School Lunch Prices Set to Rise In Missouri District

Lunch prices at Columbia Public Schools likely will rise again next school year.

The district's finance committee yesterday discussed a potential 10-cent increase. The change stems from a 2010 federal requirement that aims to ensure districts generate enough money to cover the cost of paid lunches and aren't subsidizing them with federal dollars from the free and reduced-price lunch program.

Adding a dime would bring prices to $2.50 at secondary schools and $2.25 at elementary schools. Adult lunches would remain at $3, and the price of breakfast would stay at $1.35. Many students who eat breakfast at school participate in the free and reduced program, Nutrition Services Director Laina Fullum said. "We didn't feel a need" to raise those prices, she said.