Students in the Ogdensburg City School District will pay five cents more for their lunch next year, as the district was forced to increase their prices by at least that much.

“We could have gone higher,” said Food Services Manager Brian R. Mitchell said, explaining the federal government is requiring them to increase their price by at least five cents, as part of legislation that will eventually result in all schools paying the federal reimbursement rate for lunch.

“Unless you’re at $2.82 you had to raise it,” he said.

For elementary students this means lunches next year will cost $1.85, while high school lunches will cost $2.10. The price of a half-pint of milk will also increase five cents to 40 cents.

“There are schools out there still charging $1 or $1.25 for their lunches and saying their program isn’t making money,” Mr. Mitchell said, explaining those districts are responsible for the legislation driving the price up for everyone else.

“They’re trying to subsidize their program through free and reduced lunches,” he said.

While a nickle increase may not seem like much, students who purchase a second lunch will notice the biggest change.

“Second lunches are not reimbursed,” Mr. Mitchell explained, “If they want a second lunch they’re going to start paying for it.”

Mr. Mitchell said the district was losing money by charging the same for a second lunch as they were for a first.

“If they want a second lunch that’s their choice and they need to pay for it,” he said. “We can’t be put in a situation where we’re losing money.”

Last year at the elementary level, Mr. Mitchell said 416 second lunches were served, while at the high school level students purchased 5,766 second lunches.

The price of a second lunch at the elementary level will rise to $2.75, with the price of a second meal rising to $3 at the high school.

“You can’t even go to McDonalds and get a meal for $3,” Mr. Mitchell said.

Mr. Mitchell said students who receive free and reduced lunches can purchase a second meal, although they too would have to pay full price for their second lunch.

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