Title: Public Schools Face the Rising Costs of Serving Lunch - The New York Times
Headings: Public Schools Face the Rising Costs of Serving Lunch
Public Schools Face the Rising Costs of Serving Lunch
Content: Mr. Goldstein said the goal was “unrealistic.” Image
But Eric Goldstein, who oversees the city schools' food program, said price increases threatened to upend the delicate balance of school food operations. Credit...
Chang W. Lee/The New York Times
“We want to serve the same food for everyone, in the same cafeteria, to have everyone eating together,” Mr. Goldstein said. “ It shouldn’t be that we have to say, this is for this child, and this is for that child, and here’s money to pay for this and here’s money for that.” Then, there is the financial burden that higher meal prices would carry for families whose income lies just above the cutoff line for reduced-price lunches, for which schools can charge no more than 40 cents. ( They cost 25 cents in New York City.) “We could be shooting ourselves in the foot here if we’re not setting prices at a level that parents are able or willing to pay,” said Diane Pratt-Heavner, a spokeswoman for the School Nutrition Association, which represents cafeteria administrators. Cindy Brooks, the food service director in Seymour, a 2,500-student district northwest of New Haven, said she had been closely monitoring the sales of paid meals, which provide the bulk of her revenues, since the 25-cent price increase went into effect. “I’m worried,” Ms. Brooks said. “ A lot of our families are struggling to make ends meet.”