Rising lunch prices result of new meal pattern, rising food costs

June 17—It’s been three years since the price of meals has gone up for students and teachers in the Clinton (Miss.) school district.

But now, increasing food and labor costs are necessitating a price increase, said Child Nutrition Director Regina Ducksworth.

“The cost of everything has gone up,” she said in a news release. “We try not to go up on our prices, but with the economy the way it is we have no choice but to increase the price to cover the cost of food.”

Clinton schools use a federally funded, nonprofit food service program, she said in the release, but “we are required to cover the cost of meals.The mandate stems from the federal Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 and the National School Lunch Program.