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School committee approves modest increases to adult, student and a la carte meal prices
Summary
The committee approved proposed increases to adult and student meal prices and to a la carte entree prices; district officials said the increases respond to higher food, labor and supply costs and comply with DESE/USDA guidance.
The School Committee approved increases to adult and student meal prices and to a la carte entree prices at its July 11 meeting.
"The proposal tonight is for nutrition services to have 3 meal price increases: one for adult meals, one for student meals, and one for a la carte," a district nutrition-services presenter said. The presenter explained that all students currently receive one free breakfast and one free lunch but that paid adult meals and extra student entrees require price adjustments to keep the program solvent.
The presenter laid out the proposed changes: the adult meal price would rise from $4.25 to $4.95 (a 70cent increase); elementary student paid-meal price would move from $2.75 to $3.00; secondary student paid-meal price would move from $3.00 to $3.25; and a la carte entree prices would increase to roughly $1.60 for students and $1.90 for adults. The presenter said federal reimbursement for student meals partly offsets costs and that rising participation and higher labor, food and supply costs drove the request.
A committee member asked whether the increases would cover rising costs; the presenter responded that the changes "will make a difference" and help cover increases while federal reimbursements continue to support served meals. Committee members approved the increases by voice vote; the record shows the motion passed with "Aye" but does not record a roll-call tally.
Committee members and staff said the increased prices will be published with other district materials ahead of the new school year.
