Food Costs Driving Up School Meal Prices

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I am a Child Nutritoin Director in a school system in North Carolina. 47% of our revenue is generated from a la carte foods to pay for salaries, foods, equipment, rent, indirect costs, etc. (yes we pay to occupy space in our buildings and to have the lights on in our kitchens). I feel this is rediciulous. We receive NO state funding to implement the STATE MANDATED nutrition standards and we are drowning in debt. 85 out of 115 school systems in NC are reporting losses this year (it is probably more by now). In neighboring states the state government ponies up per plate allotments to help school nutrition programs succeed financially and offer HEALTHY MEALS AND A LA CARTE FOODS ACROSS THE BOARD. It is nice to know that polar bears at the NC Zoo will be taken care of with NEW multi-million dollar homes and facilities but NC Children will continue to be hasseled for chip money so that we can pay our bills. The problem lies within our STATE budget not the schools.

Nameless to Keep My Job of NC 1:19PM January 22, 2009

i think that they are depriving the school of good nutrition because they are implieing all of these health codes especially at AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL in DECATUR, ALABAMA 35601 the board has taking all of the excitment out of coming to lunch so i think that they should g back to the way it was .without all this artificial food.

ashley mann of AL 3:00PM November 11, 2008

i am truley decusted qat the tate prices have gone up in the past 10 years or so y it has 2 be some much 4 kids secondary students ok fair enough, but kids who r like 6 - 7 years of age shouldnt have 2 pay so much money just so they can have money to spend money on the school cafeterias these shools have to be careful becasue if they keep going up parents wont pay and there kids will be on pach lunches at this rate i can understand that it is for the school so they can raise money for all the things that are needed for the school but prices should decrease by 10% at least u no. il be happy 2 email u anythnig else that comes to mind and and by the way this is 1 very usful thing of information.

david berton of TX 6:37AM November 11, 2008

kids shouldnt have to pay this much for lunch. at my high school, a slice of pizza is $3 and a small gatorade is $2 its not fair to the kids who come from lower class familys to have to fight for lunch. its hard enough for me, coming from a middle class family, to get lunch everyday. between driving to school, and paying for lunch i stay broke.

jennifer of 11:40AM September 24, 2008

When I was in school, our cafeteria produced two entrees, two vegetables, bread, and milk on the premesis every day. We also had teachers assigned to insure that we ate the food.

Now, my kids pay over $2.00 for Nachos, $3.00 for Pizza. It is mass produced crap with no nutritional value. I can get them the same fare at the carnival or ball game for near the same extortionist prices.

Financially and nutritionally, I have no choice but to pack them a lunch every day. With pathetic nutrition and no effort to insure our kids actually eat the food, it is no wonder that American students lag well behind kids in other countries. How can they learn when crashing from a sugar high and an overload of fat?

Darrell of TX 9:59AM July 17, 2008

With the inflation in China, Our university's meal prices are soaring.Many of students are coming from rural area and they feel cash-strapped facing the high price.Meanwhile,we are aware of the less quantities of the dish. So the government provide financal allowence to us college students,but only once.We find the price are soaring.Us economy has big influnce in most countries all over the word,especially in China.I hope both the two government could take effective steps to improve our daily life and global economy.

Alicia 10:06AM July 13, 2008

It is strange that Steaz Sparkling Tea is sold in schools when it has 135 calories in 12 oz can and 35 grams of sugars from sugar cane. And it is carbonated. A few drops of acerola can get a product, even soda, into children's hands.

It is available in Iowa schools where Senator

Tom Harkin is from. It's ironic because Senator Harkin initiated better nutrition in schools. Empty sugar calories will keep next generation of dentists and cardiologists in Mercedes and B'mers.

Samuel of CT 3:12PM July 12, 2008

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