Eat Your Veggies: School Lunches Increase in Price & Portions [POLL]

It's not easy being green, especially if it costs more.

School lunch prices for Region 14 students will increase by 30 cents, now that the federal government revamped the school lunch program to include:

• Fruits and vegetables offered every day of the week
• Increased offerings of whole grain-rich foods
• Fat-free or low-fat milk varieties (no whole milk)

Increased Costs

School lunch prices will now be:

• $2.70 at the elementary schools
• $3.10 at middle and high school

The Region 14 Board of Education approved the 30-cent increase at its Monday, August 20, meeting.

Depending on the age of the student, the USDA is requiring school districts to serve specific amounts of food in five categories:

1. Fruits
2. Vegetables
3. Grains
4. Protein
5. Milk

The PDF attached to this article contains specific information on the amounts.

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Significant Changes

Director of Finance and Operations Jim Reese said the changes at the federal level are fairly significant.

"Peter has some concerns on the increases in food costs," Reese said, referring to Peter D. Brooks, Food Services Manager with Region 14.

Brooks cited an increase in bread and noted that producing one lunch costs at least $2.77, according to the federal government.

"... As you can see, we were well short of that figure at the elementary schools," he said.

Reese said the region has a deficit due to the school lunch program.

"If our projections hold, it [the increase] would generate enough to cover the deficit and make a little money," he said. "Assuming participation doesn't drop, that [the increase] will offset the deficit."

If students purchase school lunches, should they be required to eat fruits, vegetables and other specific food groups? Take our poll and tell us more in the comments section.