Norris School District

SCHOOL LUNCH PRICE INCREASE      A school breakfast and lunch price increase will begin Thursday January 4.  Breakfast will be $1.35 for students and $1.75 for adults.  Lunch prices will be $1.80 for elementary students, $2.00 for middle and high school students, and $2.75 for adults.  Extra milk purchases will cost $0.30. 

The new Norris prices are the result of increased operating costs with the additional Middle School kitchen; more labor intensive food preparation of ‘on site’ cooking, rather than serving prepared foods; food price increases; and the elimination of snack food items, of limited nutritional value, which were profitable sale items at the Middle and High School.

Federal and state regulations prohibit the school lunch program from making a profit.  The price increase is intended to allow the program to not lose money.  Proceeds from lunch sales and state and federal reimbursement all go toward the cost of food, labor, and supplies.  The new prices are comparable to breakfast and lunch prices in area schools.

Free lunches for low income families are reimbursed to the school at the rate of $2.40 each. The schools collect $0.40 for reduced price lunches and are reimbursed $2.00 per meal.  The cost of reduced price lunches will remain at $0.40.

School Lunch & A La Carte Items   There are also significant changes in the a la carte menu.  We will continue to sell a la carte items to students.  However, students will be allowed to purchase a la carte items only after purchasing a regular lunch.  A la carte items are those extras or add-ons that students often purchase.  Students will not be allowed to go through the line and merely purchase dessert items or snack foods in lieu of a regular meal.  They may purchase a la carte items only after purchasing a regular school lunch. 

There are two basic reasons for this change in how students are allowed to make a la carte purchases.

1.      The a la carte items are foods such as cookies, peanuts, beef jerky, soft serve ice cream, and the like.  They do not offer the nutritional value and balance of a regular meal.  We do not want students to be able to purchase these items instead of a wholesome lunch.

2.      When students purchase only these items, the total often exceeds the cost of a regular school lunch.  We want families to have the financial assurance that your child is spending the $2 daily meal charge on the regular school lunch, not a mix-and-match hodge-podge of treats or select side dishes.