USDA Requires Schools to Raise Lunch Prices
As part of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, school districts participating
in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs are required to raise
the average price of a paid lunch to a level equal to the federal reimbursement rate
for free and reduced price meals, which is currently $2.70. Schools have several
years to comply with the new requirement and must review meal prices on an
annual basis. As a result of this year’s review, breakfast and lunch prices will
increase by $.15 per meal for all grade levels and adults for 2014-2015 as required
by the United States Department of Agriculture.
The new meal prices for 2014-2015 are as follows: $1.35 for an elementary
student breakfast and $1.50 for middle and high school student breakfast. Lunch
prices will be $1.75 for an elementary student lunch, $1.85 for a middle school
student lunch and $2.00 for a high school student lunch. Adult prices are $1.90 for
an adult breakfast and $2.65 for an adult lunch. The price for ala carte milk is
$.60.