by KYW's John McDevitt
The School Nutrition Association, wrapping up its national convention here in Philadelphia on Wednesday (see related story), says the price of elementary school lunches is rising across the country -- up 32 cents on average for the upcoming school year.
But Philadelphia schools are holding the line for now.
On average, it will cost $1.98 for an elementary school lunch in the US. Prices will vary among school districts.
Mary Hill is president of the School Nutrition Association:
"Increasing prices is the last resort. We don't just sit and say we are going to increase prices. That is certainly something we weigh very heavily. And then we look at the pros and cons, and the possibilities of what we will lose and what we will gain."
She says that high food and gasoline prices are among main reasons for the increased prices in school lunch programs.
But not all districts are raising prices. A Philadelphia school district spokesman says that 80 percent of students here get free lunches; the other students pay $2.00, and the cost is not expected to rise for the upcoming school year.
E-Mail Story
Print Story
