School meal prices increased in Anne Arundel

The school board?s decision to approve Superintendent Kevin Maxwell?s recommendation for higher meal fees will not overcome a pending $1 million deficit, Jodi Risse, the school system?s supervisor for food and nutrition, said this week.

Projected local and state food sale revenue for fiscal 2009 is $22.6 million; but, expenses, including salaries, food and supplies, could total $23.6 million, she said.

In 2008, for example, the food and nutrition department is expected tospend $7.8 million on food. Next year, $8.1 million could be spent.

The department?s expenses continue to increase due to the current economic situation, inflation and the changes in the food industry in regard to biofuel, grain and fuel pricing, officials said. In turn, school officials say they needed to increase student meal prices.

The department is serving more than 1.5 million breakfasts and 5.2 million lunches a year, Risse said. However, the higher fees could mean 3 percent fewer students buying meals next year, school officials said.

Officials are trying to combat this reduction by offering more fruits and vegetables and increasing whole grain products. Some school board members wanted to know what steps the school system was taking to encourage students to purchase meals.

“One of the main reasons we hear for students not wanting to purchase lunch are the long lines,” said board member Patricia Nalley.

Risse said elementary schools, where most students buy lunch, serve about 75 students in 10 minutes. A way to move students through the lines quicker was to provide fewer food selections each day.

Board member Eugene Peterson said he was concerned about low-income students not affording meals, but officials said reduced lunch and breakfast prices wouldn?t change.

“If we see kids without any money or lunch, we try to get them the [free and reduced meal] application,” Risse said.

Lunch fees have not increased in three years and breakfast fees in four years.