Students and adults will see increases in their cafeteria meal prices when Fannin County schools begin a new year this fall.
Martha Williams, director of Nurtrition and Wellness, told school board members last week prices will increase next year after being unchanged for the last four years.
Prices at each level will increase 40 cents, as a second breakfast will cost $2.45, elementary lunches will rise from $2.35 to $2.75, middle school and high school lunches will increase from $2.60 to $3.00 and adults will pay $5 for their lunches.
“I’m committed to try to keep our prices as low as I can,” Williams told board members.
She also thanked the board for their commitment to cover the cost one free breakfast for every young person in the system every day.
Williams said the high cost of groceries has created the necessity to increase prices for FY 24, and used examples of the rising prices at grocery stores.
School Board Chairman Terry Bramlett backed up Williams explanation, pointing to the increased costs for farmers to raise food, saying the cost of fertilizer, for instance, has tripled this year.
Bramelett was joined by other board members in thanking Williams for her efforts to keep prices as low as possible.
The prices presented by Williams remain under a USDA calculation that says Fannin County should be charging $3.10 for its student lunches. At the same time, USDA requirements force the purchase of higher priced foods by school systems.