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Food service director briefs board on meal‑price history, reserves and possible small increase
Summary
District staff presented cafeteria participation trends, explained a new 10% indirect cost applied to food service (state allows up to 16%), and said a modest 10¢ price increase is likely but staff will wait until summer participation data before recommending action.
Tri‑Creek School Corporation trustees received an informational presentation on April 10 about cafeteria participation, pricing history and capital needs for food‑service equipment.
Staff reviewed participation trends since 2018 and said lunch participation rose notably after Chartwells began serving the district. The presentation noted the district last raised meal prices in the 2019–20 school year (a 10¢ increase) and that the food‑service fund began absorbing indirect costs after a failed referendum; the district currently applies a 10% indirect cost to food service although state calculations would allow up to 16%.
District staff modeled the financial effect of hypothetical price changes and said a 10¢ increase would cost a family that used both breakfast and lunch every school day about $34.60 per year; a 25¢ increase would cost about $86.50 per year under the same assumption. Staff also listed capital needs in the 2–5‑year horizon, including reach‑in coolers, a serving‑line renovation and a high‑school dish machine the presenter estimated at about $600,000. The presenter said the district aims to observe spring participation results (the three most profitable months) and bring a formal recommendation in June; no price change was approved at the April 10 meeting.
Board members asked questions about participation and comparative pricing. The presenter described several Chartwells programs (Discovery Kitchen, taste tests, student surveys) that staff expect will further increase participation.
No formal vote was taken; staff will return with a recommendation after end‑of‑year participation numbers.
