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Board approves school meal price increases, adds midyear increase set for 2027
Summary
On July 21 the board approved staff-recommended price increases for school breakfasts and lunches and unanimously adopted an amendment to add an additional 25 cents to both breakfast and lunch starting in January 2027; staff said the food-service program remains in a structural deficit.
The Sarasota County School Board approved recommended increases in school breakfast and lunch prices and then adopted an amendment to implement an additional increase in January 2027. Staff had proposed a 25-cent increase for breakfast and a 40-cent increase for lunch for the 2026-27 school year; board member Tom Edwards successfully moved an amendment to add an additional 25 cents to both breakfast and lunch beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Superintendent Connor and nutrition staff explained the rationale: the food-service program is operating in the red despite cost-control efforts, and incremental price changes narrow but do not eliminate the deficit. Connor said staff had "explored 20 plus different options" to reduce costs and that an incremental midyear change would allow time for communication to families. Edwards argued the additional increase would help stabilize the program and noted it would not affect students on free or reduced-price meals.
After discussion about eligibility and outreach, the amendment carried by voice vote and the main motion as amended passed unanimously. Board members also discussed outreach to ensure eligible families complete free-and-reduced applications; staff reiterated that eligibility is income-based and that direct-certification methods (SNAP/Medicaid) automatically qualify some students.
