Wake County Public Schools increased all meal prices by 25 cents at a board meeting May 21.
The price hike will see elementary school lunches rise to $3.25 and breakfasts to $1.50 for the 2024-2025 academic year. Middle and high school students will pay $3.50 for lunch and $1.75 for breakfast.
While the increase aims to address rising food and operational costs for the school district, it adds further strain on families already grappling with food insecurity. Many families rely on school meals as an affordable and nutritious option for their children.
“There are a large and growing number of families in this county and in this region that are facing food insecurity,” said Carol Parish, Director of Communications and Policy at Inter-Faith Food Shuttle on a segment produced by WRAL. “A 25-cent increase in school meals may not seem like a lot, but for some families they’re struggling for every dollar.”
The Food Shuttle recognizes that many families experience heightened struggles during the summer without school meals and school-year programs such as Backpack Buddies and school pantries. The Food Shuttle participates in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), which provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to children and teenagers in low-income communities through federal funding and state administration.
As summer approaches, the Food Shuttle calls upon the community to unite in ensuring that no child goes hungry, especially in light of the recent school meal price increase. By raising awareness and supporting initiatives like the SFSP, we can alleviate the burden on families and provide essential nutrition to children during the summer months.
We also support School Meals for All NC, a campaign dedicated to ensuring every child has access to healthy, nutritious school meals at no cost.