Daniel T. Connor
Superintendent

227 Main Street
Goshen, NY 10924
(845) 615-6720

District news

School lunch prices to go up 10 cents in 2011-12

July 15, 2011 - Beginning in September, school lunch prices will increase by 10 cents in all four of Goshen’s schools.

Why the increase in prices?

Section 205 of the federal Healthy, Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010, “Equity in School Lunch Pricing” Provision, is requiring school districts to set their school lunch prices more in line with the amount they are reimbursed from the federal government.

How are schools reimbursed for school meals?

According to Food Services Director Denise Billings, school districts receive state and federal funding to help offset the cost of school meals. Every complete meal served in our cafeterias is eligible to receive a partial reimbursement, at a rate set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

“There are three levels of reimbursement based on free, reduced and full price (paid) meals,” explained Billings. “The district receives a specific dollar amount for each ‘complete’ lunch served. We receive one amount for a paid-priced lunch, more for a reduced-price lunch, and even more for a free lunch.”

How are the new prices determined?

Under the new provision, districts must charge a price that is on average equal to the difference between what they are reimbursed for paid meals, at 26 cents, and what they are reimbursed for free meals, at $2.72. That difference is $2.46.

Schools that charge on average $2.46 or less for a paid school lunch are required to use a formula to determine if it is necessary to increase their lunch prices. Based on the USDA formula, Goshen’s lunch prices were required to be increased.

In 2010-11, school lunch prices in Goshen were $2.25 for elementary and intermediate school students and $2.50 for middle and high school students. These prices will increase by 10 cents for 2011-12 in order to meet the new federal guidelines.

Why was the provision enacted?

According to the State Education Department, a study revealed that in some districts, federal reimbursements for free and reduced price lunches were being used to offset the charge for paid, or full price, meals.

So why is this a problem? Federal funds that were intended for free and reduced price lunches were instead, in some districts, being used to help fill in the gap between what a paid lunch costs and what the school receives for it. This provision will help ensure that schools have funding available to support serving nutritious meals to all students.