GETTYSBURG TIMES (07/19/07): "Lunch prices going up in Upper Adams"

BY JARRAD HEDES

Times Staff Writer

For the first time in nearly three years, Upper Adams School District is raising its lunch prices.

Tuesday night, the school board approved a 25-cent increase in the cost of a midday meal, taking the elementary student lunch to $1.75, the secondary student lunch to $2 and an adult lunch to $3.

“We have not done this in a while,” said Upper Adams Business Manager Mike Lawrence. “I don’t think it is that much to ask for although I am not paying the bill.”

For the 2006-07 school year, the district ended in the red for cafeteria costs and Lawrence predicts the lunch price increase will bring the costs and revenue closer together.

“If we would have increased the cost last year, we would not have come out with a large profit, but it would have been about $4,000,” he said.

Lawrence added that school cafeterias are being urged to serve more fresh fruits and vegetables which is easy to do, just not cheap.

“The costs certainly have gone up in the food stores,” said board member Janet Schroeder.

Board president Brad Hollabaugh said even with the increase, students and faculty are still getting a good deal.

“Where else can you get a healthy meal for $2 or $3?,” he asked.

Milk prices, which are currently 40 cents, will remain the same.

Jarrad Hedes can be reached at jhedes@gburgtimes.com.