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NB raises school lunch prices
By Jessica Musicar, Staff Writer
Tuesday, July 15, 2008 | No comments posted.
NORTH BEND — Parents of North Bend students will have to dig a little deeper in their pockets this fall to feed their children.
On Monday, the North Bend School Board agreed to increase school breakfast and lunch prices anywhere from 15 to 25 cents per meal. Prices depend on student grade level.
The hike became necessary following recent food cost increases, said Rhonda Hoffine, North Bend food service director. It also brings the district more in line with others in Curry, Coos and Douglas counties.
“It’s the economy. Overall across the United States, food costs have gone up,” Hoffine said.
Elementary school lunches jumped from $1.40 to $1.55; from $1.75 to $1.90 at North Bend Middle School and from $2 to $2.25 at the high school.
Breakfasts for elementary school students remain free. However, middle and high school students will begin paying $1.25 each for the morning meal. For students on reduced food meal benefits, breakfast will go up to 30 cents and lunch will be 40 cents at North Bend High and Middle schools. Hoffine said students haven’t had to shell out for their breakfasts in three years and lunch prices haven’t gone up since the mid-1990s.
“I think any food costs are going to present a hardship for ... families,” Hoffine said. “It’s a hard decision. It really is. It doesn’t come lightly, that’s for sure.”
Hoffine said the changes also may be felt in Reedsport, Coquille and Myrtle Point, where she oversees school lunch programs. She said she recommended a price increase at those districts as well, but did not know when the possibility will be reviewed by their school boards.
School board members seemed somewhat reluctant to increase the prices, but did so unanimously, blaming the jump in gas prices and taking comfort in the fact that student lunch prices remain relatively low.
“It seems unfortunate, but it seems like we have to do it,” said board member Megan Jacquot.
During Monday’s meeting, Hoffine told the board that one reason why she recommended charging for school breakfasts is because not enough children are participating in the free breakfast program.
“We just had very little participation there,” Hoffine said.
To make the program feasible, the district would need 85 percent participation at both the high school and middle school level, Hoffine said. At North Bend Middle School, about 50 percent of students use the program. She estimated about 35 percent take advantage of it at the high school.
Despite the price increase, the North Bend School District will remain on the lower end of the price scale among districts on the South Coast. According to a meal prices spreadsheet that compares North Bend to other districts, Brookings charges $2 for an elementary school lunch at the high end, while Bandon, Gold Beach and Reedsport charge $1.50.
Hoffine said the increase was necessary so the district wouldn’t end up eating the loss.
“You hate to see it, but the cost of food is all going up,” she said. “I wish it could all be free.”
On Monday, the North Bend School Board agreed to increase school breakfast and lunch prices anywhere from 15 to 25 cents per meal. Prices depend on student grade level.
The hike became necessary following recent food cost increases, said Rhonda Hoffine, North Bend food service director. It also brings the district more in line with others in Curry, Coos and Douglas counties.
“It’s the economy. Overall across the United States, food costs have gone up,” Hoffine said.
Elementary school lunches jumped from $1.40 to $1.55; from $1.75 to $1.90 at North Bend Middle School and from $2 to $2.25 at the high school.
Breakfasts for elementary school students remain free. However, middle and high school students will begin paying $1.25 each for the morning meal. For students on reduced food meal benefits, breakfast will go up to 30 cents and lunch will be 40 cents at North Bend High and Middle schools. Hoffine said students haven’t had to shell out for their breakfasts in three years and lunch prices haven’t gone up since the mid-1990s.
“I think any food costs are going to present a hardship for ... families,” Hoffine said. “It’s a hard decision. It really is. It doesn’t come lightly, that’s for sure.”
Hoffine said the changes also may be felt in Reedsport, Coquille and Myrtle Point, where she oversees school lunch programs. She said she recommended a price increase at those districts as well, but did not know when the possibility will be reviewed by their school boards.
School board members seemed somewhat reluctant to increase the prices, but did so unanimously, blaming the jump in gas prices and taking comfort in the fact that student lunch prices remain relatively low.
“It seems unfortunate, but it seems like we have to do it,” said board member Megan Jacquot.
During Monday’s meeting, Hoffine told the board that one reason why she recommended charging for school breakfasts is because not enough children are participating in the free breakfast program.
“We just had very little participation there,” Hoffine said.
To make the program feasible, the district would need 85 percent participation at both the high school and middle school level, Hoffine said. At North Bend Middle School, about 50 percent of students use the program. She estimated about 35 percent take advantage of it at the high school.
Despite the price increase, the North Bend School District will remain on the lower end of the price scale among districts on the South Coast. According to a meal prices spreadsheet that compares North Bend to other districts, Brookings charges $2 for an elementary school lunch at the high end, while Bandon, Gold Beach and Reedsport charge $1.50.
Hoffine said the increase was necessary so the district wouldn’t end up eating the loss.
“You hate to see it, but the cost of food is all going up,” she said. “I wish it could all be free.”
North Bend school meal
*Breakfasts for elementary students remain free of charge.
* North Bend elementary school lunches rose by $.15 to $1.55.
* North Bend Middle School lunches will increase from $1.75 to $1.90.
* North Bend High School lunch will cost $2.25, up from $2.
* Middle and high school students will pay $1.25 for breakfast.
* Students on reduced food meal benefits will begin paying $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch at the high and middle schools.
*Breakfasts for elementary students remain free of charge.
* North Bend elementary school lunches rose by $.15 to $1.55.
* North Bend Middle School lunches will increase from $1.75 to $1.90.
* North Bend High School lunch will cost $2.25, up from $2.
* Middle and high school students will pay $1.25 for breakfast.
* Students on reduced food meal benefits will begin paying $.30 for breakfast and $.40 for lunch at the high and middle schools.
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