Charlotte County Public Schools to increase school lunch prices

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK)—Charlotte County Public Schools has approved an increase in school meal prices for the first time in 11 years.

The district is not profiting from the price increases. Even with the new rates, the district will charge below the federal register's national reimbursement rate and will absorb some of the costs of providing food to students daily.

Breakfast prices will increase from $1.20 to $2.50 across all schools locations. Elementary school lunches will go from $2.40 to $3.75, while middle and high school lunches will cost $4.15, after costing $2.60 and $2.80.

Charlotte County schools drop free meal program, pantries brace for impact

Twelve Charlotte County schools will no longer offer free breakfast and lunch to all students next school year after losing federal eligibility.

Ehe district says the increase is need as equipment costs and delivery fees have significantly risen.

Larry Lipke, a parent with older children in the district, calculated the weekly costs of school lunches under the new pricing.

"For me as a parent, it's kind of like a shock," Lipke said. "And there's a lot of families out there that are kind of struggling to come up with the extra, what, $20 a week extra? I mean, that's almost a half a tank of gas for most people that drive like a car."

Savannah, who homeschools her child, sympathizes with families who will feel the burden of the increases.

"That's kind of a sucker punch to the family," Savannah said. "I mean, as if we don't have a hard enough time trying to put food on the tables with the economy prices of food as it is. That why does we have to be attacked there?"

She added the increases will hurt families struggling to access assistance programs.

"It's going to hurt," Savannah said. "Especially those people who have not they're being denied the SNAP, and those aren't being it's even harder to get food stamps down. So I feel for the people that are definitely being affected by this, for sure."

The school district reminded families that breakfasts and lunches can still be provided for free or at a low cost. The re-enrollment process for students this summer will automatically prompt parents to fill out the optional form.

Some parents are already planning ways to avoid the increases. Lipke said he plans to pack lunches for his children to ensure they eat healthy and don't come home hungry.

The school district said staff will make sure families get the support they need through the changes.