DISTRICTS RAISING MEAL PRICES

When students return to school this fall, they will have to dig a little deeper into their pockets to pay for school breakfasts and lunches.

School meal prices around the nation are increasing because of skyrocketing food, milk and gasoline prices.

"The prices of everything are going up crazy," Sackets Harbor Superintendent Frederick E. Hall said. "It's easy to do Little Debbie, but to put together a nutritious meal with an apple or fresh fruit is not so easy."

According to the School Nutrition Association in Alexandria, Va., over the past 12 months, the cost of milk has increased 14 percent, whole grain breads 15 percent, cheese 12 percent, eggs 31 percent, fruits and vegetables 14 percent and pasta 14 percent.

Eric C. Peterson, director of public awareness at the School Nutrition Association, said schools are losing money on every lunch they prepare.

The national average cost to prepare one school lunch is $2.90. The average price of north country lunches in 2007-08 was $1.53, and schools receive 23 cents in federal money for every full-price lunch sold. That means schools, on average, are losing $1.14 for every lunch prepared. In 2008-09, the average school lunch price will increase to $1.70.

Schools lose less money when students receive free or reduced-price lunches.

The federal reimbursement rate for each free lunch is $2.47, so for each of those served, the district loses an average of 43 cents.

According to Mr. Peterson, the federal reimbursement rate has been increasing 2 percent to 3 percent each year over the past 10 years.

The cost for a school district to prepare each meal, however, has increased 5 percent to 6 percent each year, he said.

"Districts across the nation are trying to address this," Mr. Peterson said. "They're trying to raise prices and save money where they can without compromising nutritional integrity."

Craig P. Orvis, food service director in the Watertown City School District, said he has paid 8 percent to 10 percent more this year for school breakfasts and lunches.

The Board of Education decided to raise prices to compensate for the increased costs.

Next year, district breakfast prices will increase from 60 cents to 75 cents, lunch in kindergarten through sixth grade will go up from $1 to $1.25, lunch in seventh through 12th grades will rise from $1.25 to $1.50 and prices for the parochial school lunches, which Watertown provides, will go from $1.35 to $1.75.

"We're keeping in mind the parents' saturation point," Mr. Orvis said. "You can raise the prices all you want, but you also need to look at what the parents can afford. We feel that even with this increase, the breakfasts and lunches are still a very good value. The students are receiving a very good meal for a very good price."

He also said the food service staff will continue monitoring food prices and if they get too high, they may cut back on purchasing some products.

In the Indian River Central School District, prices for breakfasts will go up from 85 cents to 95 cents, lunches in kindergarten through fifth grade will go up from $1.55 to $1.65 and lunch in sixth through 12th grades will rise from $1.85 to $1.90.

"Costs for the district are increasing significantly across the board," said James R. Koch, district business manager. "Food costs have gone up and there are increases in personnel costs, which has an impact."

In the district's 2008-09 budget, $150,000 has been allocated to be transferred to the cafeteria fund to cover the losses.

"It's extremely difficult to cut costs," Mr. Koch said. "We have set personnel and food costs. We have shuffled some people around to meet needs in buildings, but most of the costs are fixed."

In Sackets Harbor, elementary school lunch prices will increase from $1.50 to $1.75 and lunch in seventh through 12th grades will go up from $1.75 to $2. Breakfast will increase from 75 cents to $1.

"We have tried to write for some grants for some fresh fruits and we're trying to push a healthy lifestyle, but with the prices the way they are, it doesn't take very long until you're running in the red," Mr. Hall said.

He also said the higher prices may inspire some parents to fill out the free- and reduced-price lunch applications, which would be beneficial to the district because those bring higher federal reimbursement rates.