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Jenison Board Approves Contingency Meal Price Hike If State Free‑Meal Program Expires
Summary
Board approved contingency meal-price increases (7-0): +$0.75 breakfast and +$0.50 lunch effective Oct. 1 if the Michigan School Meals program is not extended beyond Sept. 30, 2025; food costs have risen over 40% in three years, district says.
The Jenison Public Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Sept. 8 to approve contingency increases to student meal prices if the state does not extend the Michigan School Meals (MSM) program beyond its Sept. 30, 2025 expiration.
Food Service Director Mary Darnton presented the recommendation: raise breakfast prices by $0.75 and lunch prices by $0.50 effective Oct. 1 if MSM funding is not continued. Darnton told the board that food costs have increased by more than 40% over the past three years and that without state funding the district expects a 25–30% drop in meal participation under the traditional federal reimbursement model. She emphasized the program’s priorities, saying the department’s guiding principle is to “Feed kids first, and figure out money later.”
District staff noted the Food Service program partners with 14 local farms and maintains a donation fund to address student meal debt. Because the district’s Identified Student Percentage falls below the threshold for the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), the district cannot automatically provide free meals to all students without state support. The packet also recommends distributing applications for reduced-price eligibility to families immediately if the state program lapses.
The board approved the contingency plan 7-0. The Food Service Department will notify families and proceed with administrative steps to enable a smooth transition should the state funding not be extended.
