May 22, 2008 4:45 PM
School districts nationwide are scrambling to keep up with the rising costs of milk, wheat, eggs and the fuel used to transport them. Even in the U.S. heartland, which produces the foodstuffs, rising prices affect school budgets. In Des Moines, Iowa, families who pay full price for school meals will fork over about $90 more per child next year after the district raises rates for the first time in six years.
Federal government reimbursement to districts with students whose families qualify for free or reduced-price lunches usually generates more money than do the regular-priced meals. But even those subsidies aren’t keeping up with the cost of preparing and serving meals, said Patti Schroeder, chief financial officer for the Des Moines school district. Schroeder cited milk price rises of 27 percent in the past few years. With the district serving 5 million cartons a year, it’s already lost some $200,000.
School administrators in Fargo, N.D., Hays County, Kan., and Henry County, Ga., also reported stiff increases in food prices. They each pledge they will not compromise on nutrition, but would instead either increase prices or make cuts elsewhere.
Des Moines Register, May 7