, we propose that those go up across the board to $1 for our paid children, and they’re currently paying 60 cents for elementary schools and 75 cents for middle and high schools,” Cochran said. The good news? An increase would not impact reduced price meals, although school officials said students will be getting their money’s worth. “The meal pattern is changing,” Cochran said. “They’ll be more of a variety of vegetables offered and more of a variety of fruits offered, and some of the portion sizes of the vegetables will increase.” Right now Hardin County schools serve a half cup of leafy greens, but come next fall, they will be serving one cup. The school district said they expect fewer students to pay more at first, but hope that will change once the new prices are in effect for awhile. Cochran said if the school board does not approve the increase, they will have to look at other options in their budget since they will still have to meet the federal guidelines.
