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Universal free meals raise participation; food-service fund sees revenue shift amid rising costs
Summary
Food-nutrition staff reported a large rise in participation after universal free meals were implemented, with breakfast up ~34% and lunch up ~18%, improving revenues but also exposing food-cost increases that will require operational controls and monitoring of fund balances.
Food nutrition services told the board the department is self-funded and that the first year of universal free meals substantially increased participation and revenue. The director said breakfast participation rose sharply and that reimbursement increases helped the fund's bottom line even as food-cost inflation pushed costs higher.
"The 1st year of, Universal Free School Meals. We saw a 34% increase in breakfast participation, which is huge," the food-services director said. Staff reported that lunch participation also rose and that the fund's ending fund balance moved but remains above required minimums for the program. They noted an 11% increase in food costs in 2023 and ongoing cost pressures and described operational measures to control costs (menu planning, batch cooking, reducing prepackaged items) and strategies to limit waste (donations, forecasting and inventory controls).
Board members asked about creative cost-control ideas and how to account for milk and "bring your own meal" issues; food staff described operational constraints and USDA/national program rules that shape menu and portioning decisions.
