Pinellas board approves modest lunch price increase; district outlines 'scratch' cooking pilot

The Pinellas County School Board approved a change to paid meal pricing for the 2025–26 school year on May 13, voting 6–0 to raise elementary paid lunch to $2.75 (a 50¢ increase) and secondary paid lunch to $3.15 (a 40¢ increase). Board members said the change will not affect students eligible for free or reduced‑price meals or community eligible sites that receive meals at no cost.

Director of Food and Nutrition Dustin Walker told the board the food and nutrition fund is self‑operating and that paid meal prices have not changed since February 2019 despite rising operational costs; he cited USDA consumer price index increases of 7–10% for food since 2019. Walker said the proposed price adjustments bring Pinellas closer to neighboring counties (the district remains, on average, lower than nearby districts) and will help offset rising costs, fund infrastructure updates and support program initiatives.

Walker also previewed upcoming initiatives to expand scratch‑cooked meals and increase whole‑ingredient options, including a pilot “Scratch” event at Rollins Elementary and a local sourcing opportunity: the district will receive 80 pounds of beef from a local Fort McCoy rancher for testing scratch menus. Board members praised the initiative and welcomed collecting student feedback as the program rolls out.

The motion to approve meal pricing was made by board member Kane and seconded by Vice Chair Caprice Edmond. The vote was 6–0.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve updated paid lunch pricing (elementary $2.75; secondary $3.15) for 2025–26 — mover: Kane; second: Edmond; outcome: approved, 6–0.