Oconee School Board Approves Lunch Price Increase, School Nutrition Program Bids
The 10-cent increase across the board goes into effect next school year.
Photos
Pdfs
It will cost a little more for lunch at all Oconee County Schools beginning next fall.
At a meeting Monday, the Board of Education approved a recommendation for a 10-cent increase, setting the cost for lunch at $2.10 at the elementary schools, $2.35 for a regular meal at the middle and high schools and $3.35 for a "supreme" meal. Adult meals will be $3.45.
During a presentation last week, School Nutrition Director Susan Elsner said rising food costs and changing nutrition requirements were some of the reasons behind the recommendation. She also said the increase would not affect students on the free or reduced meal plan.
Breakfast prices will remain the same as last school year: $1.45 for students and $1.75 for adults.
Prices for both meals increased in 2011 after having been flat for three years. The cost of breakfast went up by 20 cents and lunch by 25 cents. (See the attached pdf presentation for more backround.)
Also at the meeting, the Board approved the following bids for services:
Small Equipment - Atlanta Fixture - $452,817.23
Disposables/Chemicals - Southeastern Paper - $913,465.12
Food Safety/Sanitation - SFSPac - $46,358.20
Dairy - Mayfield Dairies - extension
Bakery - SaraLee/Earthgrains - extension
General Grocery - USFoodservice - extension
Fresh Produce - Royal Foods - new (RFP Admin: Douglas County)
Stephanie Gross
2:43 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Visit the School Nutrition Program website for free and reduced meal applications. http://www.oconee.k12.ga.us/index.php?module=pagesmith&uop=view_page&id=263
Kath
3:39 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
There should be a picture posted of what the school lunches really look like. If they appeared as the lunch in the photo, I would allow my child to eat them. I can't even stand to walk into our school cafeterias during lunchtime.
Cassie Brown
4:02 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Yeah, the few times I ever visiting the cafeteria at MBES, I never saw a lunch that looked like the one in the picture. One day I was there and the kids were being served 3-bean salad. I don't even eat that myself. So gross.
Stephanie Gross
4:12 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Thank you both for your comments. A file photo accompanies the article as I don't currently have one from Oconee schools.
My daughter isn't in school yet, but I visited Rocky Branch multiple times during lunchtime last semester to mentor a student. Though the meals I saw didn't look like this picture, they didn't look terrible either. I also noticed some teachers with salads on lunch trays that looked good.
When I was in school (a different system in north Georgia) sometimes we were served chicken fries (think chicken nuggets, but gray and grainy). Many of us thought they were gross, but there were some kids that loved them. I wonder if they still make and serve those...
Cassie Brown
4:21 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
MBES has salad bar but it's only for older students and teachers. I think you have to be in at least 3rd grade. My son would love to have salad bar as he eats a lot of salad/raw veggies at home but the school does not allow it. They also do not serve real whole milk which he needs since he is underweight. Most of their breakfasts are pre-packaged frozen stuff. We did some breakfast for K but stopped altogether last year.
I would like to pack a lunch but hesitate because they have nowhere cold to keep them. I've read varying stats that most cold pacs do not stay cold long enough to keep something "safe" from bacterial growth. So it's the old saying, D***ed if you do and d***ed if you don't. I'm really not sure what we'll be doing this year as I'll have 2 in school so it will be $21/week for lunches.
jojo
4:14 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
and less food
jojo
4:20 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
If the school director had her way it would be granola bars and smart water. I do not think she even eats meat,salt,sugar,butter and school food would taste a little better if it had some seasons in it. I have been to most of our schools with my kids and you never see the food nutrition boss eat the school prepared food