Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Meals topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Exeter board keeps meal prices steady and agrees to include second meals at no charge
Summary
The board voted to hold breakfast at $2.00, lunch at $3.15 and milk at $0.50 for 2026–27 and approved a recommendation to include second meals in the paid lunch program, with the district to monitor impacts on budgets and food waste.
The Exeter School District board voted to keep school meal prices unchanged for the 2026–27 school year and to include second meals in the paid lunch program at no charge.
Food service staff presented USDA paid‑lunch‑equity guidance recommending a 10‑cent increase for breakfast and lunch and a 15‑cent increase for milk. Board members discussed the family impact of price increases and the district’s current decision to subsidize the program. After questions about second‑meal frequency, food waste and kitchen forecasting, the board voted to hold prices at $2.00 for breakfast, $3.15 for lunch and $0.50 for milk.
Separately, the meals advisory committee recommended whether second meals should be included without charge. The board approved including second meals in the paid program so parents would not be billed for a student’s second lunch or breakfast; administration will track usage, cost and waste and report if adjustments are needed. Committee members noted last year’s data showed roughly 176 extra breakfasts and 1,220 extra lunches (about $5,000 in second‑meal revenue) and encouraged ongoing monitoring to adjust purchasing and staffing needs as required.
The board instructed administrators and the meals advisory committee to monitor second‑meal demand and food waste and to return to the board with any recommended operational changes or budget impacts.
