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Schools May Raise Meal Costs

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: February 15, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - The price of breakfast and lunch in school cafeterias could be going up.

The Pasco County School Board will vote Tuesday on a proposal to raise the meal prices next month, then raise them again in August.

The reason given: Despite a number of cost-saving efforts, the food and nutrition services department isn't able to meet its expenses. The department is self-funded and doesn't receive money from the school district.

The federal government reimburses the department for the free and reduced-price meal program, but the reimbursement is less than what it costs to prepare the meals, said Rick Kurtz, director of food and nutrition services.

Under the proposal, the first price increase would take effect March 9. Breakfast prices would increase 5 cents to $1.20 for elementary students, $1.35 for middle and high school students, and $1.55 for adults.
Lunch prices would increase 10 cents to $1.90 for elementary students, $2.40 for middle and high school students, and $3.10 for adults.

On Aug. 24, when the 2009-10 school year begins, the breakfast prices would increase another 5 cents and the lunches would go up an additional 10 cents.

Parents who put money into meal accounts for their children will need to adjust those accounts if the board approves the increase, Kurtz said.
Kurtz said the price increase is needed because it's "getting too tough to make ends meet."

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 948-4218.

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