Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Monona Grove board approves meal price increases as nutrition program works to remain self‑sustaining
Summary
Administration proposed incremental meal price increases for 2026–27 to shore up the self‑funded nutrition program after several years of expense exceeding revenue; the board approved the proposed fees and asked staff to monitor participation and federal reimbursement changes.
The Monona Grove board approved proposed increases to student meal prices for the 2026–27 school year after a presentation from school nutrition director Maggie Santa. Santa said the nutrition fund has carried multi‑year deficits and that meal prices are only one of five revenue streams for the program. Incremental increases were proposed to preserve program viability while limiting family price shock.
Administration noted participation has not rebounded to pandemic‑era levels when universal free meals inflated participation rates, and that changes in federal policy and USDA reimbursement for the coming year could affect program revenue. The board approved the proposal and asked nutrition staff to continue encouraging participation and to return with a fiscal year report showing local purchases and program finances.
The director also noted the program’s practice of buying local produce when feasible and said she would present year‑end local purchasing figures in the fall.
