School lunch prices remain steady since 1990

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

WIX

In 14 years time, most products see some form of price increase. One exception is a nutritious school lunch, which since 1990 has been sold for $1.25 at county elementary schools and $1.50 at the high school.

“Food prices have gone up, and we expect that to continue, but so far we’ve been able to keep prices down by cutting costs where we can,” said school system food service supervisor Jean Wix, who added her department is non-profit.

One of the most effective cost-cutting measures, she said, has been the “offer versus serve” concept instituted in the early 90s. Instead of serving a child a full food tray consisting of five items, the concept allows a child to choose between three and five items, thus cutting down considerably on waste.

“If we know that out of 500 students, only 50 are going to choose carrots, we can also offer students more choices, like peas or potatoes,” said Wix.

Using the program, each school is able to offer a minimum of two meats, two fruits and vegetables and a salad bar every school day.

And because the price of the lunch is the same whether a student gets three, four or five items, Wix said cafeteria personnel encourage students to get the maximum amount of five items, especially vegetables. Even so, she added, many students still choose less.

Also helping to keep meal costs (schools also offer breakfast for 75 cents) down is the reimbursement the system receives from the state and, primarily, federal governments. A vast majority of these funds come from the USDA School Lunch Program, which reimburses the school system a portion of every meal served, and especially so with county’s free and reduced meal program.

The USDA gives the school system $2.19 for every free lunch served, $1.79 for every reduced lunch and 21 cents for every full price lunch. 47 percent of county students are enrolled in the free and reduced meal program. Eligibility for this program is based on their parents’ income.

“All of the money we get goes straight into the program, so it serves to keep prices low for everyone,” said Wix.

The schools’ cafeteria managers are also a big help in keeping costs down, she said.

“Every month they get reports detailing their expenses and their incomes. They take these very seriously. They manage very well and treat their programs like businesses,” she said.

The food service supervisor also credits her department’s computer program and competitive food bidding process with helping to keep costs low.

Though her department did not recommend a meal price increase for the upcoming school year, Wix said she could not make any guarantees about the future as it is a year-by-year decision based on several factors.

School lunch facts
Elementary lunch price: $1.25
High school lunch price: $1.50
Reduced lunch price: 40 cents
Breakfast price: 75 cents
Reduced breakfast price: 30 cents
Percentage of county students
in free or reduced meal program: 47
Lunches served per day: 4,000
Breakfasts served per day: 1,500
Estimated monthly cost the
school system spends on food: $20,000