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Sarasota schools to raise meal prices this fall; breakfast up $0.25, lunch up $0.40
Summary
Superintendent Terry Connor said Food Nutrition Services is self-funded and the district will raise lunch by $0.40 and breakfast by $0.25 this fall, with a planned additional $0.25 increase in January; families eligible for free or reduced-price meals are encouraged to apply.
Terry Connor, superintendent of Sarasota County Schools, said the district's Food Nutrition Services is self-funded and rising costs have led to a modest price increase for school meals. "Our lunches will have a price increase of 40¢. Breakfast will have 0.25. And then we will look at January increasing that another 25¢," Connor said.
Connor explained the department covers its own operating costs — staff, food and operations across 54 cafeterias — and that the district evaluated options such as co'ops and contract adjustments before deciding to raise prices to sustain quality meals. He urged eligible families to apply for free or reduced-price meal programs, noting the district seeks to keep the burden on families as low as possible.
The superintendent framed the change as a response to broader cost pressures, including fuel and insurance increases, and said the district continues to seek cost savings where possible.
