School Lunch Fees To Increase

Bobbie Bicknell Coray
Rich Civic Times

RANDOLPH, Utah.  May 17, 2017. School lunch fees will be raised by $.25 cents.  The audit committee met and had a productive meeting about lunch prices.  Currently high school lunches are $2.50, middle school lunches are $2.00, breakfast prices also will increase.  It has been over three years since prices have changed and there have been increased food costs.

Superintendent Dale Lamborn told board members that the district is subsidizing school lunch out of the M&O budget so the schools can provide a higher quality lunch.

The increase will bring in $15,000 more next year.  But that will not meet all of the cost will still need to raise more money.  There is a new program which will automatically notify schools if a child is on Medicaid, which then qualifies the child for free lunch.  The state and federal government reimburses at a higher rate of $3.16 and the child pays 40 cents which should help in the school lunch program. .

The unpaid meal policy has been changed.  Peggie Feller, District Lunch Coordinator, said that it was not a huge problem in Rich County and she felt is important that the staff not embarrass students if their parents haven’t paid.  Feller said that they send out statements each month and will work out a payment plan if parents have difficulty paying.  As a last resort if lunch money is not paid at end of school year, the parents will be taken to small claims court.

Richard Clark, Administrator, said that policy changes to put in compliance with the state wellness policy. Board members were served fruit plates and water instead of chocolate candy at the meeting because faculty and staff are trying to model healthy behavior. The policy and health related information will be on the district's website.  The old rules have been changed under the new presidential administration.  It will not be necessary to reduce salt any more than it has been.  Fats can be added to the diet including using 2% milk instead of 1%.

Bryce Huefner, Board Member, said that processed food has a lot of salt.  “I know it is cheaper,” he said.   Feller said most of the food served is made from scratch and that the cheese and beans received as commodities from the government is low sodium.  She said that it becomes harder to meet sodium stands.  Lunch planners use the program Nutri-kid, which makes an analysis on every product used for calories, salt, sugar and fats.  It is a state requirement to do that.

Huefner asked how one could consider nachos and cheese a healthy food.  Feller said that  they balance the next meal with more nutritious food the next.  The district gets a lot of commodity hamburger  in 40 pound rolls from the government and it is mixed with beans or other fillers.  Monte Weston, Board Member, joked that, “We've got to support the beef industry.”