money Lunch prices are likely going up in Cumberland County Schools next year
Parents of some Cumberland County students likely will be paying 50 cents each day more for school lunches next school year.
The Board of Education’s auxiliary services committee unanimously approved the increase at a meeting Thursday. The increase will have to be approved by the full Board of Education to go into effect.
Beth Maynard, executive director of Child Nutrition Services for Cumberland County Schools, said the increase is needed because the cost of providing the meals has gone up. She said the cost of each plate went up 24% this school year and is expected to increase by 17% to 20% next school year.
“Obviously, revenue must cover our operating expenses to continue operating,” she said.
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The cost of lunches for elementary school students will increase from $2.15 to $2.65. The cost of lunches in middle and high schools will go from $2.25 to $2.75.
Students in families who meet federal guidelines for low-income status get lunches for free or for 40 cents. All students in schools that are in low-income areas get lunches for free.
Maynard said the school system provides breakfast for free to any student who wants it.
The federal government allowed school districts to provide meals for free during the COVID-19 pandemic, but that initiative is expiring, Maynard said.
School board member Susan Williams, who is not a member of the committee, said she appreciated the work Maynard and other staff members have done on the issue.
“I hate to see an increase, but I don’t see how you can run the program without doing something,” she said.
Board member Donna Vann, who serves on the committee, made the motion to approve the increase. Board and committee member Charles McKellar seconded it.
Other committee members are board Vice-Chair Deanna Jones, who chairs the committee, and board member Nathan Warfel.
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Before the vote on lunch prices, the committee unanimously approved bids that Maynard said will have an impact on the cost of providing meals. She said the bids for frozen, refrigerated, and dry food products; supplies; beverages; and fresh bread were all higher than last year.
Based on usage, the school district expects to pay $9.22 million for frozen, refrigerated and dry food products; $1.74 million for supplies; $107,220 for beverages; and $442,904 for fresh bread.
Sysco Raleigh will have the first three contracts. Franklin Bread Company has the fourth.
Local news editor Steve DeVane can be reached at sdevane@fayobserver.com.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cumberland County Schools lunch prices likely going up
