School Lunch Prices on the Rise in Bloomfield Hills

Buying a school lunch this year in the Bloomfield Hills Schools will be a bit more expensive.

To combat continued cost increases in staple services, the school board approved a 20-cent increase in overall lunches and a 5-cent hike in milk prices districtwide.

Lunches at elementary schools will now be $3.15, and $3.40 at both the middle and high schools. Milk will be 55 cents.

Prices remained the same for the past two years and increased four times in the past decade, said Tina Kostiuk, assistant superintendent for business services. Those increases have ranged from 5 cents to 25 cents in the past as well.

“This increase is necessary to deal with higher costs the district faces to provide the service directly to students,” Kostiuk said.

The district is not alone in implementing lunch price increases in Michigan or the country as public schools try to comply with new federal standards. A provision of the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, signed by President Barack Obama last year, required a rate increase for some. The law mandates that every district adjust its meal prices to ensure the overall rate is comparable with federal reimbursement rates.

The USDA reimburses districts $2.72 per meal for each lunch served to students who are eligible for free meals. But many districts, federal officials found, charged less for meals and less than the cost of making them. The act requires schools to charge closer to an average of $2.46 per meal. Districts have time to meet the price target and most will slowly increase to meet the new requirements.  

The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, aimed at improving health and nutrition among children, also requires districts to include healthier menu items. Menus this year will consist of a larger portion of fruits and vegetables (including more leafy green, yellow and orange vegetables); additional whole grains; leaner entrees with reduced sodium; and more servings of beans and legumes. Fewer starchy vegetables will be served.  

“This pricing recommendation will also assist in addressing the new wellness requirements we continue to implement in our cafeteria program, along with the added costs of ongoing schedule changes at buildings,” Kostiuk said.

The district participates in the National School Lunch Program, which helps families that qualify receive meals for free or at reduced prices. Families approved last year must fill out a new application form within the first two weeks of school to continue assistance.

Families that may need financial assistance for school lunches can call the food service office at 248-341-5881 or visit their website for more information.