Cafeteria prices going up for 2007-08

Cafeteria prices are going up for the first time in five years.

The increase is the result of higher costs to the district, according to Assistant Superintendent for Business Sarita Winchell.

For the 2007-08 school year, elementary students will pay $2 for a Type A hot lunch, while middle and high school students will pay $2.25. Both prices are up 25 cents over last year.

A carton of milk will cost 30 cents, which is up 5 cents over last year's price.

Type A lunches include a choice of a hot entrée, sandwich or wrap, hot dog or green salad, plus fruit, milk, and daily side dishes. To qualify as a Type A lunch, the meal must include three of the five components above. Students may purchase items individually, but must pay a la carte prices.

The school board approved the price increases at its meeting in August.

State law requires all school district food operations to pay for themselves, which means they must break even each year, Ms. Winchell said. Because it was costing the district more to buy the food, officials were forced to pass on the increase, she said.

In addition to inflationary reasons, the district’s cost for food have increased somewhat because officials are buying more fresh produce and higher-quality meats in an effort to provide healthier options for students, according to Superintendent Linda M. Langevin.