June 14—The new federally mandated shift to healthier school menus means higher costs and a likely increase in the costs of meals for parents of kids paying full price for a place in the schools’ cafeteria lines at Allegany County Public Schools in Cumberland, Md.
The cost of fresh fruits and vegetables, and other changes required by the government, will drive up the cost of the average lunch, said Todd Lutton, director of food services for the district. The five-cent increase for lunches was passed by the board as part of their consent agenda at Tuesday evening’s board meeting, bringing the cost of full price meals at the elementary schools to $2.20 and at the middle and high schools to $2.40. The price of breakfast will not increase.