School lunch goes up 2 bits

Parents can blame the economy for a 25-cent increase in the cost of meals at Douglas County schools, according to district officials.

Director of food services Denise Higgins told school board members on Wednesday that over the last year, the price of milk has increased by 15 percent, apples by 10 percent, oranges by 16 percent, eggs by 31 percent, dried beans and peas by 11.5 percent and wheat by 55 percent.

"Each meal we serve costs more than we make," she said. "The average cost per meal to produce is now $2.89. Average revenue per meal is $2.55. That leaves a 34 cent difference. With 390,000 meals served this year, that adds up to a lot of money, over $100,000."

Higgins said meal programs are nutrition-based, following certain calorie and vitamin guidelines that can't be changed. She said when food prices soar, the district is at a loss to recoup expenses.

"Wheat is the biggie," she said. "The USDA is going to implement a whole grain policy that will be substantially more expensive, seven cents more per hamburger bun."

Higgins said rising fuel costs are also hurting revenue.

"I anticipate fuel to continue to drive up all costs," Higgins said. "Fuel charges of $5 per delivery for produce translates into an additional $2,160 per year."

A drop in the sales of snack and a la carte items has compounded the problem. Higgins said the State of Nevada Wellness Program, implemented last year, has prohibited the sale of certain items students traditionally sought, like regular nonbaked chips, large cookies and Gatorades larger than 12 ounces.

"Following the Wellness Program is good for the students, but it does have a financial impact," she said. "The pieces of meals students would like to purchase don't fit with the Wellness policy."

Chief financial officer Holly Luna said $100,000 was transferred from the general fund to the food services fund last year to shore up the account.

"A 25 cent increase will only add $30,000 to overall revenue," she said.

The school board approved the increase, raising the price of an elementary school meal from $2.25 to $2.50, a middle school meal from $2.50 to $2.75, high school meals from $2.75 to $3 and breakfast meals from $1.25 to $1.50.