Hampshire County Schools approves modest increase to paid meal and milk prices for 2026–27

Emily Bree, director of child nutrition and student support services for Hampshire County Schools, presented the district's annual child nutrition report and recommended modest increases to paid meal and a la carte prices for the 2026–27 school year.

Bree told the board the state balance‑sheet report currently lists breakfast at $4.18 and lunch at $5.57 but that a state reporting error includes an indirect cost that should be removed. She proposed setting paid breakfast at $4 and paid lunch at $5 to make a simple, flat price for guests and for students who purchase second meals.

On a separate line item Bree said the district has been losing money on a la carte milk and recommended raising the carton price from the current charge to $0.50. "We are currently paying 31¢ per carton of white milk and 32¢ per carton of flavored milk," Bree said, and added, "I am requesting that we increase that price to 50¢," so the program's margin is less likely to fall into the red.

Bree emphasized that the proposed paid prices apply to guests and second meals only; under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) the first breakfast and first lunch remain free for participating students next year unless the district chooses not to continue CEP. The board asked questions about the timing and whether the district should wait for next year’s finalized numbers; Bree said she prefers to keep the increase moderate now and reassess after next year's annual report.

Board members moved and seconded the non‑consent motion to approve the paid meal and milk pricing as presented; the motion passed by voice vote.

The district will publish details in the staff packet and include the change in the 2026–27 budget documents; Bree said the nutrition office will continue to monitor costs and consider further changes if wholesale milk prices rise.