Why do prices for student meals increase periodically? Federal regulations require meal prices to meet specific price targets. When these targets are unmet, guidelines require programs to increase meal prices. Fortunately, for the families in Houston County, the most recent adjustment to student meal prices was for the school year.
Prior to that, prices had not increased since These increases aim to eliminate the need to increase meal prices again for several years and to comply with federal guidelines.
Why do prices for adult meals increase? Houston County School Nutrition loves our administrators, teachers, support staff, and parents. We realize that, at times, the increase may feel significant. However, the goal of the rise is to eliminate the need to increase meal prices again for several years and to comply with federal guidelines.
Fortunately, the most recent price increases were in , and before that had not increased since According to USDA guidelines, the adult meal price must be set based on the cost of producing the meal.
Because the National School Breakfast and Lunch program is federally funded and supports child nutrition, the adult meal price must cover the total direct costs to ensure that federal reimbursements and student payments do not subsidize adult meals.
