School Lunches Could Get More Pricey

Food for thought. Under a proposal before the Fredericksburg City School Board tonight, school meals could get a bit more expensive. If approved, the price for individual school meals would rise either five or 10 cents depending on the school and the meal. 

The "continual rise in food and fuel costs" as well as President Barrack Obama's December 2010 reauthorization of the federal Child Nutrition Act are cited as the primary factors behind the rise in school meal prices. 

According to a memo from the Virginia Department of Education, the reauthorized Child Nutrition Act requires schools to increase meal prices by no more than 10 cents if the cost of a school lunch in 2011 is less than $2.46.

School officials have tried to offer a healthier variety of food choices in local cafeterias over the last six years. Starting in 2005, self-serve salad bars began operating daily at two locations, while pre-prepared salads were offered at two other sites. A memo distributed to the school board says that between 2006 and 2009, school officials focused on using more homemade goods on a regular basis and using fewer processed foods in student meals. The goal was to increase participation in the school meals program without having to increase the labor force. 

The results speak for themselves. The average number of meals served in the city public schools has increased by more than 550 per day over the last year. 

"In 2009-2010, part of the existing work force was restructured to enable us to meet the growing demand for quality school meals without having to add any new positions," reads the memo. "And the results were excellent."

This would be the first hike in city school meal prices in two years. 

The proposal will be voted on at tonight's meeting of the Fredericksburg City School Board, at James Monroe High School at 7:30 p.m.