Due to the fact that the federal waivers will expire at the conclusion of the 2022-2023 school year, families will be required to submit an application in order to be eligible for free or reduced-cost breakfast and lunch for their children at school. This is happening at the same time that other school districts are feeling the effects of rising costs and problems with their supply chains.
As a result of these circumstances, Sarasota County will be increasing the pricing of several of the meals that it provides to its students.
School lunches in primary schools were $2.25 in the 2019-2020 school year; they will rise to $3.00 in the following year. In addition to the other adjustments, the price of lunch for kids in middle school will increase from $2.50 to $3.00.
The price of breakfast at primary schools in Pasco County went up by $0.25, while the price of lunch went up by $0.50. The price of breakfast at middle schools has increased by $0.25, but lunch prices have remained the same. Breakfast and lunch prices at high schools were hiked by $0.25 and $0.25, respectively.
Lunch prices for elementary and secondary school students are going up by $0.25 per meal in Manatee County. During the 2022–2023 school year, breakfast will be provided at no cost to pupils at all schools.
The fees at Pinellas County Schools will remain the same, and breakfast will continue to be provided free of charge to all kids. Additionally, it will add additional schools to the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) program. This program makes it possible for pupils who attend schools that satisfy specific requirements to eat breakfast and lunch without having to pay for them.
CEP is open to 174 schools in the district, according to a press release. More than 127,000 children, or about 84% of the total student population, will have improved access to meals as a result of this effort inside the district.
Prior to the implementation of this program, 66 percent of children were eligible for free or reduced-price lunches through a federal application process.
District administrators all around the Tampa Bay region have informed families that in order to qualify for free and reduced-price school meals, an updated application must be submitted. They are also holding out hope that further government financial sources will materialize so that they can be of service.
