School lunch prices going up

Some parents will have to fork over more money for students heading back to school. But it's not to pay for clothes or supplies, daily lunch prices in some school districts will be going up.

Some parents across our area will see an increase between $.05 and $.025 a day. The hike will apply to elementary, middle and high schools.

"Make some good choices okay?" said a school cafeteria worker.

Those choices are becoming more and more expensive for school districts.

"They will be seeing a price increase in food," said Theresa Baker, the Director of Food Services for the Rush-Henrietta School District.

Starting this Fall, districts like Rush-Henrietta, Pittsford and Brighton will be raising the cost of their daily lunch program. Baker says the rise in milk prices is one reason for the hike.

"We've seen a real increase in the price of wheat, dairy and corn, so when the increase is passed onto our farmers it in turn is passed on to us, so we have to pass it on to our students," said Baker.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average price of a gallon of whole milk went up to $3.80 in July, that's up $0.51 since February. Milk experts blame the record prices on milk shortages in Australia and Europe.

In the Fall, parents in Brighton can expect to see a $0.10 increase at the elementary and high school levels. Rush-Henrietta will tack on an extra $0.15 for all three levels and Pittsford is only raising it's elementary lunch price by $0.25.

Paulette Vangellow is the Food Services Director for the Pittsford Central School District, she says if the cost of milk and produce continues to go up, the rise in lunch prices can't be avoided.

"When our subsidies aren't raised and our prices continue to rise, we have to pass it along, we can't absorb it," said Vangellow.

Another reason for the price increase can be contributed to healthier choices that are being offered to students. New this year, many districts are offering transfat-free foods.

Many other school districts like West and East Irondequoit, Greece and Penfield will not be raising their lunch prices in the Fall. Districts with the rate increases have already notified parents.