Lunch prices rise as result of food costs

Milk now 40 cents, meals $3.25

By Owen Boss

GARDNER — The School Committee passed a motion at their meeting Monday night that will increase the price students will have to pay for the school system’s lunches. The motion, which passed unanimously, will increase the price of milk from 35 cents to 40 cents, and the price for an adult meal from $3 to $3.25. According to committee member James Boone, the increases are a direct response to the recent increase in food prices, and not a fundraising effort to cover deficits in the schools budget. “Food prices were going up, all the basic materials for the lunches were becoming more expensive,” said Mr. Boone. “This is definitely not a fundraising effort — luckily our budget is going to be in the positive this year, and without this increase we would run the risk of being in the negative.” The increase in the price of school lunches, which Mr. Boone says is going to be common in schools across the state, is going to allow local schools to continue operating as they have in the past. “We are pretty much in line with the other districts,” said Mr. Boone. “Right now with this small increase we are confident that we will break even.” The committee’s Finance Subcommittee is also considering the unpredictable problems that could arise with equipment malfunctions in the school system’s kitchens. “I’d also like to mention that we may have equipment that goes down or out of service,” said Mr. Boone. “We are going to try to hold the price and watch it and maybe next year it will not have to go up.” The increased prices will officially take effect in the fall at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year. oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 1 on 6/10/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 137)